Kohler 5E Generator Wont Crank - Help

Hey what happened to the pretty girls on the boat pics...
 
Alex F said:
Just few days out of extended warranty and my generator quits. I’ve done some troubleshooting and have preliminary conclusion. But, I was hoping to get some advice before I start spending money on parts.

The problem - is that the unit wont crank. It just makes the “click….click” sound, but nothing else.

Some facts and symptoms:
- all batteries are good
- the generator switch is on in the control panel
- The only part I’ve done different this morning is that I had started the generator from the start button right on the unit. I was changing the zink and needed to run some water through it to clean some old zink stuff. I cranked it couple of times without turning the START button in the control panel in the cabin. I didn’t plan to, but the generator started up on the 2nd or 3rd crank. So, I just let it run for a minute or so. Then, I shut it down by pressing the stop button on the unit.
- So, when it was time to heat up dinner while at anchor all I heard was click-click from the generator. The behavior is the same whether I use control on the unit or in the cabin.

Troubleshooting Steps:
- Got some tools out and started searching. The clicking sound comes from two places: 1-fuel valve and 2-solinoid for the starter.
- My first thought was that starter solenoid has an issue, so I had used screwdriver to force the connection. That made no difference.
- Got the light tester out and started following the power lines. Input from battery has power, but when I cranked the START switch the solenoid didn’t pass the power to the starter. I used the screwdriver again and it didn’t make the difference. This was very strange, so I decided to isolate and disconnect the wire going from solenoid to the starter, just to be sure. When I disconnected the wire form the starter I can see that the solenoid is passing the power to the wire that goes to the starter, but then I had found that the connecting point on the starter is giving me NEGATIVE (-) and makes the tester light go off when I put one end on the starter and the other on the solenoid output. Thus, my conclusion is that there’s some kind of short in my starter that makes PSITIVE (+) connecting point to produce NEGATIVE(-) instead.

So, before I go and order new starter can someone tell me if my conclusion is valid? Is there anything else I could do as a proof of concept?

Thanks,
Alex.
Click to expand...

So did we ever come to a conclusion on this 5E problem, I'm having the same issue?

Bill
 
bluebelly said:
Any chance that your cylinders are full of water? You said you were flushing out the zinc material. Maybe your exhaust back siphoned and filled the cylinders?

Just a thought.
Click to expand...


I just put water in my cylinders and ruined my generator... I would the sparks plugs and try starting to rull this out... I wish I did...
 
Bump,

So did we ever come to a conclusion on this 5E problem, I'm having the same issue?

Looking for the conclusion from Alex?

Bill
 
Looks like I'm not getting email alerts on all of the subscribed posts.

My generator went back to normal on it's own. It was sitting for a week when I brought it to MM for other repairs. They didn't have time to fix it. I went to check and it started without a problem. I'm thinking that this is a starter issue. So, at this point I'm simply in monitoting mode. If it gives me more trouble I'll replace the starter.
 
Alex
They probably hit it with a bat over there at MarMx.
 
Yo Trump what kind of knuckle head would put ice on a starter????
 
J Levine said:
Yo Trump what kind of knuckle head would put ice on a starter????
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same, but on the other hand this could be one of the old trick by drastically change the temps and hopefully change the magnetic allignment. Just guessing :huh:.

rcknecht said:
They would have charged Alex for the repair if they hit it with a bat.... :smt021
Click to expand...

Rod, I was expecting that, but Chris Keller svc mgr at MM is pretty good guy and was streight with me on this one.
 
Yo Trump what kind of knuckle head would put ice on a starter????
Click to expand...

Alex, there's a story behind the "ice" that Rudy and Jon know about (probably some other guys around CSR have heard it too). I'll tell you someday!
 
also could be caused by condensation i have an old tahoe truck in my driveway which i start once in a while one day i didnt start it in a long time after all the rain we had and it just clicked like the generator i knew my battery was good after a few days of sun i tried it again and it started no problem
 
5E Kohler Cranking Issue - Problem Solved
For those following Alex's thread, and a lot of good ideas, my problem ended up being a dead battery. I could jump the starter solenoid and it would run for a short time, then die out. I had an isolated battery just for the generator and it was 5 years old. The result was the electric fuel pump wouldn't supply fuel at a measured 4-7 volts, I could start it, but the fuel pump didn't work properly. So if you have starting or running issues, look at the battery first. Whne mine was running the voltmeter said 13 volts showing the battery was charging, but upon startind by the rocker, the battery dropped down to 4 volts...dead. For those having intermittent problems, and running your genny off house batterys, which may charge by your house charger, your problems may only arise when you're away from the dock.

Bill
 
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