What we hear on the phone
Most repair calls start one of four ways:
- It didn't start in the outage. The lights went out and stayed out.
- There's a light on the controller. A red or yellow light, or a message you haven't seen before.
- It started, then shut down. It ran for a few minutes, or ran fine until the furnace or air conditioner kicked on.
- It won't go back to utility power. LES power is back but the house is still on the generator, or the other way round.
Each one points somewhere different, which is why the first question we ask is what the controller says.
Write down any light or message on the controller, check that the unit is set to automatic and not off, and check the generator's own breaker. Don't open the engine compartment while it's set to automatic, because it can start without warning.
How we find the problem
We start with the simple things that cause a lot of no-starts: the starter battery, a tripped breaker, the fuel valve and the controller's settings and fault history. Then we work through the engine: spark plugs, air filter, oil level, the starter and the fuel supply from your gas meter or propane tank. If the generator runs but the house doesn't get power, we test the automatic transfer switch next to your panel.
A weak starter battery is a common reason a standby unit won't crankYou get the diagnosis and the price before any repair starts. Common parts come on the van; anything else gets ordered and we tell you how long it should take.
What repairs cost
Transfer switch repair
$50to$150
Repair; replacement part $200 to $400 plus labor
Angi · checked Nov 2026 · national
Carburetor
$60to$500
Minor fix up to full replacement
Angi · checked Nov 2026 · national
Engine repair
$50to$2,000
Minor fix up to major repair
Angi · checked Nov 2026 · national
These part ranges come from Angi's generator cost guide (updated September 2026). It also lists stator and rotor work at $250 to $1,500 and a voltage regulator at about $80 for the part, plus labor. They're national figures for all generator types, not a Lincoln quote.
Stop it happening again
A lot of repairs we see trace back to a skipped maintenance visit: an old battery, dirty oil, a clogged air filter. Once your unit is fixed, a yearly maintenance visit is the cheapest way to keep it ready for the next July thunderstorm or January ice storm.
