How to Bypass the Low Oil Sensor on a Generator Easily

Let’s be honest, generators are amazing. They work and are incredibly frustrating when they do not. One of the main reasons a generator will not start. It is due to a small but crucial feature. The low oil sensor.

This tiny sensor is designed to protect your engine. Still, when it malfunctions or becomes overly sensitive, it can stop your generator from starting.   The oil level in your car looks fine.

This helpful article for beginners will show you how to get around the low oil sensor on a generator. We’ll talk about prominent brands like Honda, Champion, Generac, and Powermate. We will talk about their benefits and downsides, provide you with safety recommendations, and answer frequent questions. All in straightforward, uncomplicated English.

Let’s get your generator going!

Why Do Generators Have a Low Oil Sensor?

Most modern generators—whether inverter or conventional—include important safety features like

Before you start, grab the following:

A flashlight

A flathead or Phillips screwdriver (depends on your model)

Clean gloves

Your generator’s user manual
A voltmeter to test the sensor is not required.

Note: You should only go around the sensor for testing or in an emergency. Long-term use of low oil can hurt your engine in a way that can’t be fixed.

How to Get Around Most Generators’ Low Oil Sensor, Step by Step

Most generators are set up the same way, but some are different. This is how it usually works:

Step One: Turn off the car.

Make sure the generator is turned off. When it turns off, it is not hot to the touch. Do not work on an engine that is hot or moving.

Step 2: Locate the dipstick or oil fill cap. 

There will usually be two lines emerging from the engine case. These lines are generally yellow, red, or black.

Step 3: Remove the wires from the sensor to the board.

Find the plug that has both a male and a female end and slowly pull it out.  The monitor can’t send a word to the computer board now.

Step 4: Turn on the generator

You could use the hand kickback or power switch to turn on the generator the normal way.  It’s great if it starts!  The broken thing was probably the screen.

 Step 5: Connect the wires again (optional).

•  After you try, leave it going for a while.  Then turn it off, plug the wires back in, and try to start it up again.
•  Getting around the Low Oil Sensor on Some Brands of Generators Champion Generators
•  The sensor is close to the oil fill cap and it is also the dipstick.

 Most wires are yellow or red.

Bypass Method: 

Take the yellow wires off, turn on the generator, let it run for a short time, and then put them back on.  If it does it again, the problem is clear.

Honda Generators: 

The sensor is located between the engine switch and the starting coil.

 Wire Color: Usually black

Bypass Method: Take the black wires out of the plug, turn on the generator, let it run, and then put them back in.  If it only works when it’s not connected, you should get a new sensor.

 Powermate PM2000i and Generac

 Many used PM2000i units won’t start, even when the fuel, oil, and spark are all good. This is probably because the oil monitor is broken.

 The sensor is in the side panel. 

 Bypass Method: Take the black or yellow wires out of the plug and try to start it again.

 Pro tip:

 If skipping doesn’t work, look in the carburetor for metal bits or dirt. This is a problem that often happens with rebuilt engines.

What happens if you don’t connect the sensor?

 Your generator will run OK, but it won’t cut off if the oil level gets too low. This might hurt the engine terribly.  You should always check the oil levels by hand when you skip.

 Good Things About Skipping the Sensor

• Let’s you use your machine when things go wrong
• Helps quickly figure out sensor problems
• Helps pass the time while you wait for new parts
• Bad Things About Skipping the Sensor
• No one-touch shut-off for low oil
• The engine can get too hot or run out of gas.
• Could do away with the protection needs to be checked for oil often by hand

How to Work Safely with Generators

•  Before making fixes, always turn the machine off and let it cool down.
•  Don’t pull or yank on wires; they are weak.
•  Do not smoke or spark near the engine.
•  Protect your hands from oil and sharp edges by putting on gloves.
•  If you have to, only go around the monitor.

 In conclusion 

If the power goes out, having a broken low oil monitor could be very annoying.  Going around the sensor is a quick way to get the generator going again, but you will need to be careful and wait.  No matter what kind of generator you have (Champion, Honda, Generac, or Powermate), the steps are sometimes easy and safe if you do them right.

Don’t forget to get rid of the broken sensor right away.Take care of your machine. Record how many hours the engine has been running and how often the oil needs to be changed.

  Keep an eye out for leaks, strange sounds, or smells.