Help with Generac Generator

[Lloyd Cimprich]

I am trying to get my dads Generac 4000XL working for him but would
appreciate any advice as to where to start as I am new to these things.

The two obvious problems it has are:

1. It starts fine but shuts down after about 15 seconds.

2. At idle it has power to supply a light, my dremel and even seems to want
to run my skill saw but rather than throttle up under load it simply bogs
down when a heavier load like the skill saw is added.

I have found that I can prevent it from shutting down if I disconnect the
connector leading to what appears to be an oil pressure sender. Before I did
this I checked the oil level to make sure there was plenty. Oil actually
came out the fill hole so I guess it must have been over filled.

I think my dad took it apart to try and fix it but is not sure it was
assembled properly. Also my dad thinks that he burned out his radial saw
trying to operate off the malfunctioning generator.

If anyone can suggest possible causes for my problems I would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Bughunter]

I am trying to get my dads Generac 4000XL working for him but would
appreciate any advice as to where to start as I am new to these things.

The two obvious problems it has are:

1. It starts fine but shuts down after about 15 seconds.

2. At idle it has power to supply a light, my dremel and even seems to
want
to run my skill saw but rather than throttle up under load it simply bogs
down when a heavier load like the skill saw is added.

I have found that I can prevent it from shutting down if I disconnect the
connector leading to what appears to be an oil pressure sender. Before I
did
this I checked the oil level to make sure there was plenty. Oil actually
came out the fill hole so I guess it must have been over filled.

I think my dad took it apart to try and fix it but is not sure it was
assembled properly. Also my dad thinks that he burned out his radial saw
trying to operate off the malfunctioning generator.

If anyone can suggest possible causes for my problems I would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks

I had a very similar starting problem with an XL5000 that I acquired with
the purchase of a new home. It did not seem to have many hours on it, but it
would start, idle for a few seconds than stall out.

I removed the wire to the low oil shutdown plug in the engine block, and
now it starts.

I did a quick test with a handheld grinder, and it seemed to run that load
ok, but since then I have not used it at all.

Of course, I checked the oil level before I disconnected the sensor. I
assumed that the low oil sensor was bad. Replacements are available, but so
far I have not bothered to get one.

Don't know about your other problem.

 

[Mawdeeb]

I am trying to get my dads Generac 4000XL working for him but would
appreciate any advice as to where to start as I am new to these things.

The two obvious problems it has are:

1. It starts fine but shuts down after about 15 seconds.

2. At idle it has power to supply a light, my dremel and even seems to want
to run my skill saw but rather than throttle up under load it simply bogs
down when a heavier load like the skill saw is added.

I have found that I can prevent it from shutting down if I disconnect the
connector leading to what appears to be an oil pressure sender. Before I did
this I checked the oil level to make sure there was plenty. Oil actually
came out the fill hole so I guess it must have been over filled.

I think my dad took it apart to try and fix it but is not sure it was
assembled properly. Also my dad thinks that he burned out his radial saw
trying to operate off the malfunctioning generator.

If anyone can suggest possible causes for my problems I would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks

This generator should have a switch on the panel called Idle control I
think. It senses if a load is present on the generator and drops the
idle when no load is present. When I had mine serviced the tech didn't
know about the switch and set the idle to low to run when auto idle was
active. Generac does carry the service manual for this machine.

Just a thought

J. Vrzal

 

[Chris Hill]

I am trying to get my dads Generac 4000XL working for him but would
appreciate any advice as to where to start as I am new to these things.

The two obvious problems it has are:

1. It starts fine but shuts down after about 15 seconds.

2. At idle it has power to supply a light, my dremel and even seems to want
to run my skill saw but rather than throttle up under load it simply bogs
down when a heavier load like the skill saw is added.

Replace the oil pressure sensor and check the air filter.

 

[Lloyd Cimprich]

Thanks to all for the excellent advice and suggestions.

I did download a manual from Generac site but could not find one for my
exact model.

From what I have read as well as advice here and my testing I think this
what I have to do:

1. Remove oil and replace to proper level with 30 wt oil.

2. Start engine with Idle control off and no load.

3. If the engine shuts down then verify adequate oil pressure and disconnect
sender.

4. Find a way to adjust the rpm to 3600 with Idle Control System off.

3, Check voltage at 3600 and it should be about normal 110 - 120.

4. Activate Idle Control to verify RPM drop (ECO mode).

5. Add load to verify RPM rise back to 3600 as well as normal voltage.

I am not sure how I can verify RPM but maybe I can use one of my old auto
Dwell/Tach meters.

In any case I am beginning to think that the unit is basically OK and at
worst the Idel Control and/or Oil pressure sensing systems may be dead. But
if they are it seems I can still let run at a steady 3600 and maybe replace
sender or add a mechanical oil pressure guage as I have an old one
somewhere.

Thanks.