I had exactly the same problem you describe, with my pressure washer. My problem turned out to be the wand (tip end). After sitting all winter, it was a little stiff going in and out for high and low pressure, and after checking thouroughly I found that it was going all the way when I'd switch it to high pressure. A little WD-40 and working the tip in and out a few times freed it up enough to go all the way to high pressure. Just something you can check to be sure the wand is truly on high pressure setting.