Sears Craftsman Generator.

[Gecee123]

I have a Craftsman 580.327257. I know its Generac because it says on the Air intake. It will start for about 5 to 10 seconds and shut off. Any idea how i can fix this? Any answers are accepted!! If you need more info just reply and I'll try to give it to you.

Thanks,

Gecee

[MoRo]

You can start by checking your oil level in the crankcase. Many of the newer gensets have a low oil shutdown feature which kills the engine, should the crankcase get low on oil. It will allow the engine to be started, but not to continue running.
Just a start.

[Gecee123]

I have tried that i looked in both of the areas to put it in and they are full to the top.. it does have that shut off feature though.. is it possible it could have gone out?

[MoRo]

I don't think it went out, or it wouldn't be shutting your engine down. I wonder if it's not overly sensitive? Is the genset on a level area?
Check to be sure the carb's got fuel in it. Could possibly be an ignition issue, too. Bad coil?

[Gecee123]

I dont know how to check the coil. i dotn even know what that part looks like. My dad says it has to be something to do with the carb though (the problem with the Gemerator. It is in our driveway so it is on a level surface

[K D Redd]

If the engine is a B&S without a dipstick, with the engine level the oil should come to the lip of the oil fill port. That is fill the engine with oil until the oil runs out.

Kent

[Don Smith]

When the engine shuts down, does it just quit like someone switched it off, or does it slow down and sputter a bit first? Quick shutoff would point to ignition while sputtering would point to fuel problems. Does it start right up again after quiting? Fuel problems would include clog in the fuel line, bad fuel filter (if there is one), carburator float sticking or incorrectly set. Ignition problems would include, bad plug when hot, low oil switch (disconnect to check), intermittant stop switch, bad points or incorrect gap setting. Some generators have circuits in the generator section to shut down if not generating power. Don

[Jim Rankin]

The oil level shutoff I had on a Kohler engine was defective right out of the box. It was a simple float switch screwed into the sump of the crankcase and shorted out the magneto just the same as the shutoff on the throttle control if the float wasn't floating in oil.

So if it was working properly, it would not allow the engine to start at all if too low, but could probably be just low enough on oil that once oil began to splash around there would no longer be enough in the sump to float it. I would think that was a long shot though. That one had to be screwed in until tight and stopped with the float oriented in the correct direction to work.

I disconnected the kill wire from it and insulated the end with tape and the engine ran perfectly.

[Gecee123]

The Generator starts right up if i put the choke on first. (that makes since cause it doesnt warm up enough in 5 secs) anyways when it starts i switch the choke to off so it runs normal. it runs normal great then its like it slows to a stop like the idle control kicked in or something (it acts like its going to idle out) then it shuts off.

[Gecee123]

Originally Posted by Don Smith

When the engine shuts down, does it just quit like someone switched it off, or does it slow down and sputter a bit first? Quick shutoff would point to ignition while sputtering would point to fuel problems. Does it start right up again after quiting? Fuel problems would include clog in the fuel line, bad fuel filter (if there is one), carburator float sticking or incorrectly set. Ignition problems would include, bad plug when hot, low oil switch (disconnect to check), intermittant stop switch, bad points or incorrect gap setting. Some generators have circuits in the generator section to shut down if not generating power. Don

Don,

How do i Disconnect the low oil shutoff?

[Jim Rankin]

Take the wire off the terminal on it. If two terminals and two wires, you may need to connect the two with a jumper and see if it will run that way. I'm betting on one terminal and just remove and tape the wire so it doesn't short out to the frame.

Your problem sounds more like a fuel supply issue. Have you tried removing the fuel tank cap or loosen it and see if that might make a difference. Probably not in 10 seconds of running, but you also might need to remove the carburetor fuel bowl or any drain plug and make sure you have a good supply of gasoline getting into the carburetor.

[Fred M.]

Gecee-

It won't start at all if the low-oil sensor is shorted. The on-off switch just shorts the ignition primary when turned off, and the oil sensor is connected across it.

Mine is the 580.32750, an earlier version of the same generator. It uses the Generac-Nagano GN-190 engine. Mine came with a carburetor that had idle speed, idle jet and high speed jet adjustments. Later versions of the carburetor are fixed-jet and only have the idle speed adjustment.

I'm guessing the carburetor just needs to be cleaned. If yours is the fixed-jet version, that saves a lot of grief!

Fred

[Gecee123]

i fixed it. i found out that it was the low oil shut-off. i disconnected it thru a connector. one end was on a bowl i think the sensor is there. the other end went to the cut off switch. i disconnected this plastic connector (no bare wires) and it runs great. i do have another question though. how do i fix this sensor? thanks to all of you By the way for all your help.

[Don Smith]

Without seeing it I would guess it is a level float type of switch. It usually held in the block by a couple of bolts. First check to see if there is any short of the wire or terminal on the outside of the block. If it is OK remove the float switch and check to see if the contact of the float is moving when the float arm is moved. It should show open when the float arm is raised. also check that the float actually floats. The engine might want more oil in the crankcase. Don