How To Diagnose & Repair A Generator With No Spark
A generator with no spark may have trouble starting it up. Here we will talk about how to diagnose and repair such a generator.
DIAGNOSE
Step 1: You should make sure the switch is in the on position.
Step 2: Locate the spark plug and remove it.
Step 3: Reinsert the spark plug in the spark plug boot and ground the metal part of the spark plug to the engine. For safety reasons, you need to make sure to keep the spark plug away from the spark plug hole when turning it over.
Step 4: While the engine is cranked over, you need to check for a spark.
If you can find there is a wire coming out of the cowling that is connected to the ignition module. You need to disconnect it in the case to bypass all the electrical systems from the switch to the ignition module. If it is an electrical problem you should have a spark now. If it is indeed the wire going to the ignition module, you need to pull the engine over again to see if there is a spark. And if there is still no spark, you can pretty sure that was the wire going to the ignition. Therefore, now you are supposed to take the cowling off and replace the ignition module.
REPAIR
Step 1: You need to remove the cowling by unscrewing the bolts that holding it.
Step 2: Now you can take off the whole column cover. You can see the wire that you have disconnected is indeed connected to the ignition module at the other end.
Step 3: Before you replace the ignition module, you need to recap the space between the flywheel magnets and the coil itself.
Step 4: What you need to do is putting a cardboard between the flywheel and the coil. Now you can move the flywheel until the magnets of facing the ignition module or coil.
Step 5: You need to loosen the bolts holding the ignition module. This will allow the ignition module to get closer to the flywheel. So basically the space between the ignition module and the flywheel now will be the space of the cardboard.
Step 6: Then retighten both bolts and check if the flywheel can run freely.
Step 7: Grab the spark plug again and turn the engine by hand as fast as you can to check for a spark.
If there is still no spark at this point, you can rather convince that the ignition module is faulty.
Step 8: Now you need to remove the faulty ignition module completely.
Step 9: Find a good ignition module replacement to put on, and grab the spark plug to ground on the engine while you turning the flywheel by hand the third time.
Step 10: Reconnect the switch wire and reinstall the cowling cover.
Step 11: Finally you need to put the spark plug back on as well as the boot.
Now you can try to start your generator up. And do not forget to put the choke back on every time when you shut the generator off.
Product Recommendation
1.Hipa All-in-one Carburetor Kit
What is the Hipa Carburetor All-In-One kit? Why you need it? How does it helps? Here is my another blog that explains these question: HIPA All-In-One Kit--The Ultimate Solution For Small Engine Maintenance
Please let us know if this works and if you have any suggestions or comments. Or you can join us to feature your passion for repair projects, share your stories with the Hipa family and also get help from hipastore.com.
