[Kyle]

I have a 1987 40' coach #130. I was preparing for a trip had the generator running, ac on, a couple things plugged in and it suddenly died. 
Thought maybe it was low enough on fuel, filled up both tanks, but no.
Tried restarting, it turns over fine and starts for a second then loses power to the fuel shutoff solenoid.
Ran a hot wire to the fuel shutoff runs fine but won't generate electricity. 
I replaced the starter solenoid since it supplies the fuel shutoff with power, replaced the relays in the control, replaced the starter switch, replaced a few questionable ground wires, and checked what fuses I could find but still the same. Cranks won't start.
I spoke with newell and they are sure it should have had a fire extinguisher in the generator compartment, but it doesn't anymore so guessing it had been eliminated and bypassed in years past. 
At this point I'm to the extent of my shade tree mechanic ability and am hoping for a little help please.
Also should mention the generator is a Kohler and was told the engine is a perkins.

[Jack Houpe]

Welcome Kyle to the forum, if it runs fine when you hot wire the shutdown solenoid then you have a sensor someplace that is faulty or a wire broken or bad, low oil pressure sensor, over temp sensor or something of that nature. We have the best generator man in the USA here on this forum and I hope he chimes in.

[Kyle]

Ok I'll see about testing or bypassing some sensors and see what happens. Thank you

[Tf175]

Kyle ,
I am away from my manual at the moment , but the safety shutoff system on the Kohler generator requires oil pressure and water temp in range as Jack pointed out . Another thing is the generator has to be producing current . I had a problem with the brushes on mine that caused a no output condition , the engine would run as long as starter was engaged, then shut off . We ran a wire as you described , then noticed the cooling blower wasn't working ( no AC output from gen) .
If memory serves one of the brushes had actually broken .
Chris

[Kyle]

Ok I will start with the sensors and cross my fingers hoping it's not a brush issue, although the situation you are describing is exactly what mine is doing. Thanks for the help guys, I'll definitely let you know what we find.

[Richard]

Hopefully Bestgenman will come along shortly, but I once was trying to fix another dude’s genset with exactly the same symptoms. Gordon told me the genhead had to produce current to make it keep running.

It would start, but as soon as you let off the start switch, the fuel shutoff solenoid would retract.

I know I am repeating what Chris said. Just trying to add it to the support of the idea to check the genset head.

And great to hear from you Kyle. You still on Lake Greenwood? I met a Newell owner who says he has a lot there. Ken Meinke.

[Kyle]

Sensors checked out ok. Sounds like I need to move on to the generator head. I'm not very familiar with this process so I'm calling in a local guy that works on just about everything, mostly motorhomes and rvs. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon I will have a better update.
Must be a different Kyle, I live in Iowa and unfortunately not on a lake

[bestgenman]

Kyle, the two sensors for protection are ground (negative) sensing.  Don’t confuse them with the sensors for the gauges.  The shutdown switches have bullet style connectors as opposed to threaded studs and nuts. If you lift the wire from the sensor and it still shuts down, then they are not your problem.  As mentioned by other esteemed contributors, check your fan motor while starting.  If it is turning then your have some output, if not it could be the excitation system (voltage regulator) or brushes.  I don’t see any reference to the engine hours but it takes thousands to wear out brushes, that doesn’t mean they aren’t suspect but I’d rather think it’s something else.
You are welcome to call me but leave a VM as my phone won’t ring if you aren’t in my contact list. 614-271-7488.

I’m not sure of the switch style on your Perkins. It won’t hurt if you disconnect switch and sender. If you hold the solenoid in to keep it running, check your fan.

[Kyle]

Ok checked the hours it has 2,021 hrs.
We disconnected what I believe are the switches and cranked still not starting or turning the fan.
We disconnected the sending units and switches at the same time still not staying running or turning the fan.
Did the same tests with the jumper wire to the fuel solenoid to keep it running longer, still not turning the fan or generator anything.

[Kyle]

After more testing and more digging, and alot of help from Gordon I believe we found the problem. I don't want to speak too soon but it's looking like it is a bad brush.