www.iFourWinns.com

My generator stopped running while in use last summer. Since then I have replaced the circuit board, spark plugs, oil, and start silenoiod. I have rebuild the crab, tested the LOP, and tested the fuel pump. My new spark plugs are black. The engine will crank over but won't stay running. When I turn on the generator switch in the cabin it shows that voltage is coming through. Any ideas?

Does it have any compression?

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

I haven't been able to put a guage on it yet to check for compression. I know it isn't a real test but when I pulled the plug and held my thumb over the hole I can tell there was quite a bit of pressure.

Does it run at all? Please describe this better.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

when I hold the start button it seems to run but as soon as I let it go it will stop. I have ordered a new start stop switch to see if that may be a problem. I can that the fuel pump is operational. I have spark at the plugs when I pull them and ground them to the case and press the start button. My raw water pump is good because it is ejecting water out of the side of the hull. My coolant level is good as well.

Gerard, as a frustrated owner of a Kohler 4c, I strongly encourage you to call Kohler and find a local technician. You are going to throw parts, time and most importantly - money at this problem while an experienced Kohler repairman could have it fixed in minutes.

Trust me on this one. I swear on my Mother that my 4cz in my 278 Vista is possessed and put on this earth to give me high blood pressure...lol.

There are several things that can cause a no-run after you let go of the switch. Throwing parts at it isnt going to help anything but the parts suppliers.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

I would tend to agree with statement above. Since it does run and quits when letting off of the button, it is most likely a simple fix, but I would error on the side of caution and have a service tech do this one.

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1992 Baja 38 Special Twin 502 Mags

03 Stingray 3.0
88 261 Liberator 460 King Cobras
95 Bayliner 1850 3.0
77 Fiber Form 20ft 350/385hp
70 Wescraft 1800 SS 455 Jet

Lead, Follow, or get the Hell out of the Way!

Thanks guys. I will try the switch when it comes in amd then after that I will throw in the towel and have a tech look at it if there is one in my area.

Sorry for the delayed response, but just saw this, and based on experience, any chance you checked on/replaced the impeller?

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2004 Four Winns 328 Vista
1997 Larson Cabrio 290 - sold
1988 Rinker Fiesta Vee 248 - sold

I have and water is coming out overboard.

oil safety switch???? My Honda generator had a oil safety switch that only worked when it wanted...

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1989 Sundowner 205 5.8 L

It could be a loose connection on an engine switch (oil pressure, temp, etc), one of the switches themselves or a bad board. I've replaced the board on mine once already after having the same problem and couldn't convince the guy doing the work to do it...for some reason the big burned spot on the board didn't indicate a problem...duh! The things we put up with when stuff is under warranty.... I have also noticed that I have to hold the start switch until the engine smooths out when starting it cold or else it will die when released. I know sometimes it takes a few seconds for the oil pressure to come up and also full rpm have to be there for the board to see that the unit is running normally. Low oil, overheat and under volt conditions will all cause the board to shut the engine down. Don't be afraid to hold the start down for a thirty count or so. The board will disengage the starter as soon as the engine starts to run. If you ARE able to grind the starter with it running, that should help narrow down the problem as well. Best thing you can do is download a service manual for a 5e, the wiring schematics are a big help and the flow chart for troubleshooting the unit is surprisingly helpful.

*edit - also noticed you said your plugs were black...have you checked to make sure your choke is adjusted correctly and is opening all the way? A stuck choke would definitely soot your plugs up and also probably keep the engine from idling up all the way if it was making it run too rich. Also worn brushes in the excitation portion of the generator could cause a shutdown, just something else to keep in mind.

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Jack
2005 268 Vista - Sold

2001 Silverton 35C 8.1L Crusaders

I have tried adjusting the choke. I have disconnected the sensors to see if they were the problem. My next thought is to put a mechanical oil pressure guage on it to ensure it is getting some oil pressure. I also have the brushes to replace and will do that. While holding down the start button the starter will ocasssionally catch and grind the flywheel.

Checking oil pressure definitely isn't a bad idea...at this point anything that you can rule out in that shutdown circuit (like low oil pressure) would help you zero in on the problem.

Do you have a set of manuals? If you pm me your email address I can send you the .pdf for the service manual and parts manual for the 5e if you need them.

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Jack
2005 268 Vista - Sold

2001 Silverton 35C 8.1L Crusaders

Just an update in case anyone has a similar problem. It was my voltage regulator. I noticed that when I turn on switch from shore power to generator power and tried to start it that the voltage would jump all over the place and never reach 115v. The generator runs great now.