Have a Kohler 6.5 gas gen, if I hold the start button down, the gen starts and will run as long as the start button is depressed, once I let it go it dies, any ideas?? Ro
The main thing with this genset is that it has a run relay that must be energized for it to stay running. If the engine is hitting running speed, then it must be an electrical issue, either it is not producing 110-120 volts, or the DC supply is not working (not getting 12VDC) could be an open fuse or a blown regulator.
Not sure of the year, but you may also want to take a look at a faulty low oil pressure / high temp switch. If these are giving a bad read, it will not let the motor continue to run - they are bypassed when in start mode.
I've got a Kohler 6.5 CZ23. I had the same problem which the local authorized service guys couldn't fix. I found it would always start and run at sea, but never at the dock. I tried holding the choke open while attemting to start at the dock. It worked. I pulled the carb and took it apart for a thorough cleaning. I found the galvanized steel tube used to marinize the carb had completely rusted inside effectively sealing it off. I got this open by using a torch and penetrating oil. The gen started right up after I put it back together. It was running rich so I turned the mixture screw in until it leaned out. It's started perfectly ever since.
I forgot, in addition to the above suggestions, if the govennor spring has gotten rusty, it may not be holding the gen-set at the right rpm's which will affect its Hz output (should be 60) and will shut it down.
