Why Your Generator Won’t Start and What to Check First
Your generator is an important piece of equipment that provides you with the power you need during an outage. Because of this, it has to be reliable. If your generator suddenly refuses to start, it could be any number of common issues. Use this checklist to determine the cause of the malfunction.
Fuel Issues
Check your fuel gauge first. It’s easy to overlook an empty tank in the first few hectic moments of a power outage. Then, make sure the fuel valve is in the On position.
Stale gas will keep your generator from starting. It can take as little as 30 days for gas to go bad. If yours has been sitting for a while, you need to drain and replenish it. A fuel stabilizer can also help eliminate this issue. If the engine tries to start but won’t catch, old fuel may have caused buildup in the carburetor.
Low Oil Shutdown
Your generator may not be starting due to a safety sensor. Modern generators feature a sensor that keeps them from starting when the oil is low. This helps protect the engine. Check your dipstick, and add more oil if necessary.
Battery Issues
If you have an electric start generator, there may be an issue with the battery. If it has drained while sitting idle, the generator may crank slowly or fail to crank at all. Check for corroded terminals, too. They’ll have a white, powdery buildup on them that you can remove with a wire brush.
Air and Ignition Problems
A dirty air filter will choke the engine. Take the filter out, and check to see if it’s clogged. If so, replace it with a new one.
Check the spark plug as well. A fouled spark plug will have a black carbon buildup on it. If the tip is wet, it indicates flooding. Clean the spark plug or switch it for a new one.
Pay attention to the choke position. If your generator’s engine is cold, the choke should be closed. Move it to “Open” as the engine warms up.
Electrical Safety
Check your electrical panel for tripped circuit breakers. Reset them, and try starting the generator once more.
If you’ve made your way through this checklist and your generator still won’t start, ask a professional for help. They can inspect your system, diagnose the exact cause of the malfunction, and make any necessary repairs. Call Henninger Electric in Cedar Falls, IA to schedule expert generator service so that you can be ready when the next power outage hits.
