The DC-RET is a generator-set controller. It is used on generator sets from Kohler, including the 12RES and 18RES.
| Code | Meaning | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| AF | Auxiliary fault input shutdown | Not used. | |
| AF | Auxiliary fault input shutdown — Indicates a shutdown initiated by pushing the emergency stop switch. (TRES models only) Not used on RES models. | Check the position of the emergency stop button. (TRES models only) | |
| AF | Auxiliary fault input shutdown — The generator set shuts down and will not start when the fault is active (input is grounded). | Input from a customer-supplied switch that closes when the fault is active. | Check the cause of the auxiliary fault. |
| AF | Auxiliary fault — Indicates a shutdown initiated by the emergency stop switch or a tripped circuit breaker. (TRES models only) | Shutdown initiated by the emergency stop switch or a tripped circuit breaker | Check the position of the emergency stop button. (TRES models only) |
| AF | Auxiliary fault — Not used on the model 8.5/12RES. | ||
| AF | Auxiliary fault — Not used on these models. | ||
| F1 | Aux. winding fuse F1 blown | Check fuse F1 and replace if blown. If fuse blows again, check stator | |
| F1 | Generator set stops suddenly — Auxiliary winding fuse (F1) blown | Auxiliary winding fuse (F1) blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| F1 | Generator set stops suddenly. | Auxiliary winding fuse (F1) blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| F1 | No AC output — Auxiliary winding fuse (F1) blown | Auxiliary winding fuse (F1) blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| F1 | No AC output. | Auxiliary winding fuse (F1) blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| F2 | Blown fuse F2 (ADC-RES) | Replace fuse. If fuse blows again, disconnect the leads one at a time to identify the cause of the blown fuse: Lead 70C at the fuel valve; Lead IGN at the ignition module; Lead 71A at the starter relay; Leads FP and FN at the rotor. Repair or replace the component causing the blown fuse. If fuse continues to blow and the previous step did not identify the cause, check the continuity of leads FP and FN and the leads from the P14 connector. Replace any bad leads. Use a pin pusher to remove leads from the connector, if necessary. If replacing the leads does not solve the problem, replace the controller circuit board. | |
| F2 | Blown fuse F2, relay interface board (RIB) | Replace fuse. If fuse blows again, disconnect the board leads one at a time to identify the cause of the blown fuse: Lead 70A at the fuel valve; Lead IGN at the ignition module; Lead 71A at the starter relay; Leads FP and FN at the rotor. Repair or replace the component causing the blown fuse. If fuse continues to blow and the previous step did not identify the cause, check the continuity of leads FP and FN and the leads from the P14 connector. Replace any bad leads. Use a pin pusher to remove leads from the connector, if necessary. If replacing the leads does not solve the problem, replace the RIB. | |
| F2 | The battery is discharged, but the charger has power and is operating. — Blown fuse. | Blown fuse. | Check the 5-amp fuse F2 (5A-T) inside the battery charger and replace if necessary. Check inline fuse F4 and replace if necessary. |
| F2 | The generator set does not crank — Fuse F2 blown | Fuse F2 blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| F2 | The generator set does not crank. | Fuse F2 blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| F3 | Blown fuse F3, controller | Replace fuse; if fuse blows again, check circuit and components. | |
| F3 | Controller LED display is off | Controller fuse (F3) is blown. | Replace the fuse. If the fuse blows again, contact the distributor/dealer. |
| F3 | Generator set stops suddenly — Controller fuse (F3) blown | Controller fuse (F3) blown | Replace the fuse. If the fuse blows again, contact an authorized distributor/dealer. |
| F3 | Generator set stops suddenly. | Controller fuse (F3) blown | Replace the fuse. If the fuse blows again, contact the distributor/dealer. |
| F3 | The generator set does not crank — Fuse F3 blown | Fuse F3 blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| F3 | The generator set does not crank. | Fuse F3 blown | Replace the fuse. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if fuse blows repeatedly. |
| HB | High battery voltage warning — Fault code is displayed if the engine starting battery voltage rises above 16 VDC for a 12 VDC system or above 30 VDC for a 24 VDC system for more than 10 seconds when the engine is not running. This fault condition does not inhibit engine starting. The fault condition clears when the battery voltage returns to a voltage within the limits for more than 10 seconds. | Battery rating and condition; battery charger operation. | Check the battery rating and condition. Check the battery charger operation. |
| HB | High battery voltage warning — Fault code is displayed if the engine starting battery voltage rises above 16 VDC for a 12 VDC system or above 30 VDC for a 24 VDC system for more than one minute when the engine is not running. This fault condition does not inhibit engine starting. The fault condition clears when the battery voltage returns to a voltage within the limits for more than 10 seconds. | Check the battery rating and condition. Check the battery charger operation. | |
| HB | High battery voltage warning — Fault code is displayed if the engine starting battery voltage rises above 16 VDC for more than 30 seconds when the engine is running. Not operative during the engine crank cycle, this fault condition does not inhibit engine starting. The fault condition clears when the battery voltage returns to an acceptable level. | Check the battery rating and condition.; Check the battery charger operation. | |
| HE | High engine temperature shutdown — Shutdown occurs if the engine coolant temperature exceeds the maximum temperature for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active after the engine reaches the crank disconnect speed. | Check for blocked air inlets and exhaust outlets. | |
| HE | High engine temperature — Shutdown occurs if the engine coolant temperature exceeds the maximum temperature for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active after the engine reaches crank disconnect speed. | High engine temperature | Check for blocked air inlets and exhaust outlets |
| HE | High engine temperature — Shutdown occurs if the engine coolant temperature exceeds the maximum temperature for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active after the engine reaches the crank disconnect speed. | Check for blocked air inlets and exhaust outlets. | |
| High engine temperature | Engine runtime, hours | ||
| K3 | Flash relay (K3) on RIB (ADC 2100) | Check flash LED on RIB; Check fuse F2 and troubleshoot RIB | |
| K3 | Flash relay (K3) on controller board (ADC-RES) | Check fuse F2; Check flash LED1 on controller board. If LED1 indicates power to K3 but relay does not operate, replace controller circuit board | |
| LB | Low battery voltage warning — Fault code is displayed if the engine starting battery voltage falls below 11 VDC for more than 30 seconds when the engine is not running. Not operative during the engine crank cycle, this fault condition does not inhibit engine starting. The fault condition clears when the battery voltage returns to an acceptable level. | Check the battery rating and condition.; Check the battery charger operation.; Charge or replace the battery. | |
| LB | Low battery voltage warning — Fault code is displayed if the engine starting battery voltage falls below 8 VDC for a 12 VDC system or below 16 VDC for a 24 VDC system for more than 10 seconds when the engine is not running. This fault condition does not inhibit engine starting. The fault condition clears when the battery voltage returns to a voltage within the limits for more than 10 seconds. | Check the battery rating and condition; Check the battery charger operation; Charge or replace the battery. | |
| LB | Low battery voltage warning — Fault code is displayed if the engine starting battery voltage falls below 8 VDC for a 12 VDC system or below 16 VDC for a 24 VDC system for more than one minute when the engine is not running. This fault condition does not inhibit engine starting. The fault condition clears when the battery voltage returns to a voltage within the limits for more than 10 seconds. | Low battery voltage | Check the battery rating and condition; Check the battery charger operation; Charge or replace the battery |
| LCL | Low coolant level | Not used on air-cooled models. | |
| LCL | Low coolant level — Not used on air-cooled models. | ||
| LO P | Low oil pressure shutdown — Shutdown occurs if a low oil pressure condition exists for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active 30 seconds after the engine has reached crank disconnect speed (30 second inhibit). Note: The low oil pressure shutdown does not protect against low oil level. Check the oil level at the engine. | Check for leaks in the lubrication system.; Check the oil level and add oil if the level is low. | |
| LOC | Loss of coolant | Not used on air-cooled models. | |
| LOC | Loss of coolant — Not used on air-cooled models. | ||
| LOP | Low oil pressure shutdown — Shutdown occurs if a low oil pressure condition exists 7 seconds after the engine has reached crank disconnect speed. Note: The low oil pressure shutdown does not protect against low oil level. Check the oil level at the engine. | Low oil pressure condition; leaks in the lubrication system; low oil level. | Check for leaks in the lubrication system. Check the oil level and add oil if the level is low. |
| LOP | Low oil pressure shutdown — Shutdown occurs if a low oil pressure condition exists for more than 5 seconds. This function becomes active 30 seconds after the engine has reached crank disconnect speed (30 second inhibit). Note: The low oil pressure shutdown does not protect against low oil level. Check the oil level at the engine. | Check for leaks in the lubrication system.; Check the oil level and add oil if the level is low. | |
| LOP | Low oil pressure shutdown — Shutdown occurs if a low oil pressure condition exists for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active 30 seconds after the engine has reached crank disconnect speed (30 second inhibit). Note: The low oil pressure shutdown does not protect against low oil level. Check the oil level at the engine. | Check for leaks in the lubrication system; Check the oil level and add oil if the level is low. | |
| LOP | Low oil pressure — Shutdown occurs if a low oil pressure condition exists for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active 30 seconds after the engine has reached crank disconnect speed (30 second inhibit). Note: The low oil pressure shutdown does not protect against low oil level. | Low oil pressure | Check the oil level at the engine; Check for leaks in the lubrication system; Check the oil level and add oil if the level is low; Check low oil pressure switch connections and operation; Check the oil pump and lubrication system |
| LOP | Low oil pressure — Shutdown occurs if a low oil pressure condition exists for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active 30 seconds after the engine has reached crank disconnect speed (30 second inhibit). Note: The low oil pressure shutdown does not protect against low oil level. Check the oil level at the engine. | Check for leaks in the lubrication system. Check the oil level and add oil if the level is low. Check low oil pressure switch connections and operation. Check the oil pump and lubrication system. | |
| Locked rotor | The generator set also shuts down on OC if no engine rotation is sensed during cranking. Shuts down 3 seconds after the fault is detected. | ||
| Low battery voltage | Crank cycle status | ||
| OC | Locked rotor — The generator set also shuts down on OC if no engine rotation is sensed during cranking. Shuts down 3 seconds after the fault is detected. | Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. | |
| OC | Overcrank shutdown — Shutdown occurs after 3 unsuccessful starting attempts. The crank cycle is set for three starting attempts of 15 seconds cranking and 15 seconds rest. | Check the fuel supply, spark plug, and battery.; Check for loose connections.; Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. | |
| OC | Overcrank shutdown — Shutdown occurs after 3 unsuccessful starting attempts. The crank cycle is set for three starting attempts of 15 seconds cranking and 15 seconds rest. The generator set also shuts down after 1 crank attempt if no speed signal is sensed. Shuts down 1 second after the fault is detected. | Fuel supply, spark plug, or battery problem; loose connections. | Check the fuel supply, spark plug, and battery. Check for loose connections. Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. |
| OC | Overcrank — Locked rotor. The generator set shuts down on an overcrank fault if no engine rotation is sensed. Shuts down 3 seconds after the fault is detected. | No engine rotation sensed | Check mag pickup connections and operation; Check for a locked rotor |
| OC | Overcrank — Shutdown occurs after 3 unsuccessful starting attempts. The crank cycle is set for three starting attempts of 15 seconds cranking and 15 seconds rest. | Overcrank | Check the fuel supply valves and pressure; Check spark plug and battery; See Troubleshooting Chart, generator set cranks but does not start |
| OC | Overcrank — Shutdown occurs after 3 unsuccessful starting attempts. The crank cycle is set for three starting attempts of 15 seconds cranking and 15 seconds rest. The generator set shuts down on an overcrank fault if no engine rotation is sensed. Shuts down after 3 seconds of cranking or 1 second after the fault is detected. | Check the fuel supply valves and pressure. Check spark plug and battery. See Troubleshooting Chart, generator set cranks but does not start. Check mag pickup connections and operation. Check for a locked rotor. | |
| OC | Overcrank — The generator set shuts down on an overcrank fault if no engine rotation is sensed. Shuts down after 3 seconds of cranking or 1 second after the fault is detected. | No engine rotation sensed | Check mag pickup connections and operation; Check for a locked rotor |
| OF | Overfrequency shutdown — Shutdown occurs when the governed frequency exceeds 110% of the system's frequency setpoint for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active 10 seconds after engine start (10 second inhibit). | Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. | |
| OF | Overfrequency shutdown — Shutdown occurs when the governed frequency exceeds 110% of the system’s frequency setpoint for more than 5 seconds. This function becomes active 10 seconds after engine start (10 second inhibit). | Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. | |
| OF | Overfrequency — Shutdown occurs when the governed frequency exceeds 110% of the system's frequency setpoint for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active 10 seconds after engine start (10 second inhibit). | Overfrequency | Check system frequency setting (parameter UU) on controller; Measure output frequency and adjust, if necessary; Check governor system condition and operation |
| OF | Overfrequency — Shutdown occurs when the governed frequency exceeds 110% of the system’s frequency setpoint for more than 5 seconds. This protective becomes active 10 seconds after engine start (10 second inhibit). | Check system frequency setting (parameter UU) on controller. Measure output frequency and adjust, if necessary. Check governor system condition and operation. | |
| OS | Overspeed shutdown — Shutdown occurs if the engine speed exceeds 110% of the normal running speed for more than 0.3 seconds. | Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. | |
| OS | Overspeed shutdown — Shutdown occurs if the engine speed exceeds 115% of the normal running speed for more than 0.3 seconds. | Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. | |
| OS | Overspeed shutdown — Shutdown occurs if the engine speed exceeds 115% of the normal running speed for more than 1 second. | Contact an authorized distributor/dealer for service if problem continues. |
Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this controller’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing. Aggregated from the service documentation of generator sets built on this controller.