Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Powertech generator won't crank

December 14, 2023, 04:24:44 pm

The fuel shutoff solenoid blew the end out of it on my kubota powertech generator. Replaced the solenoid but now engine will not crank. Cleaned all connections, have 12 votes to everything. Fuel pump just clicks for a bit then board shows overcrank and overspeed. Was running fine before the solenoid went out. Any ideas.
Thanks,
Larry

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #1 – December 14, 2023, 06:06:44 pm

While you are waiting, I would call Jeff at Powertech in Leesburg, FL and see what he suggests.  Could be air in the lines, but not sure about over speed, but have seen that on mine when it does not fire right away!  Let us know!

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #2 – December 15, 2023, 08:37:50 am

Called Jeff but who knows how long before he calls back. I went ahead and removed the back panel to access the starter and found more terminals to clean on the positive and negative cables. Cleaning every connection I can find and hoping for the best. Just hope it's not a part no longer available.
Larry

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #3 – December 15, 2023, 09:36:47 am

See if you can get a helper to try and start while you check for voltage at the starter,if you get voltage the problem is the starter.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #4 – December 15, 2023, 06:38:08 pm

Thanks, will try that when I have time to crawl back under there.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #5 – December 18, 2023, 02:36:59 pm

I went out to mine and it didnt do anything.. Nothing.. No lights or anything when I tried the switch.

Opened the hatch and nothing worked. let it sit and came back out later and it fired right up.. Seems something is loose inside so I will look into it when I have time and energy. I had rebuilt everything inside the electrical so something must have bounced loose

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #6 – December 18, 2023, 05:24:13 pm

When you crawl under there take a jumper and jump the solenoid and if it starts you know some
where you are not getting power to the solenoid and if it doesn't start the problem is the starter
solenoid or not getting power from the battery or the battery.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #7 – December 20, 2023, 01:52:08 pm

Yesterday I went to fire the generator up and after a few seconds nothing happened I could hear relays clicking but nothing. But I checked my oil level it was low so it did what it was supposed to. Not sure where I'm losing oil though. I think it was burning it. I added about a gallon brought it up halfway on the mark and it started right up with no issues.
Unfortunately I can't see the back end of the generator to tell if there's something leaking there. I need one of those remote cameras that you can put in tight spaces.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #8 – December 20, 2023, 01:59:02 pm

JRE.  You added a gallon, that's quite a bit if yours holds 5 quarts like our 4 cyl kubota.  Perhaps it was a quart.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #9 – December 20, 2023, 05:55:11 pm

It's a good thing it didn't fire up as you would only have a quarte left in the engine.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #10 – December 20, 2023, 09:31:59 pm

No it's not a quart. I had a gallon of shell rotella
That was about 3/4 full I put all of that in there and added some more from another bottle. They could be half gallon. I'll have to check it tomorrow. Either way yeah lucky I checked.
It's been running fine other than a coolant replacement once in awhile. Something must be happening behind and I don't have enough room to get in there and see.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #11 – December 20, 2023, 10:10:46 pm

If your generator is an open one, slide to generator out. The bottom cove can be removed to give you access to the back of the generator 4 bolts 1/2 wrench if I recall.

Quote Selected

Re: Powertech generator won't crank

Reply #12 – December 21, 2023, 11:55:49 am

I have the back cover off with good access to the starter. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be done in my shop and can jumper the starter to see is it will turn over. If it does I'm ordering a new controller. Never have heard back from Jeff at PT so not much help there. I'll just start replacing parts till it works. Still way cheaper than paying 200 bucks an hour at the rv dealer.
Larry

Quote Selected