GE Standby Generators Error Codes
Complete list of fault codes and troubleshooting guides. Use the search below to find your specific error.
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Charger Fault
The controller displays 'Charger Fault' or 'Battery Charger Failure'; battery voltage may be low despite AC power being present.
Integrated Battery Charger Failure
Communication Fault
The controller displays 'Comm Fault' or 'Network Error', or it cannot communicate with the remote display or ATS.
Control Communication Bus Failure
Exercise Fault
The controller displays 'Exercise Fault' or 'Missed Exercise'; the generator has not been running its weekly test.
Scheduled Exercise Run Failure
Frequency Error
The controller displays 'Freq Error', 'High Freq', or 'Low Freq'; the transfer switch may refuse to transfer.
Generator Output Frequency Out of Range
Generator Failure to Re-transfer
Utility power returns, but the load remains on the generator; the controller may show 'Re-transfer Fault' or 'Utility Sense Fault'.
Automatic Transfer Switch Re-transfer Failure
Generator Failure to Transfer
Utility power fails, the generator starts and runs, but the house does not switch to generator power; the controller may show 'Transfer Switch Fault' or similar.
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Failure
Ground Fault
The controller displays 'Ground Fault' or 'Earth Fault'; the generator may trip offline.
Ground Fault Protection Trip
High Engine Temperature
The generator shuts down with a 'High Temp' or 'Overtemp' alarm; the enclosure may feel very hot.
Engine Overheating Protection Trip
High Fuel Pressure
The controller displays 'High Fuel Pressure' or similar; the unit may shut down or run roughly.
Excessive Gas Supply Pressure at Inlet
Low Battery
Controller displays 'Low Battery' or 'Battery Low'; generator may crank slowly or not at all.
Low DC Cranking Voltage
Low Coolant Level
The controller displays 'Low Coolant' or 'Coolant Level Low' on liquid-cooled GE standby generators.
Coolant Level Sensor Alarm
Low Fuel Pressure
The generator shuts down or fails to start with a 'Low Fuel Pressure' or 'Fuel Pressure' alarm on LP/NG models.
Insufficient Gas Supply Pressure
Low Oil Pressure
The generator shuts down shortly after starting with a 'Low Oil Pressure' alarm; it may not restart until reset.
Engine Lubrication Pressure Loss
Neutral Fault
The controller displays 'Neutral Fault' or 'Neutral Loss'; abnormal voltages may be observed on 120 V circuits.
Neutral Conductor Open or High Resistance
Overcrank
Generator attempts to start multiple times but fails to run; controller displays 'Overcrank' and locks out start attempts.
Failure to Start – Overcrank Lockout
Overload
The controller displays 'Overload' or 'Load Shed'; the generator breaker may trip, and the unit may shut down under heavy use.
Generator Overcurrent / Overload Condition
Overspeed
Generator starts then quickly shuts down with 'Overspeed' alarm; engine sounds like it is racing before shutdown.
Engine Overspeed Protection Trip
Overvoltage
Controller displays 'Overvoltage' or 'High AC Voltage'; generator may shut down shortly after starting.
AC Output Voltage Too High
Phase Rotation Error
The controller displays 'Phase Rotation' or 'Phase Sequence Error' on three-phase GE standby generators.
Incorrect Phase Sequence at Output or ATS
Sensor Fault
The controller displays 'Sensor Fault' or 'Input Fault'; it may reference an oil, temperature, or speed sensor.
Engine Protection Sensor Circuit Failure
Service Required
The controller displays 'Service Required' or 'Maintenance Due'; the generator may still run but indicates scheduled service.
Scheduled Maintenance Interval Reached
Starter Fault
The controller displays 'Starter Fault' or 'Starter Locked'; the engine does not crank, or the starter runs continuously.
Starter Motor or Solenoid Circuit Failure
Underspeed
Generator runs, but the controller displays 'Underspeed' or 'Low Frequency'; the unit may shut down or fail to transfer.
Engine Running Below Rated Speed
Undervoltage
Controller displays 'Undervoltage' or 'Low AC Voltage'; lights may dim or transfer switch may not transfer to generator.
AC Output Voltage Too Low
Symptom
Controller display is blank or unreadable.
Control Panel Power or Display Failure
Symptom
Corrosion or rust forming inside the generator enclosure.
Environmental Corrosion Damage
Symptom
Generator engine hunts or surges up and down in speed.
Unstable Governor Operation
Symptom
Generator fails to start automatically during a power outage but starts manually.
Auto Start Control Failure
Symptom
Generator is excessively noisy or has unusual knocking sounds.
Abnormal Mechanical Noise
Symptom
Generator leaks coolant under the unit (liquid-cooled models).
External Coolant Leak
Symptom
Generator leaks oil onto the pad or inside the enclosure.
External Engine Oil Leak
Symptom
Generator output breaker trips immediately when load is applied.
Instantaneous Overcurrent or Short
Symptom
Generator produces power, but voltage is unstable or fluctuates.
Unstable Voltage Regulation
Symptom
Generator runs but does not produce power (no AC output).
Loss of Excitation / No Output
Symptom
Generator runs continuously and does not shut down after utility power returns.
Failure to Stop / Continuous Run
Symptom
Generator shuts down when large loads (like AC or well pump) start.
Load-Induced Stall or Overload Trip
Symptom
Generator starts and stops repeatedly (short cycling).
Nuisance Start/Stop Cycling
Symptom
Generator starts, then stalls after a few seconds.
Run-Then-Stall Condition
Symptom
Generator vibrates excessively during operation.
Excessive Vibration
Symptom
Strong fuel or exhaust smell around the generator during operation.
Fuel or Exhaust Leak
Symptom
The generator cranks but will not start (no error code displayed).
No Start Without Logged Fault
| Error Code | Symptom | Fault Type | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charger Fault |
The controller displays 'Charger Fault' or 'Battery Charger Failure'; battery voltage may be low despite AC power being present.
|
Integrated Battery Charger Failure | View Details |
| Communication Fault |
The controller displays 'Comm Fault' or 'Network Error', or it cannot communicate with the remote display or ATS.
|
Control Communication Bus Failure | View Details |
| Exercise Fault |
The controller displays 'Exercise Fault' or 'Missed Exercise'; the generator has not been running its weekly test.
|
Scheduled Exercise Run Failure | View Details |
| Frequency Error |
The controller displays 'Freq Error', 'High Freq', or 'Low Freq'; the transfer switch may refuse to transfer.
|
Generator Output Frequency Out of Range | View Details |
| Generator Failure to Re-transfer |
Utility power returns, but the load remains on the generator; the controller may show 'Re-transfer Fault' or 'Utility Sense Fault'.
|
Automatic Transfer Switch Re-transfer Failure | View Details |
| Generator Failure to Transfer |
Utility power fails, the generator starts and runs, but the house does not switch to generator power; the controller may show 'Transfer Switch Fault' or similar.
|
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) Failure | View Details |
| Ground Fault |
The controller displays 'Ground Fault' or 'Earth Fault'; the generator may trip offline.
|
Ground Fault Protection Trip | View Details |
| High Engine Temperature |
The generator shuts down with a 'High Temp' or 'Overtemp' alarm; the enclosure may feel very hot.
|
Engine Overheating Protection Trip | View Details |
| High Fuel Pressure |
The controller displays 'High Fuel Pressure' or similar; the unit may shut down or run roughly.
|
Excessive Gas Supply Pressure at Inlet | View Details |
| Low Battery |
Controller displays 'Low Battery' or 'Battery Low'; generator may crank slowly or not at all.
|
Low DC Cranking Voltage | View Details |
| Low Coolant Level |
The controller displays 'Low Coolant' or 'Coolant Level Low' on liquid-cooled GE standby generators.
|
Coolant Level Sensor Alarm | View Details |
| Low Fuel Pressure |
The generator shuts down or fails to start with a 'Low Fuel Pressure' or 'Fuel Pressure' alarm on LP/NG models.
|
Insufficient Gas Supply Pressure | View Details |
| Low Oil Pressure |
The generator shuts down shortly after starting with a 'Low Oil Pressure' alarm; it may not restart until reset.
|
Engine Lubrication Pressure Loss | View Details |
| Neutral Fault |
The controller displays 'Neutral Fault' or 'Neutral Loss'; abnormal voltages may be observed on 120 V circuits.
|
Neutral Conductor Open or High Resistance | View Details |
| Overcrank |
Generator attempts to start multiple times but fails to run; controller displays 'Overcrank' and locks out start attempts.
|
Failure to Start – Overcrank Lockout | View Details |
| Overload |
The controller displays 'Overload' or 'Load Shed'; the generator breaker may trip, and the unit may shut down under heavy use.
|
Generator Overcurrent / Overload Condition | View Details |
| Overspeed |
Generator starts then quickly shuts down with 'Overspeed' alarm; engine sounds like it is racing before shutdown.
|
Engine Overspeed Protection Trip | View Details |
| Overvoltage |
Controller displays 'Overvoltage' or 'High AC Voltage'; generator may shut down shortly after starting.
|
AC Output Voltage Too High | View Details |
| Phase Rotation Error |
The controller displays 'Phase Rotation' or 'Phase Sequence Error' on three-phase GE standby generators.
|
Incorrect Phase Sequence at Output or ATS | View Details |
| Sensor Fault |
The controller displays 'Sensor Fault' or 'Input Fault'; it may reference an oil, temperature, or speed sensor.
|
Engine Protection Sensor Circuit Failure | View Details |
| Service Required |
The controller displays 'Service Required' or 'Maintenance Due'; the generator may still run but indicates scheduled service.
|
Scheduled Maintenance Interval Reached | View Details |
| Starter Fault |
The controller displays 'Starter Fault' or 'Starter Locked'; the engine does not crank, or the starter runs continuously.
|
Starter Motor or Solenoid Circuit Failure | View Details |
| Underspeed |
Generator runs, but the controller displays 'Underspeed' or 'Low Frequency'; the unit may shut down or fail to transfer.
|
Engine Running Below Rated Speed | View Details |
| Undervoltage |
Controller displays 'Undervoltage' or 'Low AC Voltage'; lights may dim or transfer switch may not transfer to generator.
|
AC Output Voltage Too Low | View Details |
| – |
Controller display is blank or unreadable.
|
Control Panel Power or Display Failure | View Details |
| – |
Corrosion or rust forming inside the generator enclosure.
|
Environmental Corrosion Damage | View Details |
| – |
Generator engine hunts or surges up and down in speed.
|
Unstable Governor Operation | View Details |
| – |
Generator fails to start automatically during a power outage but starts manually.
|
Auto Start Control Failure | View Details |
| – |
Generator is excessively noisy or has unusual knocking sounds.
|
Abnormal Mechanical Noise | View Details |
| – |
Generator leaks coolant under the unit (liquid-cooled models).
|
External Coolant Leak | View Details |
| – |
Generator leaks oil onto the pad or inside the enclosure.
|
External Engine Oil Leak | View Details |
| – |
Generator output breaker trips immediately when load is applied.
|
Instantaneous Overcurrent or Short | View Details |
| – |
Generator produces power, but voltage is unstable or fluctuates.
|
Unstable Voltage Regulation | View Details |
| – |
Generator runs but does not produce power (no AC output).
|
Loss of Excitation / No Output | View Details |
| – |
Generator runs continuously and does not shut down after utility power returns.
|
Failure to Stop / Continuous Run | View Details |
| – |
Generator shuts down when large loads (like AC or well pump) start.
|
Load-Induced Stall or Overload Trip | View Details |
| – |
Generator starts and stops repeatedly (short cycling).
|
Nuisance Start/Stop Cycling | View Details |
| – |
Generator starts, then stalls after a few seconds.
|
Run-Then-Stall Condition | View Details |
| – |
Generator vibrates excessively during operation.
|
Excessive Vibration | View Details |
| – |
Strong fuel or exhaust smell around the generator during operation.
|
Fuel or Exhaust Leak | View Details |
| – |
The generator cranks but will not start (no error code displayed).
|
No Start Without Logged Fault | View Details |
No matching codes found
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