There are numerous reasons a generator won’t start, and for a non technical user, it’s hard figuring out which one is it when it happens. How do you
resolve this issue which you probably don’t even know how it came about?
The
following discusses the common reasons your generator won’t start and how to resolve them.
following discusses the common reasons your generator won’t start and how to resolve them.
1. DIRTY OR WORN SPARK
PLUG
If your
generator won’t start all of a sudden, it’s possible that the problem is that
the spark plug is dirty or old. Inspect the spark plug for signs of wear or
damage. If the porcelain insulator is cracked, an electrode is burned away or
damaged, or there is heavy carbon buildup at the electrode, replace the spark
plug. If it looks dirty, use some carburetor cleaner to clean it up. While the plug
is pulled, go ahead and spray some carburetor cleaner directly into the cylinder.
generator won’t start all of a sudden, it’s possible that the problem is that
the spark plug is dirty or old. Inspect the spark plug for signs of wear or
damage. If the porcelain insulator is cracked, an electrode is burned away or
damaged, or there is heavy carbon buildup at the electrode, replace the spark
plug. If it looks dirty, use some carburetor cleaner to clean it up. While the plug
is pulled, go ahead and spray some carburetor cleaner directly into the cylinder.
To
determine if the spark plug is defective, use a spark plug tester. You should
see a strong spark between the tester’s terminals when the engine is cranking.
If there is no spark, this indicates that the spark plug is defective and
should be replaced.
determine if the spark plug is defective, use a spark plug tester. You should
see a strong spark between the tester’s terminals when the engine is cranking.
If there is no spark, this indicates that the spark plug is defective and
should be replaced.
2. EMPTY FUEL TANK
Your
generator obviously won’t start when your fuel tank is dry, and this could be
the case with your generator. Check the gas tank to make sure a sufficient
amount of gasoline remains in the tank. Add fresh gasoline when necessary (to
avoid clogs and hard starts, do not use old or stale gasoline. If the gasoline
is older than two months, replace it with fresh gasoline).
generator obviously won’t start when your fuel tank is dry, and this could be
the case with your generator. Check the gas tank to make sure a sufficient
amount of gasoline remains in the tank. Add fresh gasoline when necessary (to
avoid clogs and hard starts, do not use old or stale gasoline. If the gasoline
is older than two months, replace it with fresh gasoline).
3. LOW OIL LEVEL
Some
generators have a built-in oil warning system which shuts the generator down when
oil level falls below safe limit. If your generator shuts down because of low
oil level, it probably won’t start again until you have refilled the oil tank.
generators have a built-in oil warning system which shuts the generator down when
oil level falls below safe limit. If your generator shuts down because of low
oil level, it probably won’t start again until you have refilled the oil tank.
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.
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.
4. CLOGGED CARBURETOR
The
carburetor might be clogged if your generator won’t start. A clogged carburetor
is mostly caused by leaving fuel in the generator for a long period. Over time,
some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker,
stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the
engine from starting.
carburetor might be clogged if your generator won’t start. A clogged carburetor
is mostly caused by leaving fuel in the generator for a long period. Over time,
some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker,
stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the
engine from starting.
If your
carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the
carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the
carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
5. CLOGGED FUEL VALVE
If the fuel
tank is full but no fuel is getting to the carburetor, there may be a problem
with the 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.
tank is full but no fuel is getting to the carburetor, there may be a problem
with the 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 fuel
valve is set to OPEN but the fuel still does not properly flow, you can do two
things. First of all, if there is a vacuum relief valve on top of the fuel
tank, make sure that it has been opened. Secondly, unplug the outlet hose from
the intake side of the fuel valve to see if gasoline is freely flowing or not.
This will help you determine what part of the fuel line (if any) is clogged up.
valve is set to OPEN but the fuel still does not properly flow, you can do two
things. First of all, if there is a vacuum relief valve on top of the fuel
tank, make sure that it has been opened. Secondly, unplug the outlet hose from
the intake side of the fuel valve to see if gasoline is freely flowing or not.
This will help you determine what part of the fuel line (if any) is clogged up.
If there is
an in-line fuel filter between the fuel valve and carburetor, also check it to
make sure it is not blocked.
an in-line fuel filter between the fuel valve and carburetor, also check it to
make sure it is not blocked.
6. DEAD BATTERY
Your
generator may not start using the electric starting system because the battery
is dead. The battery may have
lost its charge
over time due to a lack of use.
generator may not start using the electric starting system because the battery
is dead. The battery may have
lost its charge
over time due to a lack of use.
To resolve
this, simply start the generator using the recoiling starting system to add juice back into the battery.
If a recoil starter is not available
on the unit, you may need to try alternative methods, such as a third-party
battery charger.
this, simply start the generator using the recoiling starting system to add juice back into the battery.
If a recoil starter is not available
on the unit, you may need to try alternative methods, such as a third-party
battery charger.
7. APPLIANCES PLUGGED IN
If you have
your electronic appliances already plugged in before starting the generator,
the generator won’t start.
your electronic appliances already plugged in before starting the generator,
the generator won’t start.
Always make sure all electrical appliances have been unplugged before
starting the generator. You should never have anything plugged into the
generator during startups.
starting the generator. You should never have anything plugged into the
generator during startups.
8. CLOGGED AIR FILTER
Your
generator needs some airflow to run, and a clogged air filter could just be the
reason why your generator won’t start. To check this, simply pull the air
filter and check to make sure it isn’t clogged.
generator needs some airflow to run, and a clogged air filter could just be the
reason why your generator won’t start. To check this, simply pull the air
filter and check to make sure it isn’t clogged.
If it
doesn’t look too bad, you can try just cleaning it. You can try just giving it
a light whack against the floor or a counter-top to try to shake off the dust.
doesn’t look too bad, you can try just cleaning it. You can try just giving it
a light whack against the floor or a counter-top to try to shake off the dust.
If it’s
really clogged up or it looks worn, you’ll definitely want to replace it. Air
filters are also luckily pretty affordable so it’s smart to always have a spare
air filter on hand as well.
really clogged up or it looks worn, you’ll definitely want to replace it. Air
filters are also luckily pretty affordable so it’s smart to always have a spare
air filter on hand as well.
9. WATER IN FUEL TANK
Overtime,
moisture can be absorbed into your generator fuel tank, especially if you leave
your generator or the fuel gallon outside, and this could be the reason your
generator won’t start. When water is added to gasoline it sinks to the bottom.
So this becomes the first thing the engine of your generator receives when you
try to start it.
moisture can be absorbed into your generator fuel tank, especially if you leave
your generator or the fuel gallon outside, and this could be the reason your
generator won’t start. When water is added to gasoline it sinks to the bottom.
So this becomes the first thing the engine of your generator receives when you
try to start it.
You can try
to remove the water in the fuel tank by using gas water remover treatments.
These treatments bind to the water and cause it to mix with the gas and get
burned in the engine.
to remove the water in the fuel tank by using gas water remover treatments.
These treatments bind to the water and cause it to mix with the gas and get
burned in the engine.
10. CHOKE LEVER WRONGLY
POSITIONED
A
wrongly-positioned choke lever could be another reason why your generator won’t
start. When you want to start your generator, make sure the choke lever is set
to close. Once the engine starts to warm up, make it open.
wrongly-positioned choke lever could be another reason why your generator won’t
start. When you want to start your generator, make sure the choke lever is set
to close. Once the engine starts to warm up, make it open.
As soon as
the engine ignites, you can put the choke lever on OPEN/RUN/ON position. If you
were already running the engine for a while before refueling then it might be
warm enough. In that case, you can set the choke lever to Run or Open for
starting.
the engine ignites, you can put the choke lever on OPEN/RUN/ON position. If you
were already running the engine for a while before refueling then it might be
warm enough. In that case, you can set the choke lever to Run or Open for
starting.