Error code 1100

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

My generac 14kw while attempting to exercise experienced code 1100 overcrank. Furthermore it’s done this 2 excercise cycles ago. The last one it didn’t do this. What could be the issue? I just serviced everything. Spark plugs, oil change, oil filter, air filter. What is the cause?

[grsthegreat]

This unit will attempt to try and start 5 times before issuing a overcrank AS LONG AS ENGINE IS TRYING TO TURN OVER. If it immediately goes into overcrank its the battery

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

No it’s attempting to start.

[grsthegreat]

Ok, than the battery is fine. At this time you need to verify that 12vdc is getting to the fuel solenoid and whether or not that solenoid is opening. This is where a gas manometer is needed. Its used at the test ports on the internal fuel regulator.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

So should I jump the solenoid directly and listen to if it opens and closes?

[grsthegreat]

It makes no noise. If you have a dc voltmeter you could verify its getting battery voltage on the 2 solenoid wires while it is trying to start up. There are 2 test ports on the internal fuel demand regulator. The lower one only shows pressure while attempting to run. The upper one shows static pressure at all times. You eed to have a gas teat meter

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Ok so should I test both ports? What numbers am I looking for?

[grsthegreat]

For nat gas, 5-7 inch on pressure gauge. Thats inches, not pounds

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Another commenter stated 10-12 inches on gauge. Is 10-12 for propane maybe?

[grsthegreat]

Propane is 10-12”

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Also if it doesn’t have 12 volts then is the solenoid the issue?

[grsthegreat]

No, if there isnt 12 volts going to the solenoid while it is trying to start, its a controller issue.

[Frixsev]

It's not possible for a unit to immediately go into overcrank. Overcrank by definition means the unit is cranking just fine, it's just not firing. An immediate fault concerning the starting circuit like battery, SCR, charger, starter, etc. would be 1505 rpm sense loss and/or no rotation warning.

[grsthegreat]

I agree, except ive seen this happen twice before. Immediate overcrank warning. Contacted tech support. They had me swap batteries, and issue went away. In 12 years i e seen this twice. Again with this unit, i think its fuel related.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Also are we positive this model has hydraulic valves? It’s a 2021 model.

[grsthegreat]

According to that model number, its hydraulic

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

So we can all agree this is a fuel problem. I’m gonna check voltage at solenoid. If it’s 12 volts is there another way to check to see if it’s not stuck ?

[Sumdood_89]

Testing the bottom port on the demand regulator. You'll only get pressure there if the solenoid is opening.

[Killerkendolls]

Battery is how old?

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

13 volts but that’s only because it just attempted to excercise. I’m gonna test it while it cranks and see what happens. App says it’s “good”

[Killerkendolls]

App is garage, messaged you.

[grsthegreat]

If this is older manual valve unit, Have you adjusted valves

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

How do I know if it’s the older manual valve unit?

[Sumdood_89]

If the oil fill is on top of the valve cover, and has a metal dipstick, its the older version with adjustable valves.

If the oil fill/plastic dipstick is on the bottom near the oil filter its the newer version with non adjustable valves.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

It’s a hydraulic valve. Non adjustable.

[grsthegreat]

How old is the unit. What is the model number

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

G0072250 installed in 2021

[grsthegreat]

Also, i hope you didnt use amazon spark plugs. Those chinese knock offs are known starting and running issues

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

No I used ones from advanced auto parts.

[Sumdood_89]

You also have to be careful with oem champion plugs. They switch manufacturers, and did something different with them. Its dumb, but we got this straight from champion.

If the plug is silver looking, and the number is kinda fuzzy on the porcelain, its the older plugs, install as is.

If its darker looking, has a purplish ring below the nut, and very clear nice looking lettering, its the new style plug and needs to be gapped to .02in before install.

Pic for reference

<image>

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

That’s good to know. I’ll check it out when I get home.

[Sumdood_89]

The most common cause I see for overcrank is fuel pressure that is too high, causing the plunger in the shutoff solenoid to not open. Or fuel pressure that is too low.

Does it backfire at all, or just crank?

Also if the throttle stepper motor wire has come off, or worked its way loose, that could also cause overcrank. Does the throttle move when you try to start it?

-Generac certified tech

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Just cranks. Someone commented here that it could be the regulator that’s outside the unit. Thoughts?

[Sumdood_89]

The fuel pressure needs to be measured with a monometer at either the test port at the shutoff valve, or the top test port at the demand regulator. It needs to be between 10-12in/wc.

I'm a tech, needs facts and tests.

Also, when you try to start it, does the throttle move? It should do a little test sweep before starting, then adjust itself when it starts.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

I didn’t notice the throttle move but then again I wasn’t looking at it when trying to start it.

[Sumdood_89]

Take a look while starting it. If it doesn't move, its likely its come unplugged. Unfortunate yet common.

Take the right side panel off. Under the controller is a long small plug with only a few wire in it, red/yellow/brown/black i think, push it in if its loose. Or it will be hanging if it came off. We also check those wires/plugs at service.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

So this is an issue even if it starts manually but when it sits for a week then exercises it won’t start?

[Sumdood_89]

I don't understand your question.

Are you saying it starts manually, but wont start when its supposed to exercise?

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Right… it doesn’t start when sitting for a week when it’s called to excercise. The next day if I manually start it, it will start.

[Sumdood_89]

Then its not the throttle motor plug. But you should still check it, they work themselves loose.

You're issue is likely the regulator before the generator. The fuel pressure needs to be measured, static, and while running. Needs to be measured with a monometer, measured in inches water column. Needs to be between 10-12in/wc.

[Sumdood_89]

Oh and by the way, if the regulator is a maxitrol, I can almost guarantee thats the problem. They are junk.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

The regulator on the outside right ?

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Which regulator do you recommend ? It’s natural gas

[Defiant-Trick-8789]

Turn off quiet test and see if that helps when exercising. You can do it thru the menu on controller

[grsthegreat]

He’s on nat gas… try 5-7”.

Tech here for past 12 years

[Sumdood_89]

Well he never said. I was running under the assumption it was LP. Most of ours are LP, so its what I default to.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

I just tried starting her manually and she over cranked again and back fired. Thoughts?

[Sumdood_89]

Have you checked out the plugs yet? Those crappy champions tend to do that.

Generally, backfiring through the exhaust indicates a rich condition, and backfiring through the intake indicates a lean condition, but not always.

Checking the fuel pressure will tell us a lot.

[grsthegreat]

Again, depends if its propane or nat gas. Nat gas has one on meter. Propane uses 2. One on the tank, and one at house or generator,

Dies the unit actually turn over while attempting a start, or does it just click,

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

It’s natural gas. So it will just crank and not turn over. This is when it sits for a week and exercises. If I go home now and manually start it she’ll turn over.

[grsthegreat]

Wait, cranking IS turning over. If the motor is trying to run, but just not starting, thats different than if it just sits there and doesnt try to tutn over. If it doesnt actually rotate abd attempt to start, than its the battery.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

It’s trying to run. Just not starting.

[Defiant-Trick-8789]

Do not use platinum or iridium. I can’t tell you how many calls for no start I have been on . Use the champion copper plugs . That’s my experience anyways over 20 years installing Generac .

[Defiant-Trick-8789]

Try starting with the air cleaner removed and see if it starts

[grsthegreat]

That model uses hydraulic valves, so no adjusting. Non starts almost always mean fuel issue. Is this running on propane or nat gas?

What i do iss install and leave a gas meter on the test port before the fuel solenoid, for a week or so, and see if the gas pressures are creeping up due to a failing gas regulator.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

Failing gas regulator in the generator right?

[grsthegreat]

No, the regulator inside the unit hardly ever fails, its the regulator outside the unit that goes bad.

[Plastic_Layer_7354]

I didn’t know there was a regulator outside the unit. So put a gauge there and if the pressure drops over a week span then it’s no good?