Kohler 5e generator

[Panama Rob]

I purchased a rebuilt Kohler, 5E generator for my 340. Has been running good, but ran into an issue. After filling the tanks up and running it for several hours, the generator died out as if it ran out of gas. The curious thing is when I go down below to restart and hold the start button if I hold the start button down it continues to run but when I let go of the start button it dies out like it did before. Does anybody have any suggestions. I am most appreciative of anybody who ran across this issue who could think could be the problem. Panama Rob.

 

[KevinC]

I purchased a rebuilt Kohler, 5E generator for my 340. Has been running good, but ran into an issue. After filling the tanks up and running it for several hours, the generator died out as if it ran out of gas. The curious thing is when I go down below to restart and hold the start button if I hold the start button down it continues to run but when I let go of the start button it dies out like it did before. Does anybody have any suggestions. I am most appreciative of anybody who ran across this issue who could think could be the problem. Panama Rob.

Sounds like it could be one of the sensors. Check your standard items like coolant and oil levels. IIRC, the start button bypasses all of the sensors but once released a sensor fault would shut it down.

-Kevin

 

[ttmott]

The oil pressure switch is the most likely culprit. Holding the start button bypasses the switch until oil pressure comes up and closes the switch. But it could be any one of the sensors or wiring in the bypass loop.
If there is a warrantee on the rebuild then I'd for sure call the supplier. The 5E is the electronic version so a "loop" may be oversimplified. @Stray Current knows these generators.

 

[wineknot]

I attached a service manual for the Kohler 5E Generator. See section 6.2 that explains the engine safety shutdown switches (mentioned in the previous posts) and the following pages show troubleshooting flow charts in section 6.2.5. there are also details in section 8.1 that explain component troubleshooting procedures. Good luck and let us know if you determine the cause.

 

[hottoddie]

Start simple. Make sure the oil level is correct.

 

[Stray Current]

The oil pressure switch is the most likely culprit. Holding the start button bypasses the switch until oil pressure comes up and closes the switch. But it could be any one of the sensors or wiring in the bypass loop.
If there is a warrantee on the rebuild then I'd for sure call the supplier. The 5E is the electronic version so a "loop" may be oversimplified. @Stray Current knows these generators.

I kinda do, I dabble in mine anyway. I’m primarily a land based generator technician, but I can help.

The first thing I would do before I tried running it anymore would be to put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on in place of the sensor and see if you actually have oil pressure

 

[Wanderer 290]

3 sensors on the engine. Oil pressure, coolant temp and exhaust temp. If one triggers it will go to ground and kill the engine. They can be bypassed by disconnecting. If the genny runs for 10-15 mins before it shuts down the overheat is the likely suspect. The coolant must be filled with all air bled as described in the manual.