Generator 1 Second Run Issue

[MangoMike]

After reading Gordon's woes, I've seen to develop my own. Before I place the call the Kohler thought I would try the brain trust.

2000 Marathon H3, Kohler 20kw, Yanmar Engine.

Oil and coolant levels right on.

Starts and runs for 1/2 to 1 second like a champ. Then immediately dies. Absolutely not a fuel starvation issue as I've had plenty of experience with that.

It will run perfectly if I keep the GEN START button on the dash pushed in. Finger off and it stops immediately. And no, the starter is not grinding away during this process.

With some help from Trukman I unabled the Auto Start to remove that from the formula.

Where is a good point to start looking?

Thanks for any advice.

Mike

[GDeen]

Wow - you must have ESPN or something Mike. I just posted the favorable outcome of a trip to a Kohler service center while you were posting this.

Mine was a governor or speed control setting problem. I could see that also being a potential issue with your symptoms. If after starting, the speed control takes over and is not sending the proper fuel mix it could kill the engine immediately. Mine was sending too much fuel apparently. Pure backside extraction but could be plausible.

[MangoMike]

Gordon,

The more you learn the less you know. Thanks for another check point.

m

[Danss]

I had same problem with Power tech generator and it was the solenoid failing. It was the one on the Generator that activated when you shut generator down with the switch on the dash. Very inexpensive part. dan

[Alek&Lucia]

Dan,

Can you give us the part #, and where you got the replacement,

Alek

[Danss]

It was put in by Parliment and I assume they got at local Auto parts house but I do not have a clue as to the part number. Sorry. Dan

[MangoMike]

Kevin Erion wins the Jerk Chicken Dinner via parcel post for his correct diagnosis of the problem.

Failed Injector pump fuel solenoid.

yanmar-2230.jpg
This is the solenoid removed.

yanmarhole-2232.jpg
Side of the injector pump. You can put your finger in the hold to manipulate the fuel valve to see if the engine will run. I have to admit I didn't try this, but saw the tech from Kohler succesfully make it happen.

yanmarattach-2236.jpg
This is with the solenoid in place. This is now an internal solenoid setup.


On the older gensets this was an external setup and you could see the actuator arm extend from the solenoid into the side of the ejector pump to verify it was working. On my unit w/ the internal setup you had no way of knowing if the solenoid was working or not.

[Kenneth Brewer]

Gordon,

The more you learn the less you know. Thanks for another check point.

m

What Mango said. Thanks.

[MangoMike]

Kohler installed a new solenoid today, which they swore was the problem.

No go - so Kevin send back the Jerk Chicken.

Will post results after they repost on Tuesday.

[Jerry Winchester]

Maybe it's the power going to the solenoid? It would act the same, but changing the unit wouldn't matter.