7 Most Common Generator Failures

"Guille" of Florida Power House, Generac Generators Elite Dealer, candidly advises us of the most common Gen errors. Some simple issues mentioned can save us some cash!

[@athos5014]

Bro your standing by a air cooled they go up to 26 kw those aren’t liquid cooled

[@johnbaptist7476]

Hi I have my generator about 10 years now . It is whole house one . On 8/13/21 , we got a crazy surge and since then I do have the positive current on all fuses but only less than half of my house get electercity what should I check on the fuse panel ? Thanks for your response 😊

[@mikepruss7299]

My Generac 16KW unit went down on low voltage caused by a bad voltage regulator which was originally a part of the display panel but was found to be a problem and now it is a seperate unit attached to the chasis. It failed the next week and the cause was bad brushes. These were replaced and everything works $780 later. Damn...

[@philliphall1010]

How do I fix the RPM Sensor issue?

[@permanentlypatriotic]

I've got a LP 17Kw generac that has an underspeed error. I'll put a 20 amp draw on it and it bogged down and shuts off with under speed error. Any recommendations?

[@mark97213]

My Stand-by Generac whole house generator battery keeps dying. Replacing with a new battery results in the same dying battery (3 volts). Is this more due to a faulty voltage regulator or the actual charger with in generator?

[@creativemanagement5921]

I really appreciate this video!!! thank you so much

[@ILkaterlyn]

Great video thanks, what do I top off coolant thing with?

[@johngonsalves4221]

50/50 mix

[@junjuguilon2572]

rpm sensor failure, will that cause an under speed error message?

[@idessaoutlaw]

Please do a video on how to replace the oil pump on a 20KW Generac. Mine has only 41 hours and has always been serviced properly, with the 5W30 Generac oil and filters. I have it set to exersize every sunday night for 15 minutes since it was installed in 2012. This past Sunday night it started, and ran a few seconds, then died. I checked the control panel, which read low oil pressure as the cause. The engine is full of new clean oil as always, so I installed a tee and a oil pressure guage on the engine where the oil sensor is located. I manually started the engine, and there was no oil pressure, so I killed it imediately. I went online and read about the bad design of the oil pump and its plastic drive gear, which is total piece of crap due to the way it is just poorly molded around a small metal part of the pump shaft, with no bolts, nuts, rivets, or fasteners to secure the gear, which should have been made of steel or brass...anything but plastic. I bought a new oil pump along with the seals and gaskets needed to do the job. I am a 60 year old certified pipe welder, and a good mechanic also. I do all my own repairs on all my equipment and vehicles for 50 years now.. I think I will have my machinist friend build a new steel gear and replace the plastic junk, or maybe mount an external electric oil pump and plumb it in...or shitcan the engine for a better one without any plastic gears, or a whole new industrial grade water cooled unit even... If I would have known about that bad design , I would never have bought it. Generac should do a RECALL on all the plastic geared oil pumps, but I doubt they ever will. I would appreciate a video on the best way to replace the oil pump, so I can get it back online at least...while I research my next new replacement standby generator, that will run more than 41 hours before it falls apart.

[@savagefire9554]

great information 🖒

[@creativemanagement5921]

I can't find the location of the MPU sensor because it's Troubleshooting in A Generac guardian Series Rpm sensor loss???Does anyone know where's this sensor located in this unit & I wasn't lucky to find it,I already put it a part

[@tyronebcookin]

I have the 12kw air cooled Generac. Changed the battery 2 months ago, everything going fine. A few weeks ago it quit working. No lights are on. I pulled the battery and my trickle charger says its all good. No charge needed. Put the battery back in. Nothing. Checked the fuses that are shown on top. They are good. I am in the South so no big freeze days or hurricanes lately. Mine has the button you hold down for 20 seconds or so to crank but absolutely nothing happens. Is there an internal fuse I need to look for? Or maybe a loose wire somewhere? Terminals are cleaned and the battery is new. It appears something electrical has gone wrong but I can't tell what it is. Usually, I get the green light next to the system ready. Right now, no lights at all. ANY suggestions? It's natural gas too...if that helps.

[@Justsaying.]

Exact same problem on 17kw Natural Gas unit. No leds,No Display have power coming to the unit Battery OK

[@jimrussell5016]

I have a Generac QT04524ANAN, 45kw generator. I am in need of a water pump. I cannot find a part number. Is there any reason an automotive water pump for a 2.4L Mitsubishi will not work?

[@chaospbr1]

#1 issue I run into in the field is improper line sizing or fuel delivery in general. Make sure your technician/plumber is experienced with these systems and what they require to operate properly.

[@jray8704]

mitchell richards 🙏🏾 amen brother. Gotta watch those BTUs

[@otisevans7488]

My hold house generac standby generator smart management module (SMM) is not working and my air condition is not working. Do i need to replace the module? How can i fix this problem?

[@georgewallacejr5644]

Yes like to see a video on how to change plugs and set the valve on 22kw general

[@johnriley3661]

i have a new generac guardian 11KW that won't crank says low batt & 1505 trouble code no RPM tac signal nothing wrong with starter has anyone had this problem

[@rudyadan4806]

I would like to see what all those things are. This video was very helpful

[@michaeldmcclendon8125]

My Generac started up when the power went out but wouldn't power the house . I checked all breakers and nothing was tripped. All I had was change oil and filter warning?.

[@csplitts]

Had very same problem a week ago. With generator off I opened transfer switch and there was one of two little wires which came off - this one on right side that is all it was!!

[@henrikrosendahl5140]

Yup - it was the battery - thank you for posting.

[@spinapex2469]

Whoa. I want to move to wherever county this spirit still lives.

[@erroldavis2983]

My 16 KW has an issue where the red light is on and I cannot adjust the control panel, the board is not responding at all . Seems it reads off and i have no way to re set it. What’s my next move??? HEEEEEELPPP!!!

[@rockystelone21]

3600 rpms vs 1800 rpms Air cooled vs liquid cooled....which is it? From what I read Generac parts when they fail it's either out of warranty or the parts are not available at that moment.

[@rupe53]

It's pretty rare that a Generac part is not available, although your local dealer may not stock it depending on the age of the unit.

[@rockystelone21]

@@rupe53 generac has a history of bad customer service when come to fixing a unit within the warranty

[@rupe53]

@@rockystelone21… Lets read between the lines for a moment. Generac doesn't do repairs, it's the dealers. What I see as the problem is Generac will give anyone a dealership if they can sell 6 - 10 units a year, which means most of the dealers are fix-it shops and electricians. Yes, there's a minimum standard for technicians, and every dealer must have one, but that doesn't mean a small dealer will send a qualified tech or drop everything to tend to your needs. That's where the problem is. I know because my dealership is large enough that we get calls from the factory to fix what others can't. All we do is generators, and LOTS of them. If I had to guess, our staff probably services at least 50 units a day, with 15 techs. At that size we have the factory's attention when we need it, and seldom get pushed aside when we need something under warranty.

[@rockystelone21]

@@rupe53 thanks for clarifying that for me.

[@raymondmorales8252]

rupe53 the same thing happens here in Puerto Rico according to the technician who installed my standby gas generator who has installed over 3000 units of different brands and types including diesel and gas powered. But luckily this is not the case for my Champion generator since there are always plenty spare parts available for them, also according to him they are twice more reliable than the Generac and Honeywell brands but for some reason the mayority of the youtube videos are only for the Generac brand.....🤷‍♂️

[@stephenmarkham1082]

What would be the problem if the generator runs in manual but not auto? Any suggestions?

[@mikepatel6323]

Last year hurricane sally hit my home in AL and the power went out at 11p.m. and my Generac 22kw started and ran for 6days 24/7. You have to shut it down 24 hrs to check oil. If it was not in Auto do you think I would go out in rain & 120 mph wind to flip transfer switch manually. The answer is no I would not alive to answer your question.

[@boknows8936]

Got guardian propane generator, worked for inspection, moved in last Sat not working, got flashing 'over speed-no rpm sense if flashing' any help appreciated thanks

[@thelittleguysoutoftexas421]

ziller electric has a really good forum with a lot of information to assist in trouble shooting. Sounds like it could be the battery or starter or crank sensor. just going off of what we have dealt with in the field. hard to tell based off of the error. could search the alarm code and might be able to find the trouble shooting guide

[@boknows8936]

Dave Chalifoux thanks, will pass info along, im thinkn battery too, ttyl

[@tamabinkley3839]

What do you do if it won’t turn off after a power outage

[@user-xo8dl2uk7i]

Can a sealed battery work

[@escalus417]

What does an asterisk mean next to "Ready to Run" ?

[@bude8234]

It has not run the self test after the time / date was changed. After it runs a self test, the star will disappear. It is informational only.

[@jray8704]

Green is good bro. Ready to run also displays info for that panel

[@garvinjohnson437]

Wat is code overcrack 1100 means please

[@joelgarcia8923]

hey brother my battery keeps dying in Less than a month. what can I do for such an issue?

[@Bibbyhero]

Joel Garcia I think the charging unit for the battery needs to be replaced.

[@jkustockaphobia2421]

Bad battery charger

[@Taterhead3e]

I HAVE A 2001 50KW GENERAC,,NATURAL GAS V6 ENGINE,, THAT KEEPS GETTING OVERSPEED WARNING,,ANY IDEAS ,,RANDOM NO CRANK,,AND SOME TIMES WHEN RUNNING IT WILL ALL OF THE SUDDEN REV UP AND GO DEAD FROM OVER SPEED

[@matibenai]

What cause gas generator to over flow gas ? What the reason for building presume in the gas tank ?

[@Blak676]

Mati BenAvi check gas pressure at the utility regulator.

[@dhansel4835]

Air cooled Generac generators go up to 22 kw. Anything over that are liquid cooled. I have installed a 20 kw air cooled unit. Just had it serviced today with a new battery, oil and air filter and synthetic oil and new spark plugs. It starts up like a new one, runs the whole house like nothing has happened. I'm sure glad I chose Wired Electric here in Houston. They do a great job on sales and service.

[@johnathonwood5523]

Maybe when you wrote this that was the case, but now, in 2024, ac gens go up to 26kw

[@dhansel4835]

I know. My original post was 5 years ago. Thing are changing.@@johnathonwood5523

[@edmondandrada]

Please give me idea why my generator won't transfer if I switch the selector transfer its not working no power shows to my monitor, the generator still running..

[@veganlvl5202]

edmund Andrada if you have no loss of power you can’t back feed your house.

[@mickeyflanagan4019]

I have a 20k and it ran great for 10 hours yhen just slowed down and quit. It will start and run for 2 mins but then it slows and quits again. Any ideas? Its air cooled so i dont think there is any coolant.

[@tonyjordan1320]

10 hrs.? That gen is still brand new, did you figure out what the problem was? I just had a 26k installed 12-23 so I'd appreciate a heads up in case this happens to me....

[@mickeyflanagan4019]

@@tonyjordan1320 it was the Stepper Assembly/ Stepper Motor. Another $600 out the door. Plus no electricity when the power was out for 4 days. It was just past the warranty of course. Has to borrow a buddies cheap portable to run the basics in the house. Also, make sure it's installed far enough away from the house and/or vents. Ours almost killed us when he installed it too close to a dryer vent. Good thing we had carb detectors. It run great every Sat for the 10 min maintenance until it was under the stress and we actually needed it. Now I have paid to move it and paid to fix and haven't been saved by it once out of 3 power outages. I'm less than impressed. Good luck finding a service guy when the power is down for 3 days. Haha. I'm sure yours will be great. Just think about a backup for that backup generator.

[@jimwoodward4243]

Will not crank Battery good new starter any ideas

[@trendinglevel884]

I enjoyed the way you explained your dancing moves 😉😉😉😂😂😂😂

[@jimpann]

Homeowner user error alert! After completing an A service on the unit I put the fuse back in but forgot to turn the breakers back on!!! Big Dummy!!! Luckily I figured it out and it did not hurt my pocket book, just my pride, LOL.

[@Blkgoat]

what about when it starts and runs for 10 seconds on auto shuts off and starts up again over and over

[@mikepruss7299]

I had this problem with the low voltage situation/bad brushes on the excercise run. See above

[@Blkgoat]

@@mikepruss7299 I ended up just changing over to a new 16k for the owner Seems that the 15k gensets has an issue with the alternator or armature that has a 1500-2000 dollar price tag to fix and no warranty so I just changed over for 3500 to a 16k

[@mikepruss7299]

After the voltage regulator was changed out, the next time my excercise cycle started, the generator ran for several minutes and then shut down. While I was wondering what the hell was going on as it should have run for 12 minutes it restarted. What the f--K? After 2 or 3 minutes it shut down again. Again, WTF? Then it restarted again and shut down after 2 minutes this time showing the low voltage alarm again. I called for service and they discovered that the one of the two brushes had failed. Hope this helps...

[@kerry4951]

I want to buy a standby genny but all I have been reading are negative reviews on the Generac brand. I dont want to buy a headache. Lots of complaints on the Generacs so I hope they soon get better.

[@seanseanseanseansean]

They are fine. I have several. They break no more often than other brands.

[@mikepatel6323]

Do not listen just get on they are good with 10 yr. P/L warranty now.

[@DetroitHomeInspector]

What about a Generac generator that will not shut off when on auto??? Tech wants to sell us a new one, I am thinking it is just a sensor.

[@turbogti13]

Sad a video like this needs to be made...MAYBE if Generac, Honda and the others would hold their shitty parts suppliers accountable there would be less failures. -signed, the guy with the failed rotor after only 65hrs of use (failed right after warranty ran out of course) ps-these dealers are all just as responsible because they don't stand up for the end users, but they get your $ twice between the sale and the repairs so why would they...

[@ernied2737]

I was about to look into one of these for my Houston area home. But did not realize there was so much maintenance required or that so many things could fail or need replacing. Think I'll just keep my gas powered generator I bought new and only I used for 14 hours back when Ike hit us. I've turned it over twice a year w fresh gas, ran it til empty then used Stabil in gas tank til next time I run it. Kept us ok running just a small window AC unit, the fridge and some house lights. Had to go hunt for gas couple days later but found some pretty quick.

[@thelittleguysoutoftexas421]

save your money and don't get one of these Generacs. Fixing these hunks of junk was supposed to be an extra thing to do when not busy with my primary duties at work and repairing these things has become a full time job (job security). I have replaced fly wheels for days (currently have three damaged ones in the back of my pick up truck) four more to replace in a week when parts come in. The starters suck, mag pick ups randomly needing to be replaced, controllers arent cheap and SOMETIMES that keeps the unit from running right which is a joke. Replaced brushes last week on one that shouldn't of needed them, two literally fell out after replacing a flywheel. One issue I'm currently dealing with is under voltage which looks like a stator issue. Not generacs fault on that one, just an invasion of mud dobbers. we have about 50 units in the field to power our equipment, didn't expect to see all these issues. I hear Kohler is pretty good, don't know how true it is

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

who ever has the cheapest parts wins the sale ... When your on THAT side of the table, you spend as little as possible to make it work... Then sell for the most you can, the rest is up to the customer ... by that time the warranty is over and the cost is on you...

[@toddgp3012]

@@ernied2737 I know your comment is from 6 years ago, but installed a 15Kw Generac myself back in 2004 when the in-laws who moved in needed oxygen all the time. The generator ran fine until last year with only replacing batteries and changing oil. I even ran the battery line using jumper cables into the basement and have a car battery to start the thing up, and I don't have to replace the battery every two years! I live in Maryland and winters can be tough on batteries.

[@boathemian7694]

Radiator cap on a air cooled Koehler? Lol.

[@lourdesrodriguez3455]

conseguir orientacion reparar. en PR.

[@wesleyhorton6458]

Generator does not start on auto or shut off automatically

[@ericmorrison1133]

I would just like to add something I found out by accident. ... My Mothers Generac did not start last winter when needed. We tried to start it manually but it wouldn't start. After all summer I decided to look at it again. It said rpm failure and change oil and filter. Before I tried to start it again, I pulled the 7.5 amp fuse and checked it. After I put it back in, I tried to start it. It cranked about 10 times. I stopped, then cranked it again and it was trying to turn over, I stopped and on the 3rd try it took off. I let it run 15 min. to charge the battery back up some. After seeing this video, I realized that when I removed the fuse and put it back, that it must have re-set the rpm sensor. Keep this in mind if yours won't start manually.

[@rupe53]

You can reset any faults by reading the book. Turn switch to off then hit "enter" to clear the fault. (you are supposed to correct the problem first) At that point start it manually to check your work then place the unit in auto if you feel it's fixed. Any unit that's been sitting for several months usually needs extra cranks to get started.... and running the set does NOT charge the battery. Charging is a function of the controller and a good battery will charge via the internal utility connection. BTW, do yourself a favor and replace the battery on a schedule instead of waiting for it to fail. I suggest 3-4 years at most. I learned from experience. Been doing this for over 20 years.

[@cyborg1117]

thanks mine just did that in Chicago, we had -50 wind chills and wind, my battery compartment was full of snow blowing in, I thought my battery was frozen. im getting new battery today , I got the rpm sensor error to clear, not trying to start it until I put in new battery today. running 5 30 mobile one, I also ordered the winter kit oil and battery warmer..will put that on too, hopefuuly just battery, and not something else, I will try that today too, I have to pull that fuse to take battery out anyway. tried to crank it when still cold just went click,click,click and back to rpm sensor failure.hopefully this works

[@rupe53]

@@cyborg1117… You can confirm a battery problem by using a volt meter. If it drops below 10 volts when trying to start then the battery is NG. That cold weather kit is the cat's ass and fairly easy to install, although you may want to pull the fusses in the transfer switch to make the connection. They are 240 volt so only use insulated pliers and watch your fingers. If you haven't got any insulated pliers then sneak a zip tie around the fuse and use lineman's pliers to pull via the zip tie. What you are trying to avoid is the mounting screw BEHIND the fuse. You wont believe the arc you can draw from 240 volts to the grounded cabinet screw. BTW, a fully charged battery will not freeze. (well, wont freeze any place a human would want to live)

[@PappaDanTrucking]

tell us about the last common failure all the other we should have delt with the last one must say we can not fix it with out a call to you

[@daymonlindsey8150]

Good Lord it's like owning another car.

[@tommybenefield3143]

Didn't say shit about the air cooled gets! Only reason I watched!

[@harmonica2008]

explain what needs to be done it your problem is in step #7

[@blisshavenfarm1427]

the mag pick up can be adjusted. the correct tolerance is in the service manual. they make a break out harness to check voltage on the mag pickup also...

[@johnriley3661]

Battery is good also

[@georgetinc9578]

Fuel Plenum.....

[@13612]

After reading these comments, I don't want one of these overpriced fail when you need them generators. Better off with extension cords and a reliable construction generator like a Honda that you can use anywhere if need be.

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

Fail for making a video in PORTRAIT mode ... Turn your phone horizontal .. !!! It sucks looking at 2 huge black bars on the sides of my laptop .. otherwise some of that info is common sense things to check .. especially being a mechanic myself ..

[@hesnotracing1390]

Damn, was this video shot through a coke bottle ?

[@donaldhall4696]

my Generator run fine, but has low voltage. One lead has 114V the other has 112V. There should be 120V out of both leads.

[@veganlvl5202]

Donald Hall you never get a true 120.

[@veganlvl5202]

Have you never tested anything?

[@heidiholiday1879]

Bro can't hear you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@garvinjohnson437]

Number 7 just saying its not going to fire

[@alicisse76]

show us were it is my boy

[@cayrick]

reason 5, 6 show that the world may be free of polio but not morons.

[@cheryljune1603]

My generator will not go off

[@erinocean3845]

Kohler generators don't have any of these problems

[@nandocm5343]

It's all lies the system is faulty.. 3 yr owner here power outtage in sE Texas than generator didn't even budge.

[@tjshively01]

Nevered answered ANYTHING

[@boathemian7694]

Lame

[@paulcook3878]

Stay away from Generac. I lost 2 mother boards in 2 years costing $1000.00 each. Generac does not stand behind its product and didn’t offer any reason for the 2 failures nor did they offer any compensation for the repairs. Beware of Generic.

[@twinturbo3470]

change your battery every 2 years......your out of your mind

[@cyborg1117]

what usually causes the rpm sensor failure?

[@johnnypartain3461]

No voltage

[@johnnypartain3461]

At least on that model. The bigger ones have a magnetic pickup.

[@creativemanagement5921]

What do you mean no voltage?is the Generator isn't reproductive in voltage?