Standby Generators

Service & Troubleshooting - Technician Support

NOTICE: THE ITEMS IN THIS SECTION ARE TO ONLY BE USED BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

Use the information below to help troubleshoot issues with a Briggs & Stratton air-cooled standby generator. This page provides common troubleshooting steps. Use of information provided here is not a substitute for reviewing the manuals and other relevant documents for the product you are servicing. The documents contain safety information to make you aware of hazards and risks associated with the product and how to avoid them. It is important that you read and understand the documents and instructions thoroughly. If you are uncomfortable working with electricity or fuel, please contact a qualified service technician.

Common Troubleshooting Scenarios

Service scenarios may present themselves, including basic symptoms, potential causes, and ‘alarms’ on the GC-1030 Series Controller.

Choose from the following Quick Navigation Buttons to navigate to a specific service scenario:

Additional Resources

Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions offers technical resources and guidance for other types of installation & maintenance scenarios.

For more in-depth electrical troubleshooting instructions, including important safety and warning information, navigate to the Technical Support Resources section and consult the Electrical Troubleshooting and Repair Manual (Air-Cooled Standby Generator with GC-1030 Series Controller) document.

Choose from the following Quick Navigation Buttons to navigate to these helpful resources:


Common Troubleshooting Scenarios

Generator Does Not Start

Symptom: Engine Does Not Crank

If the engine in a standby generator will not crank, the issue is likely with the start circuit, such as a dead battery, or a faulty starter motor.

NOTICE - Whenever "Test again" appears, install the 15 amp fuse (see your generator's installation and operator's manual for the fuse location), if removed. From MANUAL mode (Engine Off-Ready), press START/SELECT on the controller to check if the engine cranks. If the test fails, remove the 15 amp fuse and proceed to the next step.

If a test passes, follow the linear steps to the appropriate section. If the engine begins to Crank, but does not Start, advance to Symptom: Engine Does Not Start.

Potential Cause: Weak/ Failed battery, battery charger, and/or battery connections issue

ALARM(S): Battery Under Voltage, Battery Over Voltage

Common Troubleshooting Scenarios

Service scenarios may present themselves, including basic symptoms, potential causes, and alarms on the GC-1030 Series Controller.

Choose from the following Quick Navigation Buttons to navigate to a specific service scenario:

Generator Does Not Start Generator Starts then Shuts Down Generator Runs Rough Generator Does Not Produce Voltage Generator Starts and Runs For No Reason GC-1030 Series Controller Alarms & Event Log

Additional Resources

Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions offers technical resources and guidance for other types of installation & maintenance scenarios. Choose from the following Quick Navigation Buttons to navigate to these helpful resources:

Installation & Start-up Support Service Call & Maintenance Best Practices Technical Support Resources

Generator Does Not Start

Symptom: Engine Does Not Crank

If the engine in a standby generator will not crank, the issue is likely with the start circuit, such as a dead battery, or a faulty starter motor.

NOTICE - Whenever "Test again" appears, install the 15 amp fuse (see your generator's installation and operator's manual for the fuse location), if removed. From MANUAL mode (Engine Off-Ready), press START/SELECT on the controller to check if the engine cranks. If the test fails, remove the 15 amp fuse and proceed to the next step.

If a test passes, follow the linear steps to the appropriate section. If the engine begins to Crank, but does not Start, advance to Symptom: Engine Does Not Start.

Potential Cause: Weak/Failed battery, battery charger, and/or battery connections issue

ALARM(S): Battery Under Voltage, Battery Over Voltage

Potential Cause: Starter Relay/Starter Solenoid component or wiring issue

ALARM(S): Fail to Start

Potential Cause: Generator Controller or Relay Board does not output 9.6 VDC or greater

ALARM(S): Fail to Start

Potential Cause: Emergency Stop button pressed, and/or wiring connection issue

ALARM(S): Emergency Stop

Potential Cause: Generator Controller in MANUAL/Engine Off mode

ALARM(S): N/A

Symptom: Engine Does Not Start

An engine in a standby generator that does not start can be caused by a variety of issues, with fuel problems, electrical problems, and mechanical issues being the most common. Troubleshooting typically involves checking oil and fuel levels, the battery, spark plugs, air filter, and the choke.

Potential Cause: Engine Oil Level is Incorrect/Insufficient (Low or No Oil)

ALARM(S): N/A

Potential Cause: Fuel Pressure is Incorrect/Insufficient (Low or No Fuel)

ALARM(S): Fail to Start

Potential Cause: Clogged Air Filter, Bad Engine Spark Plugs and/or Plug Wires, Engine Valve Adjustment needed

ALARM(S): Fail to Start

Generator Starts and then Shuts Down

When utility is lost a Briggs & Stratton standby generator attempts to start six (6) times. Scenarios where the generator starts and then shuts down can be caused by various factors, including fuel problems, oil issues, or generator output voltage.

If all preliminary checks are good, follow the guidance in the Initial Test: Check Generator Output Voltage section below.

NOTICE - Whenever "Test again" appears, install the 15 amp fuse (see your generator's installation and operator's manual for the fuse location), if removed.

Initial Test: Check Generator Output Voltage

  1. Press START/SELECT on the controller to start the engine. Does the engine have proper voltage?
    • Yes - Depending on how long the generator runs, go to either Symptom: Generator Runs for ONLY 10 Seconds, or Symptom: Generator Runs for LONGER than 10 Seconds, then Shuts Down.
    • No - Go to Measure Circuit Breaker Load-Side Voltage.

Symptom: Generator Runs for ONLY 10 Seconds

Potential Cause: Undersized fuel line (from source to generator)

ALARM(S): Fail to Start + Under Voltage/Under Speed, or Low Frequency

Potential Cause: AVR has incorrect firmware, after replacing AVR

ALARM(S): AVR Fault, Low Voltage (Warning or Failure)

Potential Cause: Generator produces low voltage (70-120 VAC); Generator produces high voltage (greater than 132 VAC per leg, or greater than 240 VAC)

ALARM(S): AVR Fault, Low Voltage (Warning or Failure); Fail to Start + Over Speed/Frequency, High Voltage Failure

Potential Cause: Generator Overspeed or Underspeed

ALARM(S): Fail to Start + Over Speed/Frequency, High Voltage Failure

Potential Cause: Diode on back of AVR has blown (D12)

ALARM(S): Speed Sensor I/P Lost

Symptom: Generator Runs for LONGER than 10 Seconds, then Shuts Down

Potential Cause: No Engine Oil, or Level is too Low; Low Oil Pressure (shorted wire, and/or open switch when running)

ALARM(S): Low Oil Pressure Switch

Potential Cause: Engine Oil Level is too High; High Engine Temperature Switch (component) = Short to Ground

ALARM(S): High Engine Temperature Switch

Potential Cause: Engine foam seal is deteriorated and recirculating warm engine air

ALARM(S): High Engine Temperature

Potential Cause: Air intake is blocked/obstructed

ALARM(S): Fail to Start + Low Voltage Failure, Under Speed/Frequency

Potential Cause: Improperly sized generator for load demand, or Insufficient fuel pressure

ALARM(S): Over Current/Load, or Unbalanced Load


Generator Runs Rough

Occasionally the engine in a standby generator may audibly "pop" or "sputter" when servicing or manually operating without load on the unit. For instances when an issue may be present, perform basic fuel and output voltage checks before troubleshooting the engine.

Fuel Troubleshooting

Review the tests found in the Generator Does Not Start and/or Generator Starts and then Shuts Down sections to confirm sufficient fuel is provided to the standby generator.

Voltage Troubleshooting

Review the tests found in the Generator Starts and then Shuts Down and/or Generator Does Not Produce Voltage sections to confirm proper output voltage.

Engine Troubleshooting

Potential Cause: Faulty spark plugs/wiring

ALARM(S):

Generator Does Not Produce Voltage

Voltage Troubleshooting "Order of Checks"

  1. Basic Voltage Checks for issues with basic components and/or wiring between Controller and Smart AVR
  2. Test Field Flash (at the Smart AVR)
  3. Test Alternator wiring to AVR and/or Generator Controller, following the Check Alternator Rotor Winding Resistance steps
  4. Confirm Alternator (Rotor/Stator) is functioning properly, following the Perform AVR Bypass Tests steps
  5. Confirm proper output frequency, performing the Frequency and/or Electronic Governor Checks

NOTICE - Whenever "Test again" appears, install the 15 amp fuse (see your generator's installation and operator's manual for the fuse location), if removed.

Symptom: Generator Voltage Not Present at Breaker and/or Controller (Basic Voltage Checks)

Potential Cause: CANBUS Wire issue between AVR and GC-1030 Controller, No/Low Generator Output Voltage (at Circuit Breaker and/or Controller), Wire harness problem

ALARM(S): AVR Fault, Low Voltage (Warning or Failure)

Symptom: AVR Does Not Receive Crank Circuit Voltage

Check Alternator Rotor Winding Resistance

  1. Press STOP/CONFIG on the controller and remove the 15 amp fuse.
  2. Remove fuses from the transfer switch.
  3. Disconnect Wire 11 and Wire 44 from the circuit breaker.
  4. Disconnect Wire 22 from the neutral lug.
  5. Disconnect all wires from the AVR.
  6. Go to Test Stator Power Windings.

Perform AVR Bypass Tests

NOTICE - If you bypass the AVR, all wiring and windings in the alternator can be tested without more disassembly. The tests require a fully charged 12V battery. If the battery is not fully charged, it will cause inaccurate readings that can result in a false diagnosis.

NOTICE - You must identify wires by number stamp, not color. Negative leads can be red and positive leads can be black.

NOTICE - To protect AVR terminals from damage and make sure that a fast and easy diagnosis is done, make a test harness (with an in-line fuse on the positive side).

Symptom: Improper Frequency, or Electronic Governor issues

Potential Cause: Generator Overspeed or Underspeed

ALARM(S): Fail to Start Alarm + Over Speed/Frequency, High Voltage Failure

Generator Starts and Runs For No Reason

NOTICE - Whenever "Test again" appears, install the 15 amp fuse (see your generator's installation and operator's manual for the fuse location), if removed.

If a test passes, review the full linear logic steps found in the Service Call & Maintenance Best Practices section.

Symptom: With Utility Power Present, Generator Starts/Runs Immediately

Potential Cause: Missing or faulty wires from fuse block in ATS, to Terminals 25 and 26 at the Generator; Utility Sense fuses have blown in ATS

ALARM(S): N/A

GC-1030 Series Controller Alarms & Event Log

Nearly 30 different Alarms are programmed on the Generator Controller. The standby generator includes sensors that automatically stop the generator in potentially damaging conditions.

GC-1030 Series Controller Alarms

GC-1030 Series Controller "Event Log"

The GC-1030 Series Controller will store up to 100 events in an event log.


Additional Resources

Installation & Start-up Support

Confirm Basic System Set-up (Preliminary Checks)

Confirm Engine Oil

Confirm Battery, Circuit Breaker, 15A Fuse, and Controller

Confirm Fuel Delivery, Settings (Type), and Supply Pressure

Service Call & Maintenance Best Practices

After Arriving On-Site

Check System Operation

These are some of the most common reasons a generator may fail to crank, start, or run. Complete each of the following tests before you go to Using Linear Diagnostics.

Preliminary Checks
  • Check interior and exterior of the generator
  • Check engine oil level
  • Check battery connection and polarity
  • Check circuit breaker, fuse and GC-1030 Controller (correct mode, and if an alarm is present)
  • Check fuel delivery, pressure, and type/profile settings

Steps for each of these checks can be found in the Confirm Basic System Set-up (Preliminary Checks) section.

View Section

Using Linear Diagnostics (to Identify the Problem)

After inspecting and clearing any faults on the GC-1030 Series Controller, the following linear diagnostics methodology can be used to help you determine where the specific problem lies.

NOTICE - Verify that the 15 amp fuse is installed in the controller. Press and hold START/SELECT on the controller to crank and start the engine.

Linear Diagnostics

After inspecting and clearing any controller faults, proceed as follows:

Requesting Advanced Technical Support

The Briggs & Stratton Technical Support team is available by phone or email, Monday-Friday, from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM Central (CST).

Before Leaving the Site

Technical Support Resources

Critical Service Documents

Troubleshooting

Technical support documents are available to assist you when troubleshooting an air-cooled standby generator.

Parts Manual

Service Bulletins

Specific technical documentation may be available, in the form of a Service Bulletin. These items detail a condition on the standby generator and/or engine, as well as corrective action steps.

NOTE: A PowerPortal login is required to view Briggs & Stratton Service Bulletin documentation.

PowerProtect 13kW (040740 and 040746; Vertical Unit)

PowerProtect 18kW (040756; Horizontal Unit)

PowerProtect 22 & 26kW (040780, 040786, 040800, 040806; Horizontal Units)

Software & Firmware Support

This section includes instructions on how to install and use the software and firmware for use on Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect standby generators.

Tools & Parts: Recommended and Specialty Items

The following recommended and specialty tools may be necessary for servicing this standby generator.

"Fast Moving" Spare Parts

Power Academy

The Briggs & Stratton Power Academy is a virtual learning hub offering various types of training options for selling, installing and servicing energy solutions products. Self-paced eLearning, live virtual and in-person courses are offered to fit your schedule and learning style.

Access the Power Academy

The Briggs & Stratton Power Portal

ThePowerPortal.com is a secure, password protected website created in partnerships with our dealers, distributors, suppliers and customers. Access to brand information is available for many of the Briggs & Stratton family product lines, including standby generators.

Access the PowerPortal

Account Types

Two (2) different types of user accounts are available on the PowerPortal. The Primary Account Holder (DDM #) account is created when an agreement with Briggs & Stratton is completed, from a Dealer, Distributor or Authorized Installer business. Users with this login can create Technician Accounts that are managed under the primary account.

If you need assistance logging into the PowerPortal, or creating a technician account, click the button below. You will be asked to supply the primary PowerPortal login ID (DDM #) and phone number contact information, as well as the technician's first and last name and their email address (cannot be the company's main email address).


Still need help?

Contact our standby generator Technical Support team at techsupport@basco.com, or 800-759-2744.

You will be asked to provide the standby generator’s Model and Serial Numbers, and must have a Dealer ID number when calling.