Why generators show "engine stops unexpectedly": 23 documented causes and brand-specific fixes, compiled across 12 manufacturers.
Fuel tank empty.
3 brands- Cummins/Onan: Fill with fresh fuel.; Refill.
- Doosan: Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace parts necessary.
- generatorpartspro: Refill, Water temperature high. Add water.
Empty fuel tank.
2 brands- Cummins/Onan: Refill fuel tank as often as needed to prevent running out of fuel.
- generatorpartspro: Refill.
Fuel tank empty
2 brands- Cummins/Onan: Fill with fresh fuel; Refill
- Doosan: Refill
Empty fuel tank. Defective ignition system.
2 brands- Cummins/Onan: Refill. Check the ignition system. Re- pair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not grounded.; Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not grounded.
- D.W.Onan: Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not grounded.
Empty fuel tank, Defective ignition system. Fuel pump failure.
2 brands- Cummins/Onan: Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not grounded.
- Onan Electric: Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not grounded.
Empty fuel tank. Defective ignition system. Fuel pump failure.
2 brands- Garretson: Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not grounded. Repair or replace.
- NEC: Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not grounded. Repair or replace.
Fuel tank empty. Defective ignition.
1 brand- Cummins/Onan: Fill with fresh fuel. Check ignition system.; Réfill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace parts necessary.
Fuel tank empty, Fuel pump failure, High water temperature, Defective ignition
1 brand- Cummins/Onan: Refill, Repair or replace, See symptoms for engine overheating, Check the ignition system. Repair or replace parts necessary
Black smoky exhaust normal condition with overload.
1 brand- Cummins/Onan: Reduce load to within rated capacity. If smoky condition continues, stop unit and investigate.
Fuel tank empty, Transfer Pump failure, Safety switch operated (where used)
1 brand- Cummins/Onan: Refill, Repair or replace, Correct the overheating or lubrication failure. Press reset switch
Check the ignition system; Repair or replace parts necessary
1 brand- generatorpartspro: Refill; Check the ignition system; Repair or replace parts necessary
Empty fuel tank. Refill. Check the ignition system. Repair or replace as needed. See that the STOP button lead is not 5 founded. Defective ignition system. Fuel pump idilure. Repair or replace.
1 brandFuel tank empty, Defective ignition, Dull metallic thud if not bad may disappear after few minutes operation if bad increases with load
1 brand- Cummins/Onan: Refill fuel tank, Check and repair or replace parts of ignition system as necessary, Replace unless one of the next two remedies permanently corrects trouble
Out of fuel
1 brand- Allis-Chalmers: 1. Fill fuel tank with specified fuel and prime the fuel system. 2. Check fuel system. 3. Correct or replace affected parts. 4. Replace inoperative parts.
Restricted fuel supply
1 brand- Allis-Chalmers: 1. Fill fuel tank with specified fuel and prime the fuel system. 2. Check fuel system. 3. Correct or replace affected parts. 4. Replace inoperative parts.