Briggs & Stratton has over 110 years of experience and thousands of authorized dealers worldwide. This brand is trusted by millions of loyal customers for their reliable equipment including engines, generators, pressure washers, snow blowers, etc. There is a wide selection of generators for a variety of settings including portable generators, home generators, and light commercial standby generators. Some of the popular generator models are the 10000 Watt Standby Generator which is ideal for a medium sized home, the 12000 Watt Fortress Standby Generator System which is backup power for small to medium sized homes, and the 3500 Watt Portable Generator which is convenient for on-the-go situations like RV camping.
Briggs & Stratton Fault Detection System
Each Briggs & Stratton home generator system has a fault detection system. Due to the fact that “the generator may have to run for long periods of time with no operator present, the system is equipped with sensors that automatically shut down the generator in the event of potentially damaging conditions” (view source) as well as a control panel with a digital display that will indicate various fault codes such as, low oil pressure, under or over voltage, engine failing to start, low frequency, engine overspeed, high oil temperature, a transfer switch fault, and other conditions. The control panel will show both the fault code and a certain number of blinks on the remote LED indicator located “at a convenient inside location. The LED will remain lit when the generator is in AUTO. The LED will turn on and off in a series of blinks that correspond to the fault detected in your home generator. The blink pattern is repeated with a brief pause between each series of blinks.”. (view source)
Low Oil Pressure
Low oil pressure is an internal issue “indicated by fault code FC_2 and two blinks on the remote LED indicator. The unit is equipped with an oil pressure switch. The oil pressure switch uses normally closed contacts that are held open by engine oil pressure during operation. Should oil pressure drop below the 8 psi range, switch contacts close and the engine is shut down. To remedy the low oil pressure condition, add the recommended oil to the FULL mark on the dipstick. If the low oil pressure condition still exists, the engine will start, then shut down after about 20 seconds. The fault code will appear and the LED will flash. In this case, contact a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer.” (view source)
Low Voltage
Low voltage is a governor orgenerator issue“ indicated by fault code FC_3 and three blinks on the LED indicator. This condition is caused by a restriction in the fuel flow, a broken or disconnected signal lead, a failed alternator winding, the control panel circuit breaker is open, or the generator is overloaded. To remedy the problem, contact your installer or a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer.” (view source)
Engine Not Starting
The engine not starting could mean a problem with the fuel supply, battery, generator end, or that there are engine issues. It is“ indicated by fault code FC_4 and four blinks on the LED indicator. This feature prevents the generator from damaging itself if it continually attempts to start in spite of another problem, such as no fuel supply. Each time the system is directed to start, the unit will crank for 10 seconds, pause for 10 seconds, and repeat. If the system does not begin producing electricity after approximately 2 minutes, the unit will stop cranking and the LED will blink. Check to make sure the generator’s main circuit breaker is in the ON position in order for the sensing leads to verify that the unit is running. The most likely cause of this problem is no fuel supply. Check the inside and outside fuel shut off valves to ensure they are fully open. Other causes could be failed spark plug(s), failed engine ignition, or the engine air filter is clogged. You may need to contact your installer for assistance if you can’t remedy these problems.” (view source)
Low Frequency
Low frequency is a fault “ indicated by fault code FC_5 and five blinks on the LED indicator. This feature protects devices connected to the transfer switch by shutting the generator down if the engine runs slower than 55 Hz for three seconds. This condition is caused by a failed engine governor or by excessive loads on the generator. To remedy the problem, contact your installer or a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer.” (view source)
Engine Overspeed
Engine overspeed “is indicated by fault code FC_6 and six blinks on the LED indicator. This feature protects devices connected to the transfer switch by shutting the generator down if the engine happens to run faster than the preset limit. The overspeed fault is detected as follows: if the generator output frequency is 65-70 Hz, after three seconds, the generator will shut down and if the generator output frequency is greater than 70 Hz, the generator will shut down immediately. This condition is caused by a failed engine governor. To remedy the problem, contact your installer or a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer.” (view source)
High Oil Temperature
High oil temperature “is indicated by fault code FC_7 and seven blinks on the LED indicator. The contacts of the temperature switch are normally open. If the engine oil temperature exceeds approximately 148.9°C (300°F), the fault is detected and the engine shuts down. Common causes for this condition include running the unit with all access covers removed, obstructed air inlet or exhaust port, low oil level, or debris in the engine cylinder cooling fins. To resolve the problem, let the engine cool down and remove any accumulated debris and obstructions. Ensure that the access covers are installed whenever the unit is running.” (view source)
Transfer Switch Fault
A transfer switch fault “ is indicated by fault code FC_8 and eight blinks on the LED indicator (if the transfer switch is equipped with fault detection). The most likely cause of this fault is a blown fuse in the transfer switch. To remedy the problem, contact your installer or a Briggs & Stratton Authorized Dealer.” (view source)
Is Your Generator Showing These Error Codes?
A&J Generator and Equipment are your Briggs & Stratton standby generator experts! A & J Generator has a very in depth maintenance program made to find problems before outages exploit them. A&J performs 2 maintenance visits a year (every 6 months). A&J’s master Briggs and Stratton technicians know each model in and out. The maintenance program is meant for the homeowner to get the most out of their generator and prolong the life of their investment.
