Troubleshooting Guide - Wen GN4500 Instruction Manual

WARNING! Stop using the generator immediately if any of the following problems occur or risk serious
personal injury. If you have any questions, please contact customer service at 1-800-232-1195 (M-F 8-5 CST),
or email techsupport@wenproducts.com.
PROBLEM
Engine will not
start.
Engine runs
but there is no
electrical output
whatsoever.
Generator runs but
does not support all
electrical devices
connected.
Engine is "hunting"
during operation
(engine RPM is
fluctuating).
26

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

POSSIBLE CAUSE
Engine switch is set to OFF.
Fuel valve is turned to OFF.
Oil is low.
Engine is out of fuel.
Engine is filled with
contaminated or old fuel.
Spark plug is dirty or broken.
Carburetor is air locked.
Circuit breaker has been tripped
due to overload.
Bad connecting cords/wires.
Bad electrical device connected to
the generator.
Voltage regulator is bad
Carbon brushes worn or need
adjustment
Generator is overloaded.
Short circuit in one of the devices.
Air filter is dirty.
The fuel isn't running through the
fuel valve.
The air filter is clogged.
The muffler or spark arrestor is
blocked
There is gunk in the carburetor
preventing a consistent fuel/air
mixture.
Set engine switch to ON.
Turn fuel valve to ON.
Add or replace oil.
Add fuel.
Drain fuel in the tank. Fill with fresh fuel.
Clean or replace the spark plug.
Shut off the fuel valve. Remove the bolt from the bottom of the
carburetor. Take off the carburetor bowl to allow it to reset. Re-
place carburetor bowl and reinstall the bolt.
Turn off and unplug electrical device(s). Wait 5 minutes, then
press the circuit breaker to reset. Check the total wattage of the
devices and reduce the load if it exceeds the capacity of the gen-
erator. Then plug the loads back in one by one.
Check the power cords and extension cords. Do not use if any
cord is damaged. Replace damaged cords immediately.
Try connecting a different device.
Check voltage regulator with a multimeter, replace if necessary.
Check carbon brushes, adjust so that both brushes extrude the
same length, or replace if worn.
Turn off and unplug all electrical devices. Wait 5 minutes, then
press the circuit breaker to reset. Reduce load as necessary, then
plug devices back in one by one.
Try disconnecting any faulty or short-circuited electrical loads.
Clean or replace the air filter element.
Turn off the generator and wait for it to cool down. Check if the
fuel is properly and consistently going through the fuel valve.
Turn off the generator and wait for it to cool down. Check for any
blockage in the air filter. Check and clean the air filter as neces-
sary.
Turn off the generator and wait for it to cool down. Check if the
spark arrestor is blocked. Clean with metal brush as necessary.
Turn off the generator and wait for it to cool down. Use "gunk
remover" spray on the carburetor jets.
SOLUTION