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15–20 kW standby control board

4

Engine does not start

Fuel · Shutdown

Service code 4. The display scrolls Engine Does Not Start and the remote LED flashes four times. On a start command the panel sends 12 VDC on pin 3, wire 56, to the starter contactor for 10 seconds, pauses 10 seconds, and will do that for 6 attempts. It also feeds the fuel solenoid on pin 4, wire 14. The manual's cause list includes no or low alternator output, inadequate fuel, the wrong fuel-selector setting, a fuel solenoid that does not open, a damaged starter or loose starter connections, a loose governor connection, a clogged air filter, worn or fouled spark plugs, and damaged wiring. If the engine starts and then shuts down on this same scroll, the manual says the panel is seeing no voltage or frequency, and a short in the main breaker or wiring is one cause.

Seen on: Briggs & Stratton 15 kW and 20 kW standby generator systems covered by manual 381268GS Rev. A.

Likely causes

  • Fuel supply, fuel-selector position, or a fuel solenoid that does not open.
  • Clogged air filter, fouled spark plugs, or a starter that does not crank.
  • The engine fires but the panel never sees voltage or frequency.

Checks an owner can do

  1. Confirm the fuel supply and that manual fuel valves are open. Confirm the fuel selector matches the fuel you have, if your set has one.
  2. With the engine off, look for a plug wire that is obviously off and for an air filter that is packed solid.

When to call a pro

The manual's next steps open the control panel and test the fuel solenoid, regulator, and spark. Those are technician tests. To reset the service-code system, the manual says to hold OFF until the display stops scrolling the code, hold OFF at least 7 more seconds until the display turns off, leave it off at least 30 seconds, correct the cause, then hold AUTO and reinstall the 15 amp fuse if you removed it.

Source

Briggs & Stratton Service & Troubleshooting Manual, Standby Generator System 15 kW–20 kW, manual 381268GS Rev. A (service code list and the matching code chapters).

Wording follows that document. Firmware can change a threshold. If this page and the manual shipped with your unit disagree, follow the manual.

What fixed mine

No approved reports for this code yet. Send one. It stays in the review queue until it is approved.

https://generatorcodes.com/brand/briggs-stratton/4