Before I take my Barth to the repair shop, I figure you guys might know where to look to solve this puzzle.
I have a 7KW Kohler diesel generator, powered by a Kubota 3 cyl. On my way to our winter home last fall, the generator decided it would not stay running any longer. At first I thought it was a fuel issue, but soon realized that diesels are shut down by the fuel solenoid when something decides it needs shutting down.
After many hours on my back under the rig, reading the manual, going on-line, and calling Kohler dealer; I replaced the regulator (located on top of the generator where I needed a mirror to even see the bolts and connectors!!). No luck.
The generator will run if you hold down the starter button continuously, so I had my wife keep it going and I measured the voltage in the transfer box. One side good at 110V, other side nothing!
The generator has all of 85 hours on it, two of which running on the starter button to diagnose. I have removed the rear panel and the brushes and races look fine.
I have grounded the Kubota oil sensor and water sensor to see if they were telling the "brain" to shut off. No luck.
I have fumbled around inside the brain trying to bypass things, no luck.
I haven't yet checked the main breaker up in the regulator box, this may prove something.
Any ideas?
Corey

Our Newell has a Yanmar powered generator. When you try to start the fuel solenoid will active and then stay on thru the hold circuit.

So first when you depress start does the start solenoid pull?

I must because if you hold the start it keeps running.

So next question is when you let off the start switch does it stop running? And does the start/run solenoid drop out?

If the answer is still yes, you may have a defective solenoid. These (or at least mine) have two coils inside. One set is the pull and the other the hold. These are internal and you have no control. When the solenoid slams home it changes coils from pull to hold. If this does not happen it will burn out the hold circuit.

Only solution is to by a new solenoid. Mine was $190 and I replaced it twice. The Second time I put a slow blow 4 amp fuse in the line so the start current was only momentary. This has worked because I have replaced the fuse twice.

Gary,
The solenoid does activate for the start and then returns to off the minute you let go of the start button. This sounds like a definite maybe as mine does this exact thing. The Kohler guys led me to believe the control circuit also shuts off the generator, so I never thought to guess the solenoid might be defective.
I'll check this out, thanks.
Corey

My Onan did the same thing. Turned out to be the voltage regulator.

Hi,

I have a Kohler LP powered 7.5 kw generator. I had a similar problem and a lose fuse for the control board caused it.

Good luck.

Rick

curious as to where this "loose fuse in the control panel" is located for the Kohler Lp system.