Program-generated KML file validates, but doesn't work - google-maps

Question

I had a co-worker that normally worked with Google Maps and now I am creating my first map. I am using what they developed in the past and making the changes for what I need. They created a script that sets some of the map defaults, so that is why things might look slightly different.
var map = new Map();
map.loadMap();
var kml = new google.maps.KmlLayer({ url: 'http://api.mankatomn.gov/api/engineeringprojectskml', suppressInfoWindows: true });
kml.setMap(map.map);
The map loads. My KML file doesn't load. I don't get any errors in the console. When I replace the url with a different URL http://www.mankato-mn.gov/Maps/StreetConstruction/streetconstruction.ashx?id=122 it'll work just fine. My new feed does validate. Is there a issue with my web service?
Update: After a few days, I am still having the issue. So I am pretty sure this isn't a DNS issue anymore. I created a jsFiddle to see if it is my code or something else. I started with Google's sample code and changed the URL of the KML file to both my web service and to a static version of the generated file. Both are valid KML files. Neither work. If there was a syntax error, wouldn't the API report that?

Answer 1

You can get the status of a KML layer with
kml.getStatus();
which in this case return:
"INVALID_DOCUMENT"
Now, if I request your URL from the browser, I get
<Error>
<Message>An error has occurred.</Message>
</Error>
So it seems if there ever was a valid KML there, it isn't anymore. Assuming from your question I can oly guess it was above weight limit, or you weren't associating it with a valid instance of map.
For getStatus to return something useful, you must wait for Google Maps API to try and load the KML layer you declared. For example, you can add a listener on the status_changed event.
var kmloptions={
url: 'https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2732434/engineeringprojectskml.kml',
suppressInfoWindows: true
};
var newKml = new google.maps.KmlLayer(kmloptions);
newKml.setMap(map);
google.maps.event.addListenerOnce(newKml, 'status_changed', function () {
console.log('KML status is', newKml.getStatus());
});
in this case (note that I'm using the alternative URL you used in the jsFiddle), I still get INVALID DOCUMENT.
Update: it seems the problem was the encoding of the file (UTF-16 BE is meant to be binary). I converted it to utf-8 and reindented (it's in my public dropbox now)

Answer 2

You can check if the DNS is setup by:
Going to the url in your browser. Do this with cache emptied and history ereased (private mode is best). If it ends up at your server and the right file it is not a DNS problem.
Move the file to a location you're sure it is reachable without any DNS issues. e.g. http://www.mankato-mn.gov/Maps/StreetConstruction/engineeringprojectskml
If the problem persists make sure that your KML syntax and Javascript is 100% correct. Also check out https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/examples/layer-kml if you're still having any issues.