Starting Problems

A recoil starter that won’t retract, feels loose, or lets the handle snap back hard almost always comes down to

A generator that won’t start in cold weather almost always needs one of three things: choke fully closed (not halfway),

A flooded generator engine has too much raw fuel in the cylinder — the plug is soaked and can’t fire.

When a generator won’t start after sitting for months, it’s stale fuel until proven otherwise. Crack the drain screw on

When a generator only runs on choke, it’s starving for fuel — not getting too much air. Drain the stale

Generator has no spark? Check the plug, then the kill switch and wiring (the #1 cause), the coil, the flywheel key, and the low-oil sensor – in that order.

Generator CO sensor keeps shutting it off? Flashing red is a CO detection, yellow is a sensor fault — and most repeat trips are an airflow fix.

Champion generator won’t start, won’t stay running, or has no power? These dual-fuel and inverter units have a few common faults. Here’s how to diagnose and fix them.

Predator generator won’t start after sitting? On these Harbor Freight units it’s almost always stale fuel and a gummed carb, the fuel valve, or the low-oil sensor. Here’s how to fix it.

Generator hard to start but eventually catches? It’s almost always weak spark, a partly-gummed carb, or a choke and technique problem. Here’s how to find which one.