How to Start the Generator in Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove

Play the game until you reach the ninth chapter, "Restore Power to the Hotel." Click on the lawnmower sitting outside of the cottage. Use the wrench on the spark plug on the lawnmower to loosen the plug, then click on the spark plug to pick it up.

Go to the Dire Grove Hotel, then take a left at the tree when you can see the garage, in order to access the generator. Click on the generator in the garage to change the view. Drag the spark plug from your inventory and place it on the upper right side of the generator, directly above two brown circles.

Click on the power switch on the upper left side of the generator to lower the end of the switch closest to your perspective. Click on the selector toggle directly below the power switch so that it is pointing upwards. Click on the large red primer button on the bottom right portion of the screen four times.

Click on the throttle lever twice; it is located directly to the left of where you placed the spark plug. Click on the ignition cord, which is directly below the throttle, three times. This will start the generator.