E25RCIM starter parts

[cosmo1]

Hi everyone am having a problem with the motor were by the starter rope was not recoiling and as per normal set off today from wharf and motor cut out and went to restart but rope was not retracting so rowed back in and brought home and have traced it back to starter lock out cable/plunger now i presume this is in effect so that you cant start it in gear but the cable seems to of stretched some what on mine after 30 odd years and is not disengaging.now at the moment i have disconnected it at the pulley assembly and my Q is should i leave it disconnected,should i replace it or what else should i look at please