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?

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?

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.

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.

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

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

Kohler generator racing | Good Sam Community

John_Joey
Explorer
Aug 01, 2015
Nothing worst then not being 100% sure it's the expensive board. Glad it all worked out for you.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2015
Finally got the genset fixed after some testing of the magnetic pickup up and stepper motor and they were good according to the tests that born to travel posted. I tried to find a test procedure for the control board but could not find one after talking to Kohler, parts for tech, and flight systems(which will rebuild controls boards). Flight systems sent me a service manual which was helpful. They rebuild Onan boards but not Kohler because they are potted. Ordered the board from Parts for Tech and it was $270 with shipping and came in 2 days. It was good to hear the genset running normally again. Thanks for all your help.
Born_To_Travel
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
Those control boards are expensive. But these guys are good so they know what they are talking about..
Gjac
Explorer III
Jun 26, 2015
I called parts tech again today and got a hold of of a tech named Dennis. He described the operation as born to travel did earlier He thought the mag pick up was not the problem thought it just would not start if it was bad. Because the steper motor was moving the the governor arm he thought that was good, which leaves the control board. When I took the cover off there were two control boards one in front of the other. Waiting for a call back to see which one.
John_Joey
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015
Because you're on a trip I'll throw something out there, otherwise I wouldn't. I don't think this is it, but when an engine is lean it will sometime run fast. If you lightly mist some carb cleaner spray over the carb (no air filter) will that change the RPM's. Would be nice if it was so simple as a dirty air filter plus an out of adjustment carb.

Sorry about parts for tech, a few years back I had outstanding service from them.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2015
jplante4 wrote:
Gjac wrote:
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.

Then why did you say 'idle'? 1800 RPM is not 'idle'.

I think I'm going to stop replying to these "help me" threads.
. Maybe not the best wording on my part , it is not being governed I have no way of knowing the rpm, no tach, I just know it is running at max rpm(racing).
jplante4
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2015
Gjac wrote:
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.

Then why did you say 'idle'? 1800 RPM is not 'idle'.

I think I'm going to stop replying to these "help me" threads.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2015
John&Joey wrote:
When I had my Kohler, parts for techs were a big help.
I called them two days ago and left a message about my problem but have not heard back from them yet. I am in Yellowstone now and the cell service is spotty.
John_Joey
Explorer
Jun 23, 2015
When I had my Kohler, parts for techs were a big help.
John_Joey
Explorer
Jun 23, 2015
dup post

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