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 your esolve 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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Always make sure all electrical appliances have been unplugged before 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
warm enough. In that case, you can set the choke lever to Run or Open for starting.