Tony,
Did you remove the high pressure hose?
On my Karcher there is a valve in the body that falls out if you do? Looks like a nylon bullet and spring?
It sounds like the high pressure trigger valve in the head has stuck/fallen out
If not, go to a site like espares.co.uk, select your machine on the karcher area, look on the left side for parts diagrams, select cylinder head/valves etc? and go from there. If you are competant to strip it , go ahead, if not see a man who can. The diagram may be all you need?You are looking for debris, damaged o rings/valves etc.
Keep in mind the cost of parts over a new machine however.
t.r.services, July 2009