Generator will not start.

Jeff Delbuono

Jeff Delbuono

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2018
1,126
Edison New Jersey
Boat Info
1998 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer
Engines
5.0 efi w/ alpha 1 gen 2 drives
I just got a 98 sundancer. I was trying to start thr generator and it will not start. I changed the fuel/water seperator weeks ago. After cranking a couple times i checked the fuel filter and it is empty. Pictured is my set up. Is that a fuel pump?. When i crank the genny t start it just ckicks. Any help would be awesome
 

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That's a solenoid and I believe they are known to stop working (ie. Not open). Have you tried giving it a few taps with the switch on and then crank it?
 
The genny is cranking. When i put my hand on the solenoid i can feel a click. It has a knob on front that has a arrow. On / off on solonoid. Tried pointing at both but nothing. Does that solinoid pull the gas like a fuel pump
 
Nope. The solenoid is the on/off for gas flow to the generator. The generator's fuel pump is mounted on the frame of the generator. If you follow the fuel hose....you will find it. Which fuel filter did you check?
 
The fuel / water seperator. Its mounted to it
 

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The first time I changed fuel/water separator On my Kohler 5ECD, same thing, would not start. Pulled the separator back off, filled it with clean fuel, reinstalled, and she fired right up.

Bennett
 
Make sure both engine switches are on. My boat -if the engine switches are not on genny will not start. I think the switches override the fuel solenoid.
 
The solenoid opens to allow fuel through when the ignition is on and shuts when ignition is off.
You can check to see if the coil is working on the solenoid by holding a small screwdriver against it with ignition on feeling for a magnetic pull.
This will tell you if coil is good.
The screw is a bypass if the solenoid fails.
If you look closely at it it should say normal and bypass with an arrow pointing at normal.
you can turn the screw 180 degrees clockwise to bypass and see if it gets fuel.This will confirm solenoid is NG

You didn't say which generator you have.
If its a westerbeke try starting it from generator switches
See if you hear the electric fuel pump coming on in preheat mode.
This closes the choke and turns the fuel pump on in preheat.
 
I did not have engine switches on. I did not know ya had to. Gonna pull fuel seperator and fill with gas to prime. Then turn on switches to both motors and give it a shot. I have a kohler 4esz
 
If u look at my pic. I do not have normal or bypass. I got on and off
 

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I would be shocked if engine switches need to be on as fuel solenoid for the gen has nothing to do with the engines.

Fill the separator with fuel and she should fire right up.

Bennett
 
Also check the fuel line coming from the fuel tank pickup for the genset for a shutoff. On my 95 300 there was a shutoff so you could change the fuel water separator without spilling fuel.
 
Let me know if you were successful Jeff.

I also have a problem with my Westerbeke generator on my 2002, 360. It starts no problem but shuts down as soon as I release the warm up switch. It runs fine as long as I hold the switch in. I also get an alarm on the Sea Ray monitor system as soon as I turn on the generator, even before I try to start it. It appears to be one of the sensors but I don’t know which one and don’t know why the monitoring system gives me a generator alarm. We have owned the boat for 6 years and never looked at the CO sensors or replaced them.

Suggestions or help from anyone is appreciated.
 
By-pass all of your sensors. If the generator keeps running you have found your problem. Now remove the sensor by-passes one at a time until the generator stops to narrow down which sensor is causing you grief. Replace faulty sensor.
 
Mine did that last season, I just replaced plugs and it fired right up.
 
Jerome said:
I also get an alarm on the Sea Ray monitor system as soon as I turn on the generator, even before I try to start it. It appears to be one of the sensors but I don’t know which one and don’t know why the monitoring system gives me a generator alarm.
Click to expand...

The alarm on the system monitor is normal. Basically it's to let you know if your generator shuts down for some reason. If you have systems running that are dependent on the generator, this way you get some warning they are no longer operating.
 
Jerome said:
Let me know if you were successful Jeff.

I also have a problem with my Westerbeke generator on my 2002, 360. It starts no problem but shuts down as soon as I release the warm up switch. It runs fine as long as I hold the switch in. I also get an alarm on the Sea Ray monitor system as soon as I turn on the generator, even before I try to start it. It appears to be one of the sensors but I don’t know which one and don’t know why the monitoring system gives me a generator alarm. We have owned the boat for 6 years and never looked at the CO sensors or replaced them.

Suggestions or help from anyone is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Mine did this. Turned out to be a loose wire on one of the sensors. Double check all connections are tight. It made a connection while sitting, but the vibration of the engine was enough to interrupt the current.
 
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