Why does my Kobalt KST 2540-06 weed eater stop every minute?

Question

My Kobalt KST 2540-06 weed eater will only run for a minute and then stop. I release the trigger and then squeeze it again and it starts running again only to shut off after about a minute. No matter how many times I do this it keeps stopping after about a minute. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Likely, there is a thermal switch, which shuts the motor if it gets hot. However, the motor should run quite cool unless there is undue friction.

• Look for something wound around the motor shaft. Some possibilities:

  • Some of the nylon cutting line
  • Grass trimmings
  • Debris such as a plastic bag

• Check if the line reel is rubbing on the guard.

• Check that the right type of line is used.

• Check if there is damage to the reel, causing it to rub.

See the manual for cleaning out debris.

Note that this trimmer has a 5-year warranty -- take it back, if applicable.

Answer 2

if you want root-cause why, it's probably because it's a cheap Kobalt trimmer is a good answer, and aligns with my experience...

on a black and decker cheap trimmer, that I got as a company gift from a catalog, did the same exact thing as you describe, since day 1 of use. As I contemplated bringing the trimmer to work and throwing it across the office, I decided there was nothing to lose so after pulling it completely apart, the root cause for me was the brushes in the motor head had a serration on them. Why I do not know, faulty manufacturing in china I guess. Serrations like what you would see on a pair of pliers. The fix was to use a round file, like what you would use on on chain saw chain, to profile the brush head where it contacts the motor armature so it fits and makes good contact. Doesn't need to be exact, just better than what it was. After doing that, trimmer has been flawless for last 5+ years until I run the battery dead.

so if everything else seems good, if it's worth it pull the motor head apart and look at the brushes, if the ends are flat with serrations that's the problem. I assume from the brevity of your question and that you have never replied to any of the existing resposes you are smart enough to have checked the obvious things.

Answer 3

Its probably a bad cell in the muti cell battery , mine does the same thing but if i put in another battery it runs fine no stopping and starting.

Answer 4

The heavy line will do it. Mine does the same thing when I put a thicker gauge line on it. If I trade it back out to the "recommended" line it runs fine lol.