Why generators show "engine does not crank": 284 documented causes and brand-specific fixes, compiled across 18 manufacturers.
Battery is low or terminals are dirty
3 brands- DynaGen: Clean terminals and re-charge battery
- DynaGen Technologies: Clean terminals and re-charge battery
- GSC: Clean terminals and re-charge battery
Battery dead
3 brands- Cummins/Onan: Check battery per Checkout [A] and recharge or replace (NOTE: Centrifugal switch S1 and diode CR11 can cause battery discharge. See Checkouts [C] and [H]); Check battery per Checkout [A] and recharge or replace; Check battery charger operation per Checkout [C]
- Doosan: Check battery per Checkout [A] and recharge or replace; check battery charger operation per Checkout [C]
- archive.org: Check battery per Checkout [A] and recharge or replace; Check battery charger operation per Checkout [C]; Check battery per Checkout [A] and recharge or replace; see Checkout [C]
If engine cranks at set but not at remote control panel, fault is due to PC board P2/J2 connection not secure
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Ensure that wiring harness jack connections are fully seated to PC board
- Cummins/Onan: Ensure that wiring harness jack connections are fully seated to PC board
- Marquis: Ensure that wiring harness jack connections are fully seated to PC board
If engine cranks at set but not at remote control panel, fault is due to open circuit in remote control
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Check for continuity and correct if circuit is open
- Cummins/Onan: Check for continuity and correct if circuit is open; Check for continuity and correct if circuit is open.
- Marquis: Check for continuity and correct if circuit is open
If engine cranks at set but not at remote control panel, fault is due to remote start switch faulty
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Replace remote start control switch
- Cummins/Onan: Replace remote start control switch; Replace remote start control switch.
- Marquis: Replace remote start control switch
If engine cranks at remote control panel but not at set, fault is due to faulty S1 switch
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Replace PC board A1
- Cummins/Onan: Replace PC board A1; Replace S1 switch
- Marquis: Replace PC board A1
Insufficient voltage for cranking due to battery not charged
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Check condition of battery and recharge or replace
- Cummins/Onan: Check condition of battery and recharge or replace; Check condition of battery and recharge or replace.
- Marquis: Check condition of battery and recharge or replace
Insufficient voltage for cranking due to terminal connections loose or dirty
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Clean and tighten all connections at battery, K1 start solenoid, and starter motor
- Cummins/Onan: Clean and tighten all connections at battery, K1 start solenoid, and motor; Clean and tighten all connections at battery, K1 start solenoid, and starter motor
- Marquis: Clean and tighten all connections at battery, K1 start solenoid, and starter motor
K11 does not energize
3 brands- Cummins/Onan: Test K11 per Checkout [H] and replace if bad; Test per Checkout [D] and replace if bad
- Doosan: Test per Checkout [D] and replace if bad
- archive.org: Test per Checkout [D] and replace if bad
Insufficient voltage for cranking due to battery cable too small
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Increase cable size
- Cummins/Onan: Increase cable size
- Marquis: Increase cable size
Voltage present at start solenoid terminals when S1 is placed in START position, fault is due to K1 start solenoid not grounded
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Tighten solenoid bracket mounting screw
- Cummins/Onan: Tighten solenoid bracket mounting screw
- Marquis: Tighten solenoid bracket mounting screw
Voltage not present at start solenoid terminals, fault is due to open circuit between K1 relay and control PC board
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Check for continuity and correct if circuit is open
- Cummins/Onan: Check for continuity and correct if circuit is open
- Marquis: Check for continuity and correct if circuit is open
Voltage not present at start solenoid terminals, fault is due to defective control PC board
3 brands- Bgm/Nhm: Replace control PC board
- Cummins/Onan: Replace control PC board
- Marquis: Replace control PC board
Battery cables not tight
2 brands- Cummins/Onan: Check battery; Check battery. Are battery cables tight?
- archive.org: Check battery; tighten battery cables.
Start disconnect adapter P.C. board faulty
2 brands- Cummins/Onan: Replace start disconnect adapter P.C. board.
- archive.org: Replace start disconnect adapter P.C. board.