Caterpillar INV2000 troubleshooting: 56 symptom-cause-remedy entries from the manufacturer's own service documentation.
Caterpillar INV2000 — full specs, parts & maintenance.
| Symptom | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Will Not Start | Generator switch in the off "0" position | Turn the generator switch to the correct position. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Generator inclined | Move generator to a level position. |
| Engine Will Not Start | No fuel | Fill the fuel tank. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Bad or contaminated fuel | Check the fuel. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Not enough oil in the engine | Check the oil level. If low, add the recommended oil. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Dirty air filter | Clean the air filter. |
| Engine Will Not Start | No spark | Replace the spark plug. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Oil in the combustion chamber | Remove spark plug, turn generator switch to off "O" position, pull recoil starter four times to remove oil from combustion chamber. |
| Engine Runs Rough (no load) | Dirty air filter | Stop the engine and check the air filter. Clean if needed. |
| Engine Runs Rough (no load) | Generator inclined | Move generator to a level position. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Out of fuel | Check the fuel. Fill the tank if necessary. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Not enough oil in the engine | Check the oil level. If low, add the recommended oil. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Dirty air filter | Clean the air filter. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Generator overloaded | Unplug some of the devices. |
| Engine Shuts Down | Vacuum relief valve in off "O" position | Turn vacuum relief valve to on "I" position. |
| Engine Runs Rough (with load) | Dirty air filter | Stop the engine and check the air filter. Clean if needed. |
| Engine Runs Rough (with load) | Generator overloaded | Unplug some of the devices. |
| Engine Runs Rough (with load) | Defective device plugged in | Unplug defective device. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Does Not Provide Power | Generator overloaded, overload light is on | Turn off and unplug all electrical devices, shut down the engine, wait 10-15 minutes and start the engine, connect fewer or lighter electrical loads. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Does Not Provide Power | Bad connection | Stop the engine and check the connections. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Does Not Provide Power | Defective power cord | Replace the cord. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Does Not Provide Power | Defective device plugged in | Unplug defective device. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Old or contaminated fuel | Drain and refill if necessary. |
| Engine Will Not Start | No fuel at the carburetor | Make sure the generator switch is in the on "I" position. Check the vacuum relief in the fuel cap. If plugged clean the vacuum relief. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Not enough fuel to the engine | Make sure the needle valve is closing properly. Clean or replace as needed.; Inspect the fuel nozzle. Clean if needed.; Inspect the float. If the float is damaged or sticking, repair or replace as needed. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Engine flooded | Wait 5 minutes.; Remove and clean the spark plug. Suction out fuel or let fuel evaporate before reinstalling spark plug. |
| Engine Will Not Start | Cylinder pressure | Inspect the cylinder head bolts to make sure they are properly torqued to 40±3 N·m. Tighten if needed.; Check the valve clearance and seats. Adjust or repair as needed.; Inspect the cylinder head gasket. Replace if damaged.; Inspect the cylinder head and cylinder block surfaces for flatness. Repair or replace if out of tolerance. |
| Engine Will Not Start | If the engine still will not start | Rebuild the engine, replace the engine, or consider replacing the unit. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Dirty air filter | Check the air filter. Clean or replace as needed |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Generator inclined | Move generator to a level position. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Air in fuel line or fuel line clogged | Check the fuel line. Clear or replace as needed. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Not enough fuel to the engine | Make sure the needle valve is closing properly. Clean or replace as needed.; Inspect the fuel nozzle. Clean if needed.; Inspect the float. If the float is damaged or sticking, repair or replace as needed. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Engine Smart Control switch on | Turn the Engine Smart Control switch off. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Carbon built up in combustion chamber | Remove the cylinder head and clean if needed. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | Cylinder pressure | Check the valve clearance. Refer to the Maintenance Specifications chart for the proper value. Adjust or repair as needed.; Inspect the cylinder head gasket. Replace if damaged. |
| Engine Starts But Runs Rough or Does Not Have Enough Power | If the engine still has low power | Rebuild the engine, replace the engine, or consider replacing the unit. |
| Engine Shuts Down | If the engine still shuts down | Rebuild the engine, replace the engine, or consider replacing the unit. |
| Engine Making Unusual Sound | Knocking | Check the engine temperature. If the engine is running too hot, refer to the section on overheating.; Make sure the fuel is good and the proper rating. Drain and refill the fuel tank if necessary.; Check the valve clearance. Refer to the Maintenance Specifications chart for the proper value. Adjust or repair as needed.; Check for carbon deposits in the cylinder. Clean if needed.; Inspect the piston and piston rings. If the piston or rings are worn or broken, replace the defective part.; Inspect the piston pin and piston pin hole. Replace if worn. |
| Engine Making Unusual Sound | If the engine still makes an unusual sound | Rebuild the engine, replace the engine, or consider replacing the unit |
| Engine Overheating | Low Oil | Check the oil. Refill the oil or change the oil as needed. |
| Engine Overheating | Exhaust pipe blocked | Check the exhaust. If blocked, clear the blockage. |
| Engine Overheating | Debris in cooling fins | Remove the debris. |
| Engine Overheating | Cylinder or piston or piston ring worn | Inspect cylinder, piston, and piston rings. Replace if needed. |
| Engine Overheating | Connecting rod deformed | Inspect connecting rod. Replace if needed. |
| Engine Overheating | If the engine still overheats | Rebuild the engine, replace the engine, or consider replacing the unit |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Generator overloaded, overload light is on | Turn off and unplug all electrical devices, shut down the engine, wait 10-15 minutes and start the engine, connect fewer or lighter electrical loads. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Circuit breaker is open | Close the circuit breaker. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Bad connection | Stop the engine and check the connections. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Defective power cord | Replace the cord. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Defective device plugged in | Unplug defective device. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Bad inverter control connection or defective inverter control | Check the voltages and connections. Tighten any loose connections. Replace the inverter control. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Poor stator or rotor lead contact | Check the contacts. Tighten or replace as needed. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Poor panel, meter, or socket contact | |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Engine Smart Control switch on | Turn the Engine Smart Control switch off. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | Defective winding or winding connection | Check each winding. Check connections to ground. Tighten any loose connections and replace any defective parts. |
| Engine Runs, But Generator Provides No Power or Low Power | If there is still no power or low power | Rebuild or replace the generator, or consider replacing the unit. |
Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.
Documented causes: Generator switch in the off "0" position; Generator inclined; No fuel; Bad or contaminated fuel. See the table for the matching fixes.
Documented causes: Generator overloaded, overload light is on; Circuit breaker is open; Bad connection; Defective power cord. See the table for the matching fixes.
Documented causes: Dirty air filter; Generator inclined; Air in fuel line or fuel line clogged; Not enough fuel to the engine. See the table for the matching fixes.