ServicesGenerator Service & Repair
Generator Service & Repair for Grand Prairie Homes
A standby generator left alone for months may not start when the power fails. We maintain and repair home generators on a regular schedule, test them with your home's real load and fix any problems, so the lights stay on when the grid doesn't.
Keep the Generator You Already Paid For Ready to Run
Most generator trouble isn't dramatic. A battery that went weak in the summer heat. Old oil. A transfer switch that hasn't moved in a year. None of it shows up until an outage, and then the unit cranks and quits or never takes the load.
We look after standby generators and the wiring around them: the engine basics, the battery, the controller and the transfer switch that hands your home over from utility power. We like to do this work in spring before thunderstorm season, and again in fall before ice and freeze risk. That timing means you find problems on a calm day, not in the dark.
If your generator is past saving or too small for how you live now, we'll say so plainly. Our Generator Installation page covers replacements, and Home Battery Backup Systems covers a quieter option.
What a Service Visit Covers
Engine upkeep
Fresh oil goes in along with a new oil filter. We pull the air filter and replace it if it's dirty, and worn plugs come out. Weekly exercise runs and plain time wear these parts down, even in a year with no outages.
Starting battery check
A weak battery keeps more standby units from firing up than anything else. We put it on a load tester, scrub corrosion off the posts and put in a new one if it won't hold a charge.
Transfer switch check
We confirm the switch senses a utility outage, moves your home to generator power and moves it back. We also tighten and inspect its connections for heat marks.
Load test under real demand
We run the generator with your home's circuits on it, not just idling in the yard. That shows whether it holds voltage and frequency when the air conditioner or well pump kicks on.
Controller, codes and settings
We read stored fault codes, check the exercise schedule and confirm the clock and settings are right. A unit set to exercise at 3 a.m. with an error light nobody saw is common.
Written notes on what we found
You get a short list of what we did, what's wearing and what can wait. Photos come with anything we recommend fixing.
Signs Your Generator Needs Service or Repair
- Alerts on the control panel
- A colored alert on the controller means the unit has recorded a fault. Some faults lock it out, so it won't start until someone finds the cause and clears it.
- It skipped its weekly exercise
- If you no longer hear it run for a few minutes each week, something stopped it. Often it's the battery or a setting.
- Slow cranking or rough running
- Hard starts, surging or black smoke point to fuel, ignition or battery trouble. These get worse, not better.
- Lights flicker on generator power
- Dimming or flickering during an outage can mean the unit is overloaded or a voltage regulator is failing. That can hurt electronics and motors.
- The power went out and nothing happened
- If the generator ran but your home stayed dark, the transfer switch or its wiring likely didn't do its job.
How a Visit Goes
- 1
You call and tell us about the unit
We ask for the brand, size and fuel type if you know them, plus any lights or noises. That helps us bring the right filters and plugs.
- 2
We inspect before touching anything
We look over the enclosure, wiring and transfer switch, read the fault history and test the battery. Then we tell you what we see.
- 3
Maintenance and repairs you approve
Routine service gets done on the spot. For bigger repairs, we explain the fix and the cost first, and order parts if they aren't on the truck.
- 4
Load test and walkthrough
We simulate an outage, watch the switchover and run the unit under load. Before we leave, we show you what changed and clean up the work area.
What Changes the Cost
Routine service and repairs are priced separately, and we tell you which one applies before any work begins. What you pay comes down mainly to your unit and which parts are worn or broken. You'll know the cost before we go past the inspection.
- Unit size and engine
- Air-cooled home generators need fewer parts and less time than bigger liquid-cooled units, which have belts, coolant and more oil.
- Worn parts
- New plugs or a battery add a little. A starter, voltage regulator or control board costs more and might have to be ordered.
- How old the unit is
- Parts for older generators can be harder to get, and that can change whether a repair is still worth it.
- State of the transfer switch
- Loose or heat-damaged connections in the switch mean more labor. Corrosion or a dead switch means more parts.
Common Generator Service Questions
- How often does a standby generator need service?
- Most home units need it at least yearly, and more often after heavy use in outages. Spring is our preference, ahead of storm season, so the oil and battery are fresh going into summer. Your owner's manual may also give service intervals by run hours.
- Do you service generators installed by someone else?
- Yes. Our testing and maintenance are the same no matter who installed it. If we find install issues, such as wire that's too small or no disconnect, we point them out and explain what the fix involves.
- The generator ran in an outage, but my house had no power. What happened?
- Nearly every time, it's the transfer switch, the switch's control wiring or a breaker tripped on the generator. We test each one in turn until we find the fault. Usually it's a repair, not a reason to buy a new unit.
- Should I repair my older generator?
- Often yes, when the engine is healthy and parts can be found. If repairs keep piling up or the unit can't handle your home's load anymore, we'll give you a straight repair-or-replace opinion. The choice is yours.
- How long will the service visit take?
- Regular maintenance with a load test usually runs a few hours. If a repair needs parts ordered, we'll come back a second time, and we'll tell you that at the start.
Get Your Generator Checked Before the Next Storm
Book a visit for maintenance, testing or a repair. We'll tell you what we find and what it costs before we fix anything.