My Onan Generator Starts But Won't Stay Running - FREE REPAIR AND TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2019
- #othergeneratoroptions
Free Troubleshooting Guide for Onan Generators including models Emerald, Marquis, Microlite, RV QG, Camp Power, Marquis Gold, Emerald Plus and more can be found at www.flightsystems.com/pdf/ona...
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My name is Dave and I travel with my dog Bella in a 1990 Fleetwood Bounder Class A Motorhome. This is our tour across America. So join us if you’re open to travel, fun, excitement, hiking & exploring. Wish us luck on this adventure! Maybe we’ll see you down the road sometime. Happy trails!
My channel is about full time RV Living in an older RV while keeping the wheels rolling on a budget. I do the repairs, updates and upgrades myself. I’ve become my own RV Mechanic/Medic! I seek boondocking opportunities every chance I can and power the RV with 500 watts of solar and approximately 500 amp hours of batteries. RV Resorts are just not our style!
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So thoughtful of you to share your skillful knowledge & troubleshooting links on all you do 👏
THIS IS HOW I FIXED MINE, IN THE CASE OF....
"I CAN'T START MY GENERATOR"
It's has been two years since last time it was running, so I started by checking oil level full at gen dipstick (it won't start if low oil because of sensors) then I checked gasoline more than 1\4 tank in the RV (also safety sensors), sparkplug checked for good spark, also checked the manual reset circuit braker ( to be ON) at front motorhome engine compartment for 12v current to the generator to be able to start it, also cleaned the carburetor and even installed new one but same situation, then checked wires and found some has been chewed like gum by rats at the back of starting switch generator panel so I replaced them, at this time the generator started but stay running only by keep pushing the switch on all the time, so then finally I knew it was internal electrical problem from the engine itself, so I took the generator out from my RV to work in my garage, (I did this by myself with some tools and old Mayan tricks ) lol, it's really heavy for one person.
I disassemble the unit at my garage and started by removing the cover, then the cooling fan or flywheel unit (it's 2 items in one) until finally I was at the gen rotor and brushes assembly area and this is what I found: one more wire chewed by filthy rats plus the stinky rat nest in the middle of the generator motor coil, I fixed the wire and sanded the commutator copper contacts where the brushes are sitting becouse they were real duty with old urine from the rats, and of course I got rid off the stinky nest, lol!!!
Then I assembled everything back together and... bingo it's runing like a champion!!!
For this project materials involved was about $60.00 including an aftermarket new carburetor and an harmonic balancer/steering wheel puller (available at any auto parts for $25.00) to pull the aluminum fan out and (flywheel).
Just picture this: (Any gasoline engine run smooth if gasoline and DC current aren't interrupted) so following this important principle you'll always find the problem to be fixed.
Also if you have a onan microlite 4000 like mine, don't run it for more than a minute without the cover because you'll cook the engine real fast, also keep the eye on the aluminium fan and your fingers after cranking it in case you missing one or two members...just kidding, lol!!!
After testing the gen with the help of a gasoline container, a piece of hose and 12v battery, I did put the air cooling assembly back and the rest of components including the cover, then it was ready to be installed at my RV.
Once the gen was installed back at my motorhome I started it to be tested for 120v electricity but not before flipping the AC circuit switch (on) at the gen starting control panel (sometimes hiding under or around the panel) to be able to transfer power to my RV GFCI main outlet and electric panel as well, my motorhome it's equipped with GFCI so I reset it and tested for green led light indicating power is ready at my main breakers panel, so I turned my main breaker (on) along the others ones but no power was present at my breaker main switch (faulty main braker) so I flipped it many times, sometimes you can make it work again, mine did work, lol!!!
I'm happy because everything works now including the refrigerator for cold drinks and AC for this crazy summer, lol! Later I'll buy me a new main braker, for now this is a resurrected generator story that needed to be shared.
If this can help eaven one person to save time and $$$ it'll make me more happy, thanks for reading.
Hey I don’t mind these types of videos it is always interesting to see how some people repair there rv!
I enjoy learning about mechanical problems,enjoy your videos , good luck and safe travels Dave and Bella🤗!
I enjoy all of your videos because they're honest and real about full time RV-ing, especially boondocking. And, it's cool of you to share the troubleshooting guide.
Godspeed.
i know Im pretty off topic but do anyone know a good site to watch new movies online ?
yup, I've been watching on Flixportal for months myself :D
What kind of rack do you have on the back for your motorcycle?
Dave, thank you for setting the camera down and using two hands, more TH-camrs need to follow your example. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I have an onan QD 10k, it throws a 26 code, starts and stays running for a few seconds while you hold start button.
any ideas would be helpful
Great information, we found this video and your channel because we are having issues with our Onan generator and you have helped us quite a bit. The Flight Systems troubleshooting guide is a huge resource. Thanks for your help and looking forward to watching more of your channel.
Glad it was helpful!
My Onan had the same problem so I took the wire off the low oil pressure switch and grounded it to the motor. I then tried starting the generator and it started right up and I was able to run the a/c , frig, and the other appliances. I let it run this way for an hour to give the carb a chance cleanup. I have ordered another low oil pressure switch for $20.00 and I will have a generator working again. I got this tip off the internet.
#57 Good morning, Dave. Thanks for showing us some problems with the Cummins Generator. I had a new RV Cummins 2.8 K Generator that would run but not take a load. I took it to a "Cummins Service Center". The engine had no compression. It was covered by warranty. I had it replaced with an identical, new unit. It has run perfectly! The original was a lemon! But Cummins honored the warranty and I was a happy camper.
Thanks for all of the information! I am new to RVing and I have just ran into my first generator problem. I know the generator is a good generator just something not wanting to play nice.
Thanks for this video...I have the micro quiet 4000 with minor issues, this will help me with my fiddling. Safe travels for you and Bella!
Good work Dave. My 96' Onan 6300w has around 650 hours and gone thru 3 voltage regulator. Two with previous owners, and I had a shop diagnose and replace one last year. Same exact symptoms including the intermittent running.
Hi Dave. In my old 2000 Bounder I once had a problem with the Onan starting up and then dying after a minute or so. After reading a bunch of stuff I came across a guy who had tried everything for the same problem. He was reading all the comments about what to do and skipped a tiny comment in-between all the lengthy ones. Finally he came back to the tiny comment which just said Suck out a pint of oil. Onans don't like to be full or overfull. He thought, It can't be that easy but I will try it.
It worked. I tried it and it worked for me also. I now keep my oil level below full. Runs good.
Mine also
Same thing sensitive to the oil being up to full mark
Appreciate the video and information. You're saving people time, trouble, and money. Thank you.
Excellent video and Thank You for creating this very much RV needed video 👏🏼👍👏🏼.
Thanks for the info Dave. We just took a trip and our onan 4000 microlite did the exact same thing. It worked fine until about 1 am. We had to leave and head home after tinkering with it for about an hour. I just printed out the troubleshooting guide and will probably be ordering a new voltage regulator and maybe control board. I subscribed to your channel.
Had this exact issue with my Onan 4000 Microquiet and it turned out to be the voltage regulator. Which is the most common culprit. I had a man named Chuck (Auburn, WA) come to me and throw his Flight Systems G-man 360 on it and diagnose it in less than 5 min. I had the voltage regulator out already believing it to be the issue. So impressed with the G-man that I bought one. Gen tech man told me 75-80 percent of the issues of such as this are either VR or the control board but mostly the VR. If the generator starts but does not see voltage within spec (low or high) it will shutdown.
You would be a very good teacher.
Well that was interesting thank you for sharing stay safe both of you and not forgetting the little dog, 🐕
Hey Dave..cool about the trouble shooting guide. You'll get the gen figured out..got the back up for now ;-)
I had the same problem, and it 1900 hr on it. So I replaced it with a new one, and will fix the old one this winter. It will make a good video if I can fix it. You are right about the onboard gen, soooo nice.
Really enjoy your videos hope you doing well stay safe take care😀👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I’m a medically retired law enforcement officer and police chief of 10 years as well as a Onan/Cummins generator tech that I build a replace gensets. I will tell you that you’re correct, Onan parts are way too expensive and can find multiple new parts extremely cheap that work just as long or longer than Onan’s. If anyone on here needs any technical advice or help let me know. I still work on generators on the side and have a multitude of parts for the emerald plus and 4ky gensets
Relic, my 2014 Onan 55k shuts down on code 15. Cleaned carburetor, engine runs better but makes no ac power on Fluke 77 meter. When it did run my meter read 59 to 62 HZ but no volts. No sure how that can be. Any help with this is much appreciated.
Mike
Michael Ciastko check the brushes. If you haven’t replaced the brushes or slip rings then I would start there. That’s usually a number one cause for that minus the accidental flip of the cut off switch near the side of the start stop switch.
Hi Relic,
Do you know anything about the
MicroLite 2800 series?
We just got a 2005 Pleasure Way and had the generator running then changed the oil ..... started it up again.... ran good then today it won’t start.
Ralph/Debby Eaton oil level too high, sensor, or if there’s a way to see what the code is and let me know I can dig through my archives
relicrecoveryspecialist1
Thank you
Ok I will check that out and get back to you
That was old bounded video but! I’m trying to catch up and 👍 all the ones I didn’t 👍. Thank You! Very informative since I have a generator that needs work. Keep the videos coming Dave!
Great info. Thanks Dave.
Thanks for the info Dave
My first time on your site and I really enjoyed and found it very informative. You’re very easy to understand and with no BS talking as in other sites. I have a 22ft class B and my Onan 2800 watt generator suffers with the same switch problem (dies when the switch is released).
low oil switch is the problem ground the wire and the generator will start, then replace the switch located by the oil filter.
@@loyddinneen2294 Had a generator guy tell me the fix is to remove and/or cut the wire to the sender. Fixed. He's a mobile generator tech (former Onan tech man).
That was interesting. I hope you're able to get it fixed soon. I missed seeing Bella too :)
I may buy a 1993 Bounder this week - I'm learning from these!
Time to dig into mine. Thanks for the link to the Free instructions.
Thank You Dave! Great! Helpful video!👍 keep them coming!
Hi Dave and pretty Girl Bella. Hope all goes well, with figuring out the generator. Good luck. Hugs
People dont usually cover this topic so im very interested. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
I like the travel AND fix it vids...always good stuff to know!! I have all my own darn tools for a reason 😂😅😆👍...some parts are just crazy pricey....I'm not cheap...I'm frugal 😂😅😆
Dave: I enjoyed the troubleshooting video. Thanks for your efforts. I am looking forward to watching your next video. God bless and take care from Tom and my wife Jun living in Udon Thani, Thailand formally from Indiana county Pennsylvania. I took auto mechanics when I was a teenager at Lenape Voc. Tech. Graduated in 1969. That was a long time ago. I grew up in Armstrong county.
You live in Pennsylvania now? Me too.. hey neighbor
It's wonderful how you are able to fix so many things yourself I have been trying to learn how to work on my own vehicles it was the last draw when a had a side mechanic break off a bolt in my engine trying to change out my wayer pump and instead of repairing the damage or telling me he tried to mount it with a cement anker and then i took it to a shop and was charged 700 and told to junk it because the engine was blown because it had white smoke coming out the tail pipe I drove it home and within 5 minutes the smoke stopped and it drove fine home they were using a beatup looking container to add water to my radiator they couldn't even give me antifreeze for $700
Good info Dave
Replaced my coil and oil level switch and all is well. Flushed and filled with full synthetic and runs smoother too now.
Great info.
I’m having the same problem with my Emerald 1 gonna try and download that manual. Thanks man.
excellent video always helping others and complete honesty on this channel keep it up Dave #119
I was taking a generator w me in my truck bed camping because of my Keurig coffee maker but decided after couple trips it took up too much valuable room in my truck. It was a sad sad sad thing leaving my Keurig at home, LOL. I love this Keurig Barista brand Italian Dark Roast coffee I can get at BB&B. Have to suffice w my $10 drip coffee maker, however, I can make a pretty mean dark roast coffee w that as well now. Actually, have to combine a few coffees to get the desired taste I am looking for to mimic the above mentioned. Have finally found the combination, yay, lol, lol.
How do the house batteries are wired.. what wires go where? I have a 94 bounder gas motor
I am excited, & hope you can capture this event or tell us about it! I tried to see celestial events here, but the night would be cloudy, or fog sets in. I'm really liking your bucket list so far, especially chasing trains. Hug for Bella💆!
Good video - thanks
HI DAVE MISS BELLA
DAVE YOU CAN FIX
ANYTHING 😀 NICE TO
HAVE THE TROUBLESHOOTING
MANUEL SAVES YOU ALOT
OF MONEY TO FIX IT
GENERATORS ARE NICE
TO HAVE FOR SURE LIKE
ANYTHING ELSE PAIN IN
REAR WHEN THEY DON'T
WORK L O L SAFE TRAVELS
TO YOU AND MISS BELLA
I like the t shirt from near my home!
I just put my 6.5 emerald 3 back in the motorhome after replacing the bearing at the gen side of the unit. After turning it over enough to fill the carb bowl it fired up and ran fine then just shut off, I cranked it over several time but wouldn't fire, no spark. Plugs are new, points good and so are wires and coil. This morning I thought I would give it a try and it fired up for a few seconds and died out again and that was it, had to get to work. I'm leaning towards the low oil shutdown, can I loop the 2 wires to test? Forgot to mention that the genny leads are not connected to the motorhome
I live in my 36ft Gulfstream Sunstream full time in a trailer park. To avoid having to go out and get fuel in it I installed stalled two fuel valves one for the engine one for the generator. Turning the valve one way the generator will get fuel from the coach fuel tank. Turning it the other way it gets fuel from a portable gas can. Same system for the engine. I don't have to put a 1/4 tank of fuel in the coach tank just to run the generator. It's set up so you can't run the coach tank dry using the generator and getting stranded someplace. Plus getting the coach out of the trailer park isn't really easy, all of my neighbors have to move their car's. This place was built in the 1930's the driveway is very narrow. And I'm in the last space from the main street.
I revisited your video after my gen won't start. It worked in the morning, then wouldn't start later that day. All I get is a click. Maybe a stater or selinoid. New spring project. LOL
Another great video thank you for sharing. I've been dealing with the same thing except I'm going to get it fixed I've had it. I have plenty of Sola but the generator is good for the AC. Stay safe have a great day will see you in the next one.
Thank You!
Good info. I also liked the music at the end. It is very nice unlike some noisy crap
Hello sir what part did you have to replace? Mine is doing the same thing.
Subscribed thanks for the info
Awesome, thank you!
That's me.... and a like for Bella.
My Onan had exactly the same symptons. The reason it would only stay running when the start switch was pushed was because that was supplying battery power to keep it firing. When you release the switch it removs the power from the battery and the generator is not providing any. It was the main transformer module with all the white wires. Cost was a bout $200
Do you have the Onan 4000, or 5500? I have the microquiet 4000 and it's doing exactly what you described!
@@mft1976 Did you ever get your answer?
Dave, If you have the Onan generator try replacing the start switch. It may be a latching type switch. That is latching after starting.
I like your repair videos along with the RVing.
Hope you were able to fix that without having to hold that button in like that,Dave. I remember the video where you bought that. Wishing you and Bella safe travels and looking forward to seeing where the road ahead takes you & Bella to next. Informative video my friend. Take care and sending lots of LOVE ❤️ to Bella girl!! 🙂🙂
think you starter might hurnout. try no #1 choice ( regulator )
Hey I jumped one battery and I lost power to everything what could it be a breaker?
Good info on Onan! I'd like to see how you load/unload bike. I struggle with my 350# Honda, thinking about trying a come along. Cheers!
So was it the regulator? I have the same problem and seeking a solution.
I think I know what the “event” coming up is... let’s just say Big Boy 😃, anyway, I hope that is what it is! Take care Dave and Bella!
I read something about too much crankcase oil can cause issues. Is that a possibility? Thanks for sharing...
Once we get the Onan generator running again it said it was shut down or offline 2 days ago, it now runs and I don't know what I did to get it running, how long should I let it run before I shut it down?
Hubby said it might need just a little more oil. Also, I watched another YTer and he fixed his by running Sea Foam in it.
I have a onan 4000 genset emerald plus no start from any switch. No crank batteries check good got 12 volts all the way to solenoid. Any help greatly appreciated.
I can’t believe how many likes and views you have already
Dave, just viewed this offering, thanks for the specific descriptions and sequences you mentioned. Will send to you some relevant suggestions since you now have adequate reference material for your genset. Will reply in 2 hours via your business address. My suggestions will not require the use of a DVOM; and I'm sure you can resolve this yourself. We can locate the problem via specific, sequential methods. Anticipate success, within your ability to solve. Look @ 9:15 CST, thanks Dave.
Been there before it’s nice to have a good genartor push a button and go . Yep Hoya Hoya Gramps on the couch Tom t .ps hope you get the parts soon it take money to R-V .
Thanks for the video. I was looking for a video that might solve my Onan 4000 generator problem. What does your trouble shooter guide say about a strong gas smell that just showed up? Hope you’re doing well.
I'm having the same issues with the power button, it will stay on as long as I hold the button and it doesnt supply power to the rv if I'm holding it. But I'm also leaking oil everywhere. From the air filter primarily
So I’m having an issue with mine that’s kind of weird......I cleaned out my carburetor which was not too bad in the 1st place but now that I put it back together, I go to start it and it acts like it wants to turn on but doesn’t but it’ll continue to try even when I push stop or turn off the breaker. The only way it stops is turning off the fuel pump. What’s going on?? I need help! Lol! I need heat since it’s still cold in Oregon
I feel ya man. I really wish we went back too the magic era when things built and sold in AMERICA were engineered too last!
Dave...flight systems make high quality products. And in most cases, exceeds onan original parts. And...flight system parts are cheaper than onan. In some cases...cheaper by a bunch!!!
That's exactly the problem I'm having.. I'll be working on it in the morning.. thanks bro
Just add some oil and it will run fine and always fill to the highest point on your dip stick .
My family has the opposite issue where it starts up fine, but neither switch will turn it off. Any ideas?
Thanks for the generator electrical/mechanical tutorial. Great information. Have you had any feedback on if BLM, Parks, etc. are stopping free boondocking sites due to other RVers, campers trashing and soiling the sites? Will see you on the next video.
Great video Dave. I still have a 5th wheel, and my generator is locked up in the back of my truck. So I still need to go out and do all that carp too. I don't mind it to much. Can't wait to see the old train video. Lol. Stay safe..#hellobella
There's another video on youtube that says you have to remove a little oil from the genny. When it heats up the oil expands and I forget why causes it to shutdown.
Take the box you put the c-clamp on and place it in an oven at 360 degrees for 10-15 mins. This will flow the solder into cold joint or cracked trace.
lol...I have done that with pc boards!
Went to the website could not find downloadable trouble shooting guide. Any other website you know of.??
My onan emerald Plus was running was told carburetor was bad so I replaced it now it won't even crank shows power at the post but doesn't turn over from inside or at the generator.
HI Dave thanks for talking to me ya your right its rent i hate to ask hows bella i miss her being in videos did i miss it sorry have not had internet for some time ya my onen is acting up to but like you i have a back up thanks DAVE
Bella is good and will be in the next video! :)
I have a MDJF 0nan 15 kw have 3 gasgets for my injector gas nozzle , nozzle heat shield and fuel cap . I don't know where the go on the injector
I have a Onan emerald plus 4K Watts, and I did notice that there was a repair similar as a jumper between two circuits.. but haven't had time to get at it.. but would like to just add something slightly off of the Onan. Is the solar in the challenges some people seem not to be able run microwave and coffee makers. I guess I have to do a video because my solar will run 1000 watt microwave, or my coffee maker anytime I need to.. also run by 3way norcold refrigerator most times split between propane and my solar as well as I have a 120 volts 7 cubic inch refrigerator running full-time.What's so much more I guess I just need to do the video how to do the battery, inverter, as well as all the other components. And I spent less than $2,000 3 years ago on this system and I saved at least $10,000 since I live out of my within that 3 years..but then again when I did my system I did with my common sense and knowledge of electrical and never once did I access the internet for the information.. I guess it's my obligation to pass on the knowledge.as I said less than $2,000 3 years ago and I've saved 10,000 + in Pocket plus recovered initial investment on top of it. Anyway that's all I got to say good luck with you and good luck everybody.
P.S. just to clarify I have a firman generator to operate my AC, and it is more economical on fuel than the Onan. I got 16 hours off a 5 gallon tank whereas the Onan I guess maybe slightly over half of that run time.. that is why I'm not in a hurry to fix the Onan generator.
I had one that was doing that, you hold the start in until it has oil pressure and its charging, oil sensors like to stick , Really simple to pull oil filter off and replace oil sender or tap on it with screwdriver, those senders stick if it been sitting awhile, I like to try the simple first cheep I guess
.
I got a good deal on my onan emerald plus , it had no spark. It had a monster rats nest built where the trigger for ignition was. Instead of breaking in half to fix I just relocated trigger to the flywheel or fan I guess. And found what the timing was at TDC and mounted a magnet on the wheel.
I went to the flight systems website in Penn. but could not find a link to download the Onan manual. Could you please send me a link? Thanks. Harvey.
www.flightsystems.com/pdf/onan-rv-troubleshooting-guide.pdf
Dave when my Onan did the same thing it was bad brushes and dirty rings. I didnt need to change any other parts.
I did clean my rings and the brushes were good. The Onan only has 0156 hours on it. I'm glad yours wasn't anything more!
Dave, do you have a video showing your motorcycle rack and how to load it?
I am extremely interested in the process.
Thanks, terr
We are spoiled with our generators😊those buttons are so easy to push😁 hey do you push your bike up that ramp or drive it 😳hugs 🤗💓
Just something I thought Dave. Your solar provides power to your RV, ok. The generator provides power to the RV, ok. Do you have a switch inside the RV to select what source of power you want to use? If you do not have a switch you are feeding power to your solar system and they are fighting each other. That could be the reason your generator works for a while when you put new boards in it then the solar comes in and burns the boards of the generator. You would need a special solar controller for your RV.
Nice resource. Just need to find more detailed assistance on the carburetor and alignment.
Circuit board, safety switch, gas level sensor ?
Where is the link to troubleshooting guide? Ty
Hi Dave..where are you at ? Looks like in the hills somwhere.careful for critters. Interesting info.
Thanks your problem is my problem know I know thanks