I have two coal thumpers to provide coal for the generator but even though the generator is off and all my coal heaters are inactive and the coal thumpers are running emergency shifts my coal level is still plumetting and there is a flashing red symbol over both coal thumpers saying that coal storage is full but my coal level is at 16/2000. So WTF is going on

or add workers or autamaton directly to the pile

Coal Thumpers don't carry resources directly to your Depots.

You can harvest coal from Coal Thumpers via two methods:

1) Have Workers/Engies/Children collect the coal directly from the pile (next to the thumper).

2) Set up Gathering Posts, typically two per Coal Thumper, nearby and assign workers to them.

Happend to me too. God thanks i figured it out not too lateI

that is understood. but even if both are full of workers it still says no room.

the coal thumper says that its no room in the pile in front of him.