Guardian Hard Cranking / No Crank

Generator cranks slowly or not at all; clicking noise from starter area but engine does not turn over.

Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

Possible Causes

Weak or discharged battery, Corroded battery terminals, Failed starter solenoid, Seized starter motor

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Ensure the controller is in OFF and the main breaker is open. Wear eye protection around the battery.

Test battery: Measure voltage while attempting to crank. If it drops below ~9.6 V, replace the battery.
Clean and tighten terminals: Remove corrosion from battery posts and cable ends, then tighten securely.
Check solenoid connections: Inspect the starter solenoid terminals for loose nuts or burned contacts.
Starter replacement: If full battery voltage reaches the starter but it does not turn, replace the starter motor assembly.

Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Starter Solenoid

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