Section 4 — Troubleshooting
Commercial-Industrial-Residential Portable Generator System
4.1 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Engine is running, but no AC
output is available.
1. Circuit breaker is open.
2. Poor connection or defective cord set.
3. Connected device is bad.
4. Fault in generator.
1. Reset circuit breaker.
2. Check and repair.
3. Connect another device that is in good condition.
4. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine runs good but
bogs down when loads are
connected.
1. Short circuit in a connected load.
2. Generator is overloaded.
3. Engine speed is too slow.
4. Shorted generator circuit.
1. Disconnect shorted electrical load.
2. See “Don’t Overload the Generator” .
3. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
4. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine will not crank.
1. 10 amp fuse at rear of generator control panel
has melted open.
2. Battery weak or dead.
1. Replace fuse with only an identical 10-amp
replacement fuse.
2. Recharge or replace battery.
Engine will not start; or
starts and runs rough.
1. Dirty air cleaner.
2. Out of gasoline.
3. Stale gasoline.
4. Spark plug wire not connected to spark plug.
5. Bad spark plug.
6. Water in gasoline.
7. Overchoking.
8. Low oil level.
9. Excessive rich fuel mixture.
10. Intake valve stuck open or closed.
11. Engine has lost compression.
1. Clean or replace air cleaner.
2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Drain fuel tank and fill with fresh fuel.
4. Connect wire to spark plug.
5. Replace spark plug.
6. Drain fuel tank; fill with fresh fuel.
7. Put choke knob to No Choke position.
8. Fill crankcase to proper level.
9. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
10. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
11. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine shuts down during
operation.
1. Out of gasoline.
2. Low oil level.
3. Fault in engine.
1. Fill fuel tank.
2. Fill crankcase to proper level.
3. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine lacks power.
1. Load is too high.
2. Dirty air filter.
3. Engine needs to be serviced.
1. See “Don’t Overload the Generator”.
2. Replace air filter.
3. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
Engine “hunts” or falters.
1. Choke is opened too soon.
2. Carburetor is running too rich or too lean.
1. Move choke to halfway position until engine runs
smoothly.
2. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
No Battery Charge DC
output.
1. Battery posts are corroded.
2. Battery cable is bad.
3. Battery is defective.
4. Receptacle is bad.
1. Clean battery posts.
2. Replace cable.
3. Check battery condition; replace if defective.
4. Contact Authorized Service Facility.
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