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Kohler diesel generator won’t start.

Discussion in 'Engines' started by Capt Denny, Dec 4, 2021.

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  1. Capt Denny

    Capt Denny New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2021
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    St Augustine
    Have the Kohler 9EOZ Diesel Gen on my 98 Carver 405. It suddenly stopped running.
    Fuel pump works BUT will not get fuel up to the injectors when trying to bleed. Cranks great but no start. Nothing. Why?
    Pulled the fuel solenoid and that seems to be working.
    Any thoughts PLEASE.
    Denny H
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Ah, the ole 3TNE. Darn good Yanmar engine.
    I'm in Satsuma, just to your Sou-West.

    Lets talk a lil more about suddenly stopped running.
    Was just tooling along making power for several minutes/hours and stopped running like it was turned off?
    Turned off with sputters?
    Slowed down do nothing?
    Made any sound or smoke?
    Nobody adjusting supply or return valves?
    How much fuel is in the tank it is drawing from?
    You have dumped the secondary fuel filter and was clean fuel? No water? And you re-filled a new filter with fresh fuel?

    Don't mean to over whelm you with a bunch of silly questions but we need to get on the same page as you and ensure the lil things are understood.

    Are you mechanically inclined?

    Rite off the bat, there is a fuse, relay and known flaky plug connectors.
    The injector run enable coil could be an issue also.

    That's just on the outside of the engine and the list of usual suspects.
    But wait, there are more worms in that can but we need a hammer and wrenches to check the next list.
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2021
    T.T. likes this.
  3. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    Messages:
    1,648
    Location:
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    CR , why is there so much “stuff” on the brand name generators ( Kholer, Onan , etc. ) that can fail . What are they there for in the first place ?
    Sensors , alarms , gizmos, computer boards = aggravation.

    Very frustrating indeed.
    All we want is electric.
  4. Capt Denny

    Capt Denny New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2021
    Messages:
    27
    Location:
    St Augustine
    THANKS RALPH for the reply.
    No I am not very mechanical inclined when comes to diesels other than usual maintainable stuff.
    However: was running fine then just died as if I had turned it off. No sputtering and no smoke. I restarted it within a minute and it ran for 5 seconds and again died. Tried bleeding the fuel lines but it WONT GET UP TO THE INJECTORS. Good pressure at the fuel pump though.
    Sounded like a fuel issue so I replaced the old filter with a new that I filled with fresh diesel.
    Plenty of fuel in tank.
    Replaced the water pump because it was leaking.
    My local mechanic is stumped.
    With my back issues I can’t get back behind it myself so any info I can get I can pass on.
    Sounds like you have ideas.
  5. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Well, lots of the stuff offers protection for the engine in case of low oil or no raw/cooling water.
    Other bits of stuff offers easier starting and shutting down.
    Despite this stuff back firing and inducing errors sometimes, it is still better with, than without.
    Then, I think it was the small Kohlers that also checked that the electrical end was indeed making 115/230Vac or would shut down.
    Oh-No offered over/under speed protection.
    Aluminum exhaust manifolds were my pet-peve.
    Then error codes, displays, and network interfacing.
    Meant to look and offer hy-tech options, but just hy-tech headaches were realized.

    I see Capt Denny has responded..
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
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    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Have your tech ensure a run voltage is getting to the run solenoid. Mounted on the rear of the injector pump.
    While it is connected, get a pointy probe into the in-line connector and ensure 12Vdc is present.
    If so, I suspect a bad run solenoid.
    If 12Vdc not found, An error condition (real or failed) is keeping it off for some reason.

    Also, your model may have hidden in-line fuses inside of the control box. Pain to check but is a must to look for if nothing else pans out.
    Also #2. That D%$^ Kohler relay board luves to bite techs in the asp. Yes, they do go bad.
  7. Capt Denny

    Capt Denny New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2021
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    Location:
    St Augustine
    Thanks for great input on my issue.
    Will be dealing with this after the Holidays and will post ANY results.