Generac Q55g

[jlyon69]

Since I bought my present MH several months ago, I've noticed the genny takes quite some time to start. After a good inspection and some searching, I discovered the auto-choke isn't working. When I manually push the choke solenoid in, it fires instantly.

Has anyone else had this problem with Generac's? Is this just a solenoid problem or could it be a circuit board?

[garym114]

Just a solenoid and linkage problem. I even added another solenoid ground wire hoping that would help, it didn't.
I cleaned up and lubricated all the choke linkage. That worked for a couple of years but now it is sticking again. There is a bimetal choke also, attached to the same linkage.
You have to take the air filter housing off to get to all the linkage. The hard part is getting the housing and little breather tube back on. PIA

[Dave78Chief]

Hopefully this service manual might help you a little.
http://www.guardiangenerators.com/PublicPDFs/94468.pdf

Hard start T/S flow chart is on page 24.

Dave

[jlyon69]

I bench tested the old solenoid and it was bad. I ordered a new one, bench tested and installed...nothing! I have to suspect something wrong with the circuit board also. There are 2 wires coming to the choke. 1.) is continuous 12VDC to power the choke heater and 2.) goes to the solenoid. It's suppose to put out 12VDC for 1 second and off 2 seconds. Volt meter reports zero volts during starting. I guess my next step is to check that connection on the board. Thanks for the manual Dave, it certainly helped.