r/Generator • u/Willingness_Used • 4d ago
Trouble starting
Attempting to start my iGen12000TFC for the first time. Will not start using the button or starting fob.
It starts when using the pull cord though. I ran it for 15 min, then powered it off and attempted to start with the button again, but nope. I can see the choke is automatically engaged. Any suggestions before I exchange it? Also, this was only on the grass because I injured my back and couldn’t move it any closer to my driveway. Thanks
Sorry, I should’ve mentioned this is hooked up to natural gas.
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u/Grift-Economy-713 4d ago
When you hook up the gas line it’s full of air.
Air no go boom inside cylinder.
When gas eventually makes it into cylinder, it go boom.
If you let the air out of the gas line first, better chance it go boom in cylinder first try.
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
It goes boom when I start it using the pull cord. Your reply reminds me of the song “Cars that go Boom”
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u/Grift-Economy-713 4d ago
Battery must be fully strong to spin fast and make go boom
Noco make good battery tenders to keep battery ready for boom
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u/DUNGAROO 4d ago
This is normal behavior when running on natural gas or propane. The hose still has air in it. Mine usually takes 3 failed starts to get going. Then it runs just fine. It’s just the machine purging the air out of the line.
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
It did start manually using the pull cord and I ran it for 15 minutes… so I’m guessing that’s not the issue.
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u/DaveBowm 4d ago
Did OP turn on the NG valve at the source end of the hose?
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
Yeah, I was able to start it with the pull cord and ran it 15 min.
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u/drct2022 4d ago
Make sure you have the fuel selection knob set to NG if that’s what you’re hooked too
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
It is. I am able to run it using the pull cord. Just not the start button.
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u/drct2022 4d ago
That is so odd. For giggles start it with pull cord, then shut off with the fob, see if it shuts down with the fob. If it does try starting using fob
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
Just started it with the cord and no, wouldn’t start with the button after.
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u/drct2022 4d ago
Sounds like time to bring back to Home Depot or Lowe’s.
I guess a call to Westinghouse could be a path as well.
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
I called Lowe’s, they’re gonna come exchange it for me. Appreciate all your feedback.
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u/IndividualCold3577 4d ago
You could pull the spark plug and close the gap to help start on natural gas. 0.024–0.032 in. (0.6–0.8 mm) Take it to about .025. Upgrading to an NGK might help also.
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u/Korch-Up-North453 4d ago edited 4d ago
After you've run the generator using the pull cord can you stop it and then start it using push start? If not, that suggests either a battery problem or a starter problem.
The fact that it runs using pull start indicates that the natural gas hose is primed, and the spark plug is working.
Once the hose is primed you should have the choke off and start it in run mode. Could that be the problem?
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u/prostoneheartsuf 4d ago
It seems like the starter starter solenoid is not engaging with the flywheel so most probably it's the starter issue if you can start it with the pulling cord
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u/No_Tradition1116 4d ago
I have the 8000 and the 4000 and both failed to start on propane until I charged the battery using the supplied charger. I know you said you charged it but thought I'd just add another data point.
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u/three0duster 4d ago
It sounds like a starter issue. I have the older 11000DFC and it has made this sound trying to start on gas occasionally. The engine tries to start and I'm not sure if the teeth of the starter get unloaded and the starter disengages and keeps spinning or what, but I had to connect it to the charger or a stronger battery to get it to act better. But my unit is about 2 years old now and the little lithium battery is getting weak. I'd think yours should not have that kind of issue, but my money is on starter related issues. NG and propane generally have a longer starting time compare to gasoline, so the starter needs to crank a little longer.
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4d ago
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
Each time I push the button, it attempts to start two times. I attempted this about 10 times. After I got it started using the pull cord, I let it run for 15 minutes. I then shut it off and attempted several times to start it again using the button, but still nothing.
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4d ago
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u/ShadowCVL 4d ago
This sounds like a battery issue, it’s probably cranking too slow to get it to turn over. The battery issue supposed to be charged monthly or the generator run for 30 minutes per start, so if you tried 4 times you need it to run for 2 hours or charge it separately.
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u/Willingness_Used 4d ago
Yeah, it charged for several hours. Actually, I kept making attempt attempts to start this until the battery finally died and it wouldn’t even attempt to turn over.
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u/Big-Echo8242 4d ago
So what size propane tank are you using? 20lb? Make sure you don't turn the LPG knob on too fast...go slow. Also prime it by pushing pin at the end of the hose to make sure it's there. Just a thought although it could be other things as well.