What an informative video. It was fun watching you disassemble this generator. I have taken apart my predator 3500 inverter generator several times and the first couple didn't feel as fun as watching you. I currently have 8428 hours on my generator and it has proven to be a great generator. Thanks for generating (get it) a really good video.
Man you just helped me figure out what is wrong with my Predator 2000. I tried disconnecting the low oil wire but not the dial. I disconnected the wires and it fired right up. I have used my 2000 watt for a few years and it has been very reliable until this happened.
I just bought one of these from the store as is for $300 and it didn't have spark. I disconnected the four pin with the two black kill wires from the little black box and it started. I plugged it back in and it is working fine... for now. I think I will buy all the ignition parts to keep on hand. Thanks for uploading.
Well done sir! Went thru the same excavation-for-access with a Predator 2000, even more unmaintainable than the 3500, will never buy a suitcase generator again.
I bought a new honda eu2200i 2 years ago. Ran it until it ran out of gas, changed the oil and stored it in the garage. Lat winter I needed it. Would not start. No fire. Just recently started working on it, it's coil test good, but weak spark, after it was taken apart. No spark before that. It died just sitting in a garage. Thankfully I had a champion generator that I thought would have been crap when I first got it, but it has never let me down in 3 years. I'm at the point of just throwing that honda in the garbage. I feel ur pain.
Thanks for posting this and the part 2 videos. I have one of these. Very happy with it but trying to learn everything about it in case have future issues I'll know what to consider.
Bought this generator 2 years ago. Nothing but trouble since day one. So sick of all the comments saying this is such a good generator when in fact it is the worst one I have ever had. Fouling is off the chart. Little under 100 hours and I have no spark. Junk as far as I'm concerned.
I had the exact same problem, harbor fraeght said never that problem before, mine was still u nder worenty they grabed one off the shelf, fortunitely for me.
No spark? Make sure you disconnect both the OIL Pressure switch wire which is on the rope pull side of the generator near the ignition module assy. (it's in the video someplace). Also, there's a kill switch attached to the ON/OFF/RUN fuel selector. You need to remove the knob (long phillips needed) and then remove the front panel. The wire is attached to the fuel selector and attaches to a connector. Disconnect the connector breaking the connection. The generator will run with these connections removed. If it still doesn't run then you have other problems... If you know how to use an ohmmeter, the connector and cable that goes to the Coil assy. has two wires, the two will read continuity to ground. The pickup coil (white wire) will read 200 ohms or thereabouts. The other (orange) is the Ignition coil primary. I don't recall what that measures but it should have continuity to ground. This is shown somewhere near the end of this video. It is also discussed and shown in Part 2 at the very beginning of the video.
It's on the page for generator. Scroll down about mid page. It is to the right of the "Product Overview". There is a link to a pdf (view available parts) and a phone number that says call this number for parts.
I have watched 28 minutes and have decided to never buy a 3500 watt predator generator. I have seen engine disassembly less complex. I would have to have two cameras, one on a head mount and another overhead view to just get this quiet genset back together. To me it seems we could somehow have direct fuel to 60hz 125v electricity with a solid state fuel cell.
Well, someplace in the video I told you to verify/disconnect two wires that can prevent spark BEFORE doing anything else. Did you disconnect the Low Oil Sensor switch (location is shown in the video) and if it still doesn't start, remove the screws from the front panel AND the screw in the center of the fuel selector knob and disconnect the engine kill switch connector behind the panel(also shown in the video)? Only after trying these two disconnects should you be looking elsewhere. The engine will run without both of these connections. Assuming you did all that, you should have measured the coil BEFORE replacing it...It should be 200 ohms and again, that is shown in the videos.... If that READS good then your next choices are the ignition module and the Stator coil itself. The ignition module is NOT available from HF but you can find it on amazon.
I actually removed the motor mounts from the frame at the vibration isolators and snuck it under there. If I have t do it again for any reason I'm forgoing tearing the front panel off and pulling the motor out completely
Como chequeo el regulador que esta debajo del estarter. ¿Tiene que ver con la chispa? o no. Voy chequal la bobina y el picos coil segun su video gracias por sus enseñansas no entiendo mucho el ingres.
Took mine out of the box. Won't start. Out of warrantee and no help from dealer or Harbor. I'm 85 and unable physically to work on it. $800.00 down the toilet!
The best overall explanation of the ignition system and how this generator ignition components function! Thank you
What an informative video. It was fun watching you disassemble this generator. I have taken apart my predator 3500 inverter generator several times and the first couple didn't feel as fun as watching you. I currently have 8428 hours on my generator and it has proven to be a great generator. Thanks for generating (get it) a really good video.
You are good. I took mine apart from the muffler end, along with the two upright supports and just rotated to the side. Thanks for being thorough.
Man you just helped me figure out what is wrong with my Predator 2000. I tried disconnecting the low oil wire but not the dial. I disconnected the wires and it fired right up. I have used my 2000 watt for a few years and it has been very reliable until this happened.
I just bought one of these from the store as is for $300 and it didn't have spark. I disconnected the four pin with the two black kill wires from the little black box and it started. I plugged it back in and it is working fine... for now. I think I will buy all the ignition parts to keep on hand. Thanks for uploading.
Modular are going bad on them so keep a extra and it may be bad to do switch it out
Well done sir! Went thru the same excavation-for-access with a Predator 2000, even more unmaintainable than the 3500, will never buy a suitcase generator again.
I bought a new honda eu2200i 2 years ago. Ran it until it ran out of gas, changed the oil and stored it in the garage. Lat winter I needed it. Would not start. No fire. Just recently started working on it, it's coil test good, but weak spark, after it was taken apart. No spark before that. It died just sitting in a garage. Thankfully I had a champion generator that I thought would have been crap when I first got it, but it has never let me down in 3 years. I'm at the point of just throwing that honda in the garbage. I feel ur pain.
Thanks for posting this and the part 2 videos. I have one of these. Very happy with it but trying to learn everything about it in case have future issues I'll know what to consider.
Bought this generator 2 years ago. Nothing but trouble since day one. So sick of all the comments saying this is such a good generator when in fact it is the worst one I have ever had. Fouling is off the chart. Little under 100 hours and I have no spark. Junk as far as I'm concerned.
I know there not that good because I work on small engines and I’ve had 2 with bad ing modules allready
@@philliphall5198do you know the good readings for the pick up coil and the ignition coil by chance?
I had the exact same problem, harbor fraeght said never that problem before, mine was still u nder worenty they grabed one off the shelf, fortunitely for me.
Thank you so much! Had a mouse climb in and eat the wire. What a Pain in the ass. Would've thrown it over a hill if it wasn't for this video
How do I test the stator? Already replaced igniter and coil still no spark!
FYI, sometimes HF will allow you to return the generator if you buy a service warranty when you return it. They’ve done that for me twice.
Painful disassembly!! I wonder if Harbor Freight or Predator has a school to teach repair of these units.
Same problem so I’m watching the videos. Mine has 563 hours over two years and now I’m having problems.
Where do I get the pulse coil?
It's a vapor canister. My 3500 won't start either so I'm hoping to follow your lead.
No spark? Make sure you disconnect both the OIL Pressure switch wire which is on the rope pull side of the generator near the ignition module assy. (it's in the video someplace).
Also, there's a kill switch attached to the ON/OFF/RUN fuel selector. You need to remove the knob (long phillips needed) and then remove the front panel. The wire is attached to the fuel selector and attaches to a connector. Disconnect the connector breaking the connection.
The generator will run with these connections removed. If it still doesn't run then you have other problems...
If you know how to use an ohmmeter, the connector and cable that goes to the Coil assy. has two wires, the two will read continuity to ground. The pickup coil (white wire) will read 200 ohms or thereabouts. The other (orange) is the Ignition coil primary. I don't recall what that measures but it should have continuity to ground. This is shown somewhere near the end of this video. It is also discussed and shown in Part 2 at the very beginning of the video.
Do you have the link for the coil assembly from harbor freight i can not find it ?
It's on the page for generator. Scroll down about mid page. It is to the right of the "Product Overview". There is a link to a pdf (view available parts) and a phone number that says call this number for parts.
I have watched 28 minutes and have decided to never buy a 3500 watt predator generator. I have seen engine disassembly less complex. I would have to have two cameras, one on a head mount and another overhead view to just get this quiet genset back together. To me it seems we could somehow have direct fuel to 60hz 125v electricity with a solid state fuel cell.
The pick up coil measure 243 ohms, do you think the coil need to be replaced? or that's good enough for no spark condition
That's a good coil.
@@kaydee457 Thank you, will continue with the diagnostics, maybe it's the cdi, not sure how to test that, $17 on amazon
Check oil no spark if low
I'm having same problem. I already ordered a new coil. And still no spark
Well, someplace in the video I told you to verify/disconnect two wires that can prevent spark BEFORE doing anything else. Did you disconnect the Low Oil Sensor switch (location is shown in the video) and if it still doesn't start, remove the screws from the front panel AND the screw in the center of the fuel selector knob and disconnect the engine kill switch connector behind the panel(also shown in the video)?
Only after trying these two disconnects should you be looking elsewhere. The engine will run without both of these connections.
Assuming you did all that, you should have measured the coil BEFORE replacing it...It should be 200 ohms and again, that is shown in the videos....
If that READS good then your next choices are the ignition module and the Stator coil itself. The ignition module is NOT available from HF but you can find it on amazon.
@@kaydee457 thank you for the reply. Going to do more work in the engine
How did you get the two bottom screws out???
Umm, what screws? Where and what are you referring to? There were many screws removed.
@@kaydee457 the bottom on the black shroud finally got them with a flexible extension
I actually removed the motor mounts from the frame at the vibration isolators and snuck it under there. If I have t do it again for any reason I'm forgoing tearing the front panel off and pulling the motor out completely
Como chequeo el regulador que esta debajo del estarter. ¿Tiene que ver con la chispa? o no. Voy chequal la bobina y el picos coil segun su video gracias por sus enseñansas no entiendo mucho el ingres.
That a good coil
Took mine out of the box. Won't start. Out of warrantee and no help from dealer or Harbor. I'm 85 and unable physically to work on it. $800.00 down the toilet!