Read the manual thoroughly and understand all of the instructions, cautions, and warnings before using this equipment. If any section of the manual is not understood, contact your nearest authorized dealer, or contact Generac Customer Service at 1-888-436-3722 (1-888-GENERAC), or www.generac.com with any questions or concerns. 

Low oil pressure: Error code 1300

 

Environment

This article applies to error code 1300, LOW OIL PRESSURE, for Generac air-cooled home standby generators.

Note: The term "error code" is used interchangeably with 'alarm code,' 'fault code,' 'fault alarm' and similar terminology. Error code applies to all such terminology. 

Overview 

• Error code: 1300
• LED Indicator: Red
• Displayed Alarm: LOW OIL PRESSURE
• Issue: The low oil pressure sensor has triggered a shutdown due to inadequate oil levels.
• Cause: The low oil pressure alarm is typically caused by low oil levels due to oil consumption, leaks, or lack of maintenance. 

What can I do? 

• Your options are limited beyond performing basic checks on components and verifying that everything appears normal. You can attempt to clear the alarm and manually restart the unit. 
• Sometimes, clearing the alarm and attempting to restart the unit is all that is needed, as the alarm may be a one-time occurrence that does not indicate a persistent issue. 

When should you contact a Generac independent Authorized Service Dealer (IASD)?

• If issues persist after performing the checks and attempting to restart, it is strongly recommended that you contact a Generac IASD for diagnosis. 
• How Can I Find a Generac Service Dealer in My Area?

 

 

General troubleshooting

1. Allow the generator to cool.

Before proceeding, ensure the generator has cooled for at least 30 minutes to avoid potential injury or inaccurate readings. 

2. Check and refill oil.

Confirm that oil dipstick is fully inserted, and that the oil fill cap, oil drain cap, and oil filter are hand-tightened. Rotate clockwise to tighten. (righty-tight, left-loose). If any of these components are not tightened securely, leaks can occur.

• How Do I Check the Oil Level in My Home Standby Generator?
• How do I remove the front panel on my home standby generator?
• What is the oil capacity of a home standby generator?

3. Check for oil leaks.

Inspect the generator for any visible oil leaks and address them as necessary.

• See the How Do I Remove the Generator Side Panel? article to remove the side panel and inspect for oil leaks. If you see evidence of a leak, clean it up first and dispose of used oil according to national, state, or local codes.
• How to check lines and connections for fuel or oil leaks

4. Clear the alarm and reset.

• How Do I Clear an Error or Alarm Code On My Home Standby Generator
• For Evolution controllers: Press OFF, ENTER twice, then AUTO.
• For Power Zone 200 controllers: Hold the OFF button for 3 seconds.
• Important: Never start the generator while under load. See below troubleshooting by scenario Outage/utility power failure for more information on returning the generator to load while in an outage. 

Additional oil-related maintenance resources 

Maintenance intervals and changing the oil

• Where Can I Find the Maintenance Schedule for My Generac Home Standby Generator?
• How Do I Change the Oil and Oil Filter in a Generac Air-Cooled Home Standby Generator?
• How do I find an oil filter for my home standby generator?

Oil FAQ

• Oil FAQ
• What is the oil capacity of a home standby generator?

 

Generator Oil Filter and Drain Location
Oil Filter and Drain Location (10 kW Next Generation Air-Cooled Standby)

Oil Filter and Drain Location (14-18 kW Next Generation Air-Cooled Standby)

Oil Filter and Drain Location (22-28 kW Next Generation Air-Cooled Standby)

Oil Filter and Drain Location (10 kW Guardian):

Oil Filter and Drain Location (13–18 kW Guardian):

Oil Filter and Drain Location (20–26 kW Guardian):

Troubleshooting by scenario

Outage/utility power failure

• Never start a unit while under load. 
• How Do I Shut Down My Generator When It’s Powering My House (During an Outage)?
• When running continuously for extended periods, such as in a significant outage event, the unit is required to be shutdown every 24 hours, for 30 minutes to allow the unit to cool and the oil levels to be checked. 
• Running your generator for extended periods during a major outage

Error occurs intermittently

• Troubleshooting intermittent or difficult to replicate alarms, faults, and error codes

Next steps: When troubleshooting works or fails

Troubleshooting worked

• If troubleshooting was successful, take note of the potential factors that may have contributed to the fault alarm. 
• Considerations such as your run hours and upcoming scheduled maintenance intervals.

Troubleshooting failed

• If the issue remains unresolved after attempting the outlined checks and troubleshooting, contact a Generac IASD for diagnosis. 

Working with a Generac IASD for diagnosis and repair 

• Only a Generac IASD can submit warranty claims and perform warranty repairs.
• Leave the error code present on the unit so it can be properly diagnosed.
• Keep records of all maintenance performed.
• Note any situational factors or details related to the alarm occurrence; this information may help the technician diagnose the issue more effectively. 
• How Can I Find a Generac Service Dealer in My Area?

 

Additional resources

• Where can I find a list of error codes for my generator?
• What Error Codes Do I Need to Call a Dealer For?
• Where can I find a user manual or other documentation for my home standby generator?