Generator Will Not Start, See What The Professionals Do

• Battery failure: The obvious causes are a flat battery, dead cells, battery acid builds up on the terminals  , a dirty or bad battery clamp connection, a faulty alternator not charging the battery , fan belt not tight and slipping and can cause an engine squeal noise. may be time for a new battery – check its voltage and do a dead cell test. Do this by removing the covers from each cell and get some one to press the start key . shine a torch into each cell if one bubbles the battery is dead and needs to be replaced.
• If you hear a click click when starting your engine and it wont start or the engine won’t crank over . This could be the starter motor is faulty or the battery or connection is dirty and your not getting enough voltage to your starter motor check the battery failure remedies in this blog. if the battery lead is hot it also could be faulty.
• Ran out of fuel:  Generator fuel tanks are stationary. Unlike a moving vehicle that has if diesel fuel sloshing around its fuel tank. Generator fuel tanks have no movement so this may cause the fuel to become stagnant and may cause the gauges to stick in a position until they break free. So it may say half full but it also could be fully empty.
• Controls not in auto:  If the generator has just been tested or serviced check to make sure the main control switch has been left in the off/reset position.
• Low coolant levels:  Look for obvious external water leaks and look for coolant puddles,  a faulty radiator cap letting water escape as it the engine build up pressure , and water escaping out the overflow pipe. If no obvious external water leaks. You may an internal water leak. Check your oil levels. A lot of the late model engines a wet liner motors  check out our blog on  Wet Liners.
• Low coolant temp alarms: Low coolant temp alarms will let you know that you have lost all of the coolants or the levels are low, check all the hoses and radiator for leaks.
• High fuel level alarms: The alarm should activate when the fuel tank reaches between 90 and 95 percent capacity. This lets the person fueling the tank know when they should stop filling. There is normally nothing wrong with the generator when this alarm activates. On rare occasions, the external temperature can cause expansion of the fuel will cause the alarm to activate. This will usually occur on an extremely hot summer day.
• Air in the fuel system: Check fuel lines for cracks, check where the fuel line connects to the injector or injector pump for leaks also check inspect fuel filters for fuel leaks as the low pressure and leak will cause the suction of air. Low fuel can also cause the lift pump to suck fuel and air, faulty lift pumps,  cracked diaphragm can pump air into the fuel lines. you will also see a fuel leak from the tell tale hole in some lift pumps.
• Not sucking fuel : you could have a faulty lift pump, worn lift pump lift arm, worn camshaft journal lift pump lobe. no fuel in fuel tank, blocked fuel filter, your electric fuel pump may have a blown fuse or a bad connection or no longer works.