Kohler generator racing

[Gjac]

I have a Kohler generator 5KCM21 generator that will start but won't idle down once started. The manual says it has an electronic governor so I can't see any springs like on a lawn mower. I can put my finger on it to move it and it will idle down. I have the operators manual but it does not address this problem. Can this be adjusted?

[Gjac]

Born To Travel wrote:
Yes, The exact same.. I had to put a new starter in mine.. Easy job when it is out... Pain to change when in.. Your problem could be as simple as the speed sensor needs cleaned, But it is hard to say until you look it over...

Where is the speed sensor, I can't see it in the link? is it the same thing as the magnetic pick up sensor. I don't think I can get to it without removing the shroud?

[Born_To_Travel]

Yes, The exact same.. I had to put a new starter in mine.. Easy job when it is out... Pain to change when in.. Your problem could be as simple as the speed sensor needs cleaned, But it is hard to say until you look it over...

[Gjac]

Born To Travel wrote:
Your gen has an all electrical governor, not mechanical.. Here is who I deal with for Kohler parts for my gen, They are great to deal with and are in eastern Pa. Maybe give them a call and see what they say...http://www.partsfortechs.com/asapcart/page.html?chapter=0&id=6

Thanks for these two links. The first one I don't quite understand how to test it. But I can certainly call on Monday. Do you have the same genset?

[Gjac]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Have you looked for any small springs laying around? Just one of them popping off, or breaking, which I have had happen, will allow the linkage to pull the other way and either speed the engine up, or slow it down. Spring are not painted and they will rust and break. You generator has a few years on it so it may very well be a busted spring.

That is the first thing I did seeing I could get it to slow down with moving the actuator with my finger. The governor is electronic so I don't think there are any springs. In the link that born to travel posted I did not see any.

[Born_To_Travel]

Your gen has an all electrical governor, not mechanical.. Here is who I deal with for Kohler parts for my gen, They are great to deal with and are in eastern Pa. Maybe give them a call and see what they say...http://www.partsfortechs.com/asapcart/page.html?chapter=0&id=6

[Gjac]

jplante4 wrote:
Wait a minute. Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would you expect a generator to idle? It needs to run at 1800 RPM to generate 60 Hz of AC. If it were 'idling' it would be a problem.

I have used the generator for 10 years I know when the engine is racing it is not being governed to the proper rpm.

[jplante4]

Wait a minute. Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would you expect a generator to idle? It needs to run at 1800 RPM to generate 60 Hz of AC. If it were 'idling' it would be a problem.

[rgatijnet1]

Have you looked for any small springs laying around? Just one of them popping off, or breaking, which I have had happen, will allow the linkage to pull the other way and either speed the engine up, or slow it down. Spring are not painted and they will rust and break. You generator has a few years on it so it may very well be a busted spring.

[Born_To_Travel]

Here is some tech info.. http://uponrequest.com/Data/Kohler/SB555%205CKMR.pdf

[Gjac]

Executive wrote:
Reading the title made me think of NASCAR of generators....:B.

The fact it operated ok after spraying it with WD40 makes me think you've got some gunk etc. where it shouldn't be. Cleaning it thoroughly will most likely get you back up and running correctly. Won't cost you much to do and if you have to take it in, the mechanic will appreciate it....Dennis

Unfortunately my spraying turned out to be a red herring. I sprayed it overnight with PB blaster and the Gen set still races. I am wondering if the fuel pump is not getting enough gas to the carb and the governor is overcompensating for it?

[Gjac]

No just a regular old (1996) generator. This is a first time problem.

[Executive45]

Reading the title made me think of NASCAR of generators....:B.

The fact it operated ok after spraying it with WD40 makes me think you've got some gunk etc. where it shouldn't be. Cleaning it thoroughly will most likely get you back up and running correctly. Won't cost you much to do and if you have to take it in, the mechanic will appreciate it....Dennis

[Kayteg1]

Can't find much info about that generator on the net.
Is it inverter generator?
Those usually have load switch, that will put it on high idle.

[Gjac]

hershey wrote:
Not familiar with a Kohler generator but: My Onan never does go to idle. It has to rev to meet the load. Just a knee jerk evaluation here but: when your first start it, it will probably be under a load just supplying power to the converter which would be charging your batteries.
By idle down, has it always acted this way or is it something new that it has developed? Or is it a new generator experience to you?

It just started last night, my GS held the switch in longer than normal to get it to start when started it just started to race. I shut it down sprayed the governer area with WD40 thinking it would loosed it up. Started it the next morning and it seemed fine so I reassembled the air box went to start it again and it was still racing. So I am baffled.

[hershey]

Not familiar with a Kohler generator but: My Onan never does go to idle. It has to rev to meet the load. Just a knee jerk evaluation here but: when your first start it, it will probably be under a load just supplying power to the converter which would be charging your batteries.
By idle down, has it always acted this way or is it something new that it has developed? Or is it a new generator experience to you?