The four calls we get most
Repair calls in the valley tend to start one of four ways:
- It never started. The power went out, the house stayed dark and the generator stayed quiet.
- It started, then shut down. Often right when the air conditioner kicked on, or after running for a while on a hot afternoon.
- The controller is showing something. A red light, a code, or a message about low battery, overcrank or high temperature.
- It won't hand the house back. NV Energy power is restored but the house is still on the generator, or it keeps switching back and forth.
Each one points somewhere different, so the first thing we ask is what the controller says.
Write down any code or light on the controller, check that the unit is set to automatic rather than off, and check the generator's own circuit breaker. Don't open the enclosure while it's in automatic mode: it can start without warning.
What usually causes it here
The battery. A weak starter battery is behind a lot of no-starts, and heat is hard on batteries. A battery that was fine in spring can be done by August.
Overloads in summer. A generator that's slightly undersized for the house runs fine until the central air starts. The startup surge can trip the unit's breaker or shut it down. Sometimes the fix is a load manager rather than a bigger generator.
Heat and airflow. Standby units cool themselves with air drawn through the enclosure. Vents packed with dust, or a unit squeezed between a wall and a shrub, can run hot and shut down to protect the engine.
Dust in the intake. A clogged air filter starves the engine. Generac's owner's manual for one of its portable models says to clean the filter more often in dusty conditions, and the same logic applies to any engine breathing valley air.
The transfer switch. If the generator runs but the house doesn't get power, or won't go back to utility power, the problem is often in the switch or its controls. See transfer switches.
Testing the starter battery under loadHow a repair visit goes
We start with the controller's history, which often names the problem outright. Then we check the battery under load, the oil, the air filter, the plugs, the fuel supply and the breaker, and run the unit if it's safe to. You get the diagnosis and the price before we fix anything. If a part has to be ordered, we tell you how long it should take.
Before we leave, we simulate an outage so you can watch the generator start, take the load and hand it back.
Typical repair prices
Maintenance-type fixes
$171to$396
Battery, plugs, oil and filters in one visit; national average $274
Angi · updated Sep 2026 · national
Transfer switch repair
$50to$150
Replacement part $200–$400 plus labor
Angi · updated Sep 2026 · national
These ranges come from Angi's generator repair and maintenance cost guide and are national figures. We give you our own price after the diagnosis.
