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It can be quite annoying to have a faulty starter solenoid, especially after you have done everything possible to ensure that your generator starts, but it still will not work. After a lot of trouble, you finally discovered that the starter solenoid is the problem.
That is crazy, right? Because you may have considered other options, such as batteries and other components, especially if there is a power outage and you need the generator to start right away.
However, even though Generac is the best generator brand in the world and a top producer of backup power systems, their starter solenoid occasionally developed faults. This is extremely uncommon.
That said, you should not let that deter you from using a generator because these problems are not limited to generators; they also occur in automobiles, trailers, and other engines.
But as I mentioned earlier, if you have discovered that your Generac generator will not start, it might be the result of a broken starter solenoid.
Checking the battery, starter motor, solenoid, wiring, and starter solenoid replacement if required are all part of troubleshooting Generac starter solenoids.
In order to assist you in starting your generator, I will therefore walk you through the process of troubleshooting Generac starter solenoids in this blog post.
Without wasting any more time, let us get started!
What is a Starter Solenoid, and How Does It Work?
Before we can begin troubleshooting Generac starter solenoids, we must first understand what a starter solenoid is and how it functions.
A starter solenoid is an electrical component found in engines that engages the starter motor when the ignition key is turned.
It serves as a link between the battery and the starter motor, allowing electricity to flow from the battery to the motor.
For this reason, the connection that the solenoid is meant to provide between the battery and the starter motor will not exist if it is malfunctioning or damaged. That is why it may appear that the battery is at fault at times, but if the problem is not thoroughly diagnosed, the opposite is true.
Signs of a Faulty Starter Solenoid
These are some of the typical indicators that your generator will display to help you diagnose whether or not the starter solenoid is broken.
- First, when the ignition key is turned, the generator will not start.
- Second, the generator makes a clicking noise when the ignition key is turned, but it refuses to start at all. In this instance, it may even kill your battery. Thus, if you observe that it is persisting in this manner, do not intervene and refer to the troubleshooting guide that I will discuss subsequently in this post.
- Thirdly, the generator will continue to fail to start even though the starter motor is spinning.
- Lastly, regardless of how hard you try, the starter motor will not even spin.
Therefore, if you see any of these symptoms, stop turning your ignition key because it could kill your battery and instead use the troubleshooting instructions I provide below.
How to Troubleshoot a Faulty Generac Starter Solenoids
These are the methods for doing your own troubleshooting on your Generac starter solenoids. But if you believe that this is something that is beyond your capabilities, please get assistance from a professional.
Step 1: Get the Right Tools
First things first, gather the equipment you will need to finish this. Without the right tools, troubleshooting your Generac starter solenoid is impossible. The following tools may be necessary to complete the process quickly.
- To begin with, a socket wrench is required to adjust the mounting bolts or screws holding the starter solenoid in place.
- Second, when reconnecting wires, pliers might be required to help remove any difficult-to-reach wiring connections or to bend wires into the proper position.
- Thirdly, before reconnecting wires to the new solenoid, wire cutters or strippers might also be required.
- Fourth, to find out if there is a problem with the solenoid or wiring, you will need a voltmeter to help you test the voltage at the positive and negative terminals of the starter solenoid.
- Fifth, when handling electrical components, safety goggles and gloves will be provided to help guard against electrical shocks and injuries.
- Last but not least, if your original starter solenoid stops working, you will need a replacement that fits the model of your Generac generator.
Step 2: Check the Battery
The second step in troubleshooting Generac starter solenoids is to check the battery after obtaining all the necessary tools.
Make sure the generator’s battery has sufficient power to start the motor when checking its level of charge.
In addition, make sure the battery is correctly connected and fully charged.
However, in cases where the battery is low or dead, it won’t provide enough power to engage the starter motor, and the generator won’t start.
That is to say, it is not the starter solenoid that is the problem here, but the battery. Even so, you can read through to the end and make additional checks to make sure the solenoid is not the reason the battery is dead.
You can also read: How to Clear Battery Problem on Generac Generator in 3 Easy Ways
Step 3: Check the Starter Motor
After checking the battery to see if it is fine, it is finally fully charged and properly connected. Even if it is low or dead, you should check the starter motor.
When it comes to inspecting your generator’s starter motor, you will need your manual to find the location. When you get it, make sure the starter motor is getting power from the battery.
Using a voltmeter, you can check if the starter motor is getting the proper amount of power from the battery by measuring the voltage at its positive terminal.
If you measure the voltage and find no voltage, the problem could be a faulty starter motor or a wiring issue, both of which cause the battery to die.
If it isn’t, you can proceed to the next step, which is to check the solenoid.
Step 4: Check the Solenoid
If the battery and starter motor are in good condition, you should also check the solenoid in the same manner as the starter motor.
That is, you must ensure that the solenoid receives sufficient power from the battery and transmits it to the starter motor.
How can you do that? That is when you will need the voltmeter. You can use the voltmeter to measure the voltage at the solenoid’s positive and negative terminals.
However, if everything seems to be in order and there is still no voltage at the positive terminal, it may be a solenoid malfunction or a wiring issue.
Step 5: Check the Wiring
Since you have already checked the battery, starter motor, and solenoid, I can say that this is the final step. After that, they are all okay.
For this reason, you must inspect the wiring system in this step, starting from the solenoid and going all the way to the battery and starter motor.
Every wiring connection needs to be checked to ensure it is corrosion-free and secure.
If everything appears to be in working order after checking, the starter solenoid may be the source of the issue.
Unfortunately, this means that in order to start your generator, you will need to replace the starter solenoid.
For you to get the best one and prevent you from getting a new one that would still develop issues in no time, I recommend you go for the Generac G086729 Contactor Starter Solenoid (affiliate link) if it fits your model.
How to Replace a Generac Starter Solenoid
After troubleshooting your Generac generator starter solenoid and determining that replacing it with the faulty one is your only option, here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Turn off the Generator
Switching off the generator should be done first. Despite the fact that I know the generator is already off, I am trying to get you to turn off the generator’s ignition key.
Afterwards, make sure you disconnect the generator’s battery wires as well to avoid any potential electrical shocks.
Step 2: Locate the Starter Solenoid
After you have turned off the ignition and disconnected the battery, you should locate the starter solenoid.
The starter solenoid on most Generac generators is usually found near the battery, either on the engine side or on the control panel.
In the event that your search was unsuccessful, you can locate the starter solenoid location on your generator by consulting the owner’s manual.
Step 3: Remove the Old Starter Solenoid
Next, you removed the older starter solenoid. And before you remove it, unplug the wires that are attached to the solenoid.
Following that, you need to take out the mounting screws or bolts that secure the solenoid. To remove the bolts, you might need to use pliers or a socket wrench.
Step 4: Install the New Starter Solenoid
It is now time to install the new starter solenoid you purchased after removing the old one.
First, you must reattach the wires to the new solenoid, making sure to do so in the exact spot where the old solenoid’s wire was removed.
After that, center the solenoid and fasten it firmly using the screws or mounting bolts you previously removed.
Make sure that all of the wires are securely fastened and connected during this process, as even a tiny error could harm your generator or the starter solenoid you purchased.
Step 5: Reconnect the Battery
You can test the generator to make sure it starts properly after you have reconnected the battery. However, before anything else, you will need to reset your Generac generator.
Once the replacement starter solenoid is installed and all the procedures have been completed, you should reconnect the battery and turn on the generator.
The following articles may be of assistance if that is the case.
- How to Reset Generac Generator in 7 Easy Ways
- How to Choose the Right Oil Filter for Generac Generator
- Generac Generator Weekly Test Not Working? Here’s the Best Ways to Make it Work
- How to Clear Generac Generator Overcrank Errors
- Generac Generator Cranks But Will Not Start
Final Thought
Your Generac generator may not start due to a malfunctioning starter solenoid, which will aggravate you—especially if you need the generator right away.
For this reason, you must troubleshoot your starter solenoid, which is an easy task with the correct equipment.
Thus, you can fix a malfunctioning starter solenoid and restart your Generac generator by following the instructions in this guide.
However, before you leave, do not forget to follow the generator’s instructions and always use caution when handling electrical parts.
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