Kohler 5ECU starts runs 20 seconds and stops

R

Ralph vaughn

Member
Nov 14, 2018
259
Atlanta Ga
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray 290 radar & GPS, triple axle trailer. 2006 Sea Ray 280 radar & GPS & triple axle tlr
Engines
5.0 MPI closed cooling Sea Core engines & Bravo III outdrives
4.3 MPI with alpha outdrives
Generator starts and runs for 20 seconds and stops. I’ve been trying to trouble shoot this problem for weeks. I found an Internet post that said this is symptomatic of one of the automatic shut-0ff services Turning the engine off when there is low antifreeze, low fuel pressure, low raw water pressure, high temperature etc. The services each have a sensor that if outside of given parameters automatically shuts down the generator. The only code I get is UU. I would like to individually by pass the sensor to see if the engine will start.

my question is can I connect a wire to the two sensor leads and will this trick the engine into thinking the sensor is working properly. As you can tell I’m clueless about electrical components.

thanks again for everyone’s help

Ralph
 
5ECD, OR 5ECU? Never seen the 5ECU. Regardless, UU is under voltage. make sure everything is turned off before you crank. If it is, then the generator is not creating enough voltage based upon the settings.
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Here is a more detailed walk through on the UU trouble shooting, assuming it is a 5ECD, one thing to do is to just turn on the single Breaker for the outlets, then have someone measure the voltage with a meter, if it is reading (120 or 240) * 80% or less, so < 96 or 192 volts, then at least you know the UU is correct, if it is 120-ish or 240-ish, then the sensor detecting the voltage is wrong... I can email you full service manual if needed, pm me... (Full disclosure, I’m not a mechanic, by any stretch, I just keep reading this manual...)

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Todd:

thanks for the information. Yes I would like a copy of the service manual. What is pm. My email is ralphvaughn0702@gmail.com.
 
I have a couple friends that have Kohler gens and they have to “burp” the cooling system every so often because they shut down
 
Chris-380 said:
I have a couple friends that have Kohler gens and they have to “burp” the cooling system every so often because they shut down
Click to expand...

Sounds like they might need to bleed the system. There's a bolt they can unscrew, opposite end of the heat exchanger from the radiator cap.
 
firecadet613 said:
Sounds like they might need to bleed the system. There's a bolt they can unscrew, opposite end of the heat exchanger from the radiator cap.
Click to expand...
I did this the other week. Open cap and bolt, shake the generator, add an ounce or two if possible of coolant, shake again. In the end, my coolant level was fine, but good to learn how to do this.
 
Todd320 said:
I did this the other week. Open cap and bolt, shake the generator, add an ounce or two if possible of coolant, shake again. In the end, my coolant level was fine, but good to learn how to do this.
Click to expand...

I was thinking they had to run it with the the something open to let the air out. could be the bolt fire cadet mentioned. I am just going by what i heard on the dock. @Coz might know more about it
 
Chris-380 said:
I was thinking they had to run it with the the something open to let the air out. could be the bolt fire cadet mentioned. I am just going by what i heard on the dock. @Coz might know more about it
Click to expand...

Loosten the bolt and run it to bleed the air. I can't recall if I did it with the cap on or off.
 
Having had a similar problem I learned in addition to the error code reading in association with fail safe system i.e. low water pressure, low oil etc, if the unit detects the "back end" is not generating voltage it will shut down. Voltage is generated at two sources; the voltage regulator found on the controller probably adjacent to your generator of if the windings have failed. Unfortunately there is no real way to troubleshoot the issue other than replacing the voltage regulator which are quite expensive. In fact I have a brand new in my garage which cost $720.00 But, that is less expensive than having to remove the generator back end and in the extreme having to remove the generator from the engine bay because it cannot be easily serviced inside.
 
I don't believe that will be an output issue but more a carburetor problem due to lack of use. I would pull the carb, soak in carb cleaner and run some SeaFoam or something similar through the fuel lines
 
Todd320 I got the manual you sent. Still trying to find a Kohler generator mechanic in Atlanta. I’m on one waiting list with 26 jobs ahead of me.

ralph
 
I was able to run the gen today after using the shader valve to purge the fuel line. After 20 minutes it shut itself down with an error code of 1000. Will try the burping Thursday.
Thanks for the info.
Ralph
 
Should be shrader valve.
 
Seanile let me know what your trouble shooting finds. My gen is fuel injected I believe.
Ralph
 
roxino said:
Hi Ralph. Did you ever get the gene fixed?
Click to expand...
Still working on it. Finally got a mechanic that seems reliable and ethical and works a lot on Kohler Benny. He’s coming Friday to start trouble shooting.
 
Ralph vaughn said:
Seanile let me know what your trouble shooting finds. My gen is fuel injected I believe.
Ralph
Click to expand...

Main board, voltage board, shot impeller and cleaned the carb. Ran 100% PERFECTLY today under full and various loads and after about 45 min the exhaust pitch changed. I looked and zero water coming out. I'll look at it after my 3 spare impellers arrive thursday night. If the 45 min old impeller is still OK I will see if some of the old one is blocking flow.

Very frustrating. These things are awesome when they work, and when they don't I literally want to throw it overboard and buy a brand new one!!
 
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