Generator Troubleshooting Checklist
- Check the fuel level. You can check the status of fuel in the generator visually. Top up if necessary. ...
- Check the oil level. This can be checked using a dipstick. ...
- Check where the choke level is. ...
- Inspect the spark plugs. ...
- Make sure the low-oil sensor is working, and the ignition coils are functioning. ...
- Unplug any electronics during startup. ...
- Check the battery. ...
- Double-check for clogs. ...
- 1) It's low on oil. ...
- 2) It's out of gas. ...
- 3) The choke lever is in the wrong position. ...
- 4) The fuel valve is closed or clogged. ...
- 5) The carburetor is clogged or air locked. ...
- 6) The spark plug needs to be replaced. ...
- 7) The low-oil sensor isn't working properly. ...
- 8) The battery is dead.
What to do if your generator won’t start?
Before starting the generator, you have to open it then close it when the generator is turned off. If you’re sure there’s fuel in the tank and the generator won’t start, check whether the fuel valve is turned ON or OPEN for the fuel to flow. If, even after doing this it still won’t start, do one or both of these things:
How do I know if my generator is low on oil?
Just breathe easy, and follow these simple instructions to help diagnose your unit’s problems. Check the oil level in the crankcase. Add oil if the level is low. Keep in mind that attempting to run the generator on an uneven surface might cause the low-oil sensor to trigger despite there being enough oil.
Why is there no fuel in my Generator?
If there is an in-line fuel filter between the fuel valve and carburetor, also check it to make sure it is not blocked. If you stored your generator for a long period of time without first draining the carburetor, the odds are high that it may be clogged by old gasoline.
Why is my oil sensor not working on my Generator?
If the generator starts once this has been unplugged, then the oil sensor is not working. Many times, running the engine with this unplugged for several minutes before reconnecting the oil sensor wire will resolve the problem. Otherwise, the engine may require a complete tear-down in order to replace the oil sensor.
How to check if spark plug is working?
Why won't my carburetor get enough air?
How to troubleshoot a recoil generator?
Why won't my generator start?
Why does my generator have a low oil sensor?
What to do if your generator has an electric starter?
Why is oil low on a generator?
See 2 more
How do I know if my generator won't start?
Top 10 reasons your emergency home generator won't startFuel Tank Is Low. Your fuel should be the first thing you check. ... Low Oil Levels in the Engine. ... Dead Battery. ... Cables Are Plugged into the Generator. ... Adjust the Choke Control. ... Clogged Air Filter. ... Dirty Spark Plug. ... Clogged Carburetor.More items...•
What would cause a generator not to start?
One of the most common reasons a generator will not start is due to a battery failure. Often this could be caused by a loose connection or a sulfation build-up (a build-up of lead sulphate crystals on the plates of lead-acid batteries).
How do you force start a generator?
Next: Turning On Your GeneratorTurn fuel valve on. Flip the fuel valve on. ... Turn choke on. Move the choke rod from right to left. ... Turn ignition (or engine switch) on. Many generators require you to flip the switch to turn the engine on. ... Pull recoil cord. ... After the engine starts, move engine choke to “run”
How do you test if a generator is working?
Here are four easy steps to do it:Flip the mainline breaker OFF. ... Listen for the generator to turn on and the transfer switch to click. ... Let your generator run for about 10 minutes. ... After running a test, be sure to turn the mainline breaker ON.
What is the common problem of generator?
Battery failure is the most common generator issue. Batteries wear down with age, providing less and less power as time goes on. Knowing the service life of your generator's battery will ensure you know to replace it before it stops working.
Is there a reset button on a generator?
Reset breakers are located on the control box of your generator along with the main on/off switch and main breakers. Reset breakers protect the circuit from surges. When your generator experiences a surge, these breakers need to be pushed in to be reset.
What to do when generator is not working?
Unplug everything from the generator, turn it on, and press the “reset” button. If it cuts off and the button pops up again, you need a replacement breaker. You should also try running a few small devices, one at a time, from the GFCI outlet. If you can do this, the GFCI isn't the problem.
How do you start a generator that's been sitting?
0:001:11how to START a generator that's been “sitting too long” - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure the gas valve is turned on make sure the choke is on start. And a lot of times there's aMoreMake sure the gas valve is turned on make sure the choke is on start. And a lot of times there's a switch it's got to be turned on to get a spark verify you've got gas.
Is there a reset button on a generator?
Reset breakers are located on the control box of your generator along with the main on/off switch and main breakers. Reset breakers protect the circuit from surges. When your generator experiences a surge, these breakers need to be pushed in to be reset.
How do you unclog a carburetor on a generator?
1:215:05Cleaning the Carburetor in your Generator or Inverter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a small wire carb cleaner and compressed air to clean any gunk out of every hole and the centerMoreUse a small wire carb cleaner and compressed air to clean any gunk out of every hole and the center passageway on this bolt. Use a cotton swab.
Will a bad spark plug cause a generator to not start?
Defective spark plug – Due to carbon build-up or a weakened electrode, a spark plug will degrade over time and be unable to ignite the compressed fuel and air inside the engine's combustion chamber to start or run the gas-powered generator's engine.
How do I know if my generator carburetor is bad?
One of the biggest signs of your carburettor needing attention is that it just wouldn't start. When you start the generator, the engine would turn over or crank without actually starting. This can be due to a dirty carburettor. Another common sign of a faulty carburettor is that of the engine running lean.
How to fix a clogged generator?
To fix this, shut off the fuel valve, and then open the carburetor drain found at the bottom of the carburetor’s bowl. If this still doesn’t work, you can remove the entire bowl from the bottom of the carburetor and clean out any stale fuel. Clean out the main jet (the brass nozzle found in the central stem) with a needle. To avoid this in the future, try to run your generator at least once a month, and never store it for long periods of time without draining the gas tank and the carburetor first. For a video guide on changing your generator’s carburetor, click here.
How to tell if ignition coil is good?
If there is no spark or if the spark appears weak, remove the spark plug and cap. Put the end of the spark plug wire near the engine’s body and pull the recoil starter to check the ignition coil .
How to check if a WEN spark plug is good?
Clean the spark plug using a small knife or a similar tool as needed. Make sure the electrode is properly gapped (check the specifications page of your manual to see the proper gap for your particular model). To test the plug, pull the recoil starter while holding the spark plug’s body to the engine crankcase. If the sparks are strong with a blue color, then the ignition coil is good. If there is no spark or if the spark appears weak, remove the spark plug and cap. Put the end of the spark plug wire near the engine’s body and pull the recoil starter to check the ignition coil. If there are now sparks appearing between the spark plug boot and engine, then the spark plug needs to be replaced. If there are no sparks, the ignition coil may need to be replaced.
How to check if low oil sensor is working?
To check this, disconnect the wire coming from the side of the crank case. This is the wire running from engine’s body into the low oil sensor, see the images below. The location of this wire will vary slightly from generator to generator. If the generator starts once this has been unplugged, then the oil sensor is not working. Many times, running the engine with this unplugged for several minutes before reconnecting the oil sensor wire will resolve the problem. Otherwise, the engine may require a complete tear-down in order to replace the oil sensor.
Why does my electric generator lose charge?
8) The battery is dead. For electric start generators, the battery may lose its charge over time due to a lack of use. If this happens, simply start the generator using the pull starter to add juice back into the battery.
What is the phone number for a generator?
After all this, if you are still having trouble getting your generator started, feel free to give us a call at 1-847-429-9263 (M-F 8AM to 5PM CST) or drop us a message here to talk to our friendly and knowledgable technical support team. Share:
Why is my gas tank full but no fuel is getting to the carburetor?
If the gas tank is full, but no fuel is getting to the carburetor, there may be a problem with the fuel line or fuel valve. The fuel valve controls the flow of fuel from the gas tank to the carburetor. Make sure that this is set to OPEN to allow fuel to flow into the proper channels. If the valve is set to OPEN but the fuel still does not properly ...
1. Low Oil In The Engine
Nowadays, all modern portable inverter generators have a low oil shutoff feature that automatically shuts down your generator when oil levels are low to the engine.
2. Check The Fuel
If you have checked the fuel and made sure all the valves and tubes connecting to the tank are open in case of propane, and your tank is full in case of gasoline, then the uneven surface is the reason.
4. The Choke Is In The Wrong Position
The job of the choke is to regulate the flow of air into the carburetor during startup. If the generator is vibrating strangely and not starting up, then a choke may be the problem.
5. The Clogged Air Filter Needs Replacement
I and my buddies were camping side by side out there in the sub-zero temperature. While I was enjoying the heat from the electric place powered by my Westinghouse iGe4500, my buddy was struggling to start his HONDA EU3000.
6. Cables Are Plugged In The Generator Outlet
Whenever you start your generator, make sure nothing is plugged in the outlets. Cords plugged in can get in the way of your generator startup.
7. The Spark Plug Is The Problem
One of the biggest reasons the generator won’t start is the spark plug. Over time, deposits, and buildup can appear on the spark plug, use a spark plug wrench to remove it.
9. The Fuel Valve Is Clogged Or Closed
The fuel valve regulates the flow of fuel from the fuel tank to the carburetor. First of all, make sure it is set to open to allow the fuel. If the valve is open and still the generator won’t start, then maybe the fuel valve is clogged.
How many spark plugs does a generator have?
The spark plug has the role of igniting the mixture of air and fuel in the piston chamber resulting into small explosions which turn the engine piston and give the engine power. A generator will usually only have one spark plug given its diminutive size compared to that of a car.
How to tell if spark plug is dirty?
To find out if the spark plug is dirty, you’ll have to remove it from the generator then check the lower part. If dirty, clean it with a small knife or other blade. Be careful not to damage it (although they’re quite tough). Avoid cleaning it with water and instead use some petrol to clean the debris off it.
What is the valve on a generator?
The fuel valve is the part controlling the flow of fuel to the rest of the generator and it has a lever to either open or close it. Before starting the generator, you have to open it then close it when the generator is turned off.
What to do if your generator won't charge?
If the generator has a starter coil, use that to start it in the meantime. This will charge the battery back to its usual level and it will work after running the generator for a while. If this doesn’t work, the battery could be dead in that it can’t take any more charging. For such a case, buying a new battery is the only solution.
What is the role of a recoil starter?
The role of the recoil starter is to engage the crankshaft which in turn runs the engine at the start. It may not be properly fitted such that it doesn’t engage the crankshaft correctly. In some cases, it’ll be simply disconnected from the crankshaft. Other times it may be broken inside. The rope for the recoil starter can also be cut or tangled.
What position should the choke lever be on a generator?
Before starting the generator, the choke should lever should be on the CLOSED position . You then have to move it to the OPEN section as the engine starts running. This usually confuses a lot of people since OPEN sounds much easier for when you’re starting the generator and CLOSE for when you’re shutting it down. However, you have to master that at all times.
Why do generators need oil sensors?
The oil sensor is meant to ensure the generator doesn’t ever run without the right amount of oil since the damage to the engine would be irreparable. As such, if it malfunctions at any time, the generator will not work to prevent damage.
How to check if spark plug is working?
You can double-check that the spark plug is working by holding it against the engine’s crankcase while pulling the recoil starter if your generator has one – a working spark plug will produce blue sparks. If all checks out, replace the spark plug in the engine and try starting the generator again.
Why won't my carburetor get enough air?
If adjusting the choke seemed to help, but didn’t solve the problem, your air filter may be to blame. If the air filter is clogged with dust and debris, your carburetor won’t receive enough air for combustion. The air filter is generally easy to access and inspect visually.
How to troubleshoot a recoil generator?
The easiest way to troubleshoot this is to try starting with the auxiliary recoil starter if your generator has one. If that works, you can simply charge up the electric starter battery via the 12-volt DC outlet on your generator once it’s running.
Why won't my generator start?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 reasons your generator won’t start and get you on your way to fixing them. 1. The generator is low on fuel. It may seem obvious, but it’s worth checking whether your generator has gasoline in the fuel tank. If not, that’s a clear reason why your engine would fail to turn over.
Why does my generator have a low oil sensor?
Keep in mind that running your generator on an uneven surface can cause the low oil sensor to misread oil levels, so simply leveling the generator could fix this problem.
What to do if your generator has an electric starter?
If your generator has an electric starter in the form of either a push-button or a remote, the first thing you need to check is whether the battery for the starter is the problem. Just like in a car, if your generator’s battery has run out the electric starter can’t work.
Why is oil low on a generator?
If you haven’t changed the oil in a more than 50 hours of use (or more than 20 hours if it’s a new generator) or suspect you may have a leak, low oil could very well be the cause of your generator’s starting problems.
