RV Generator Troubleshooting Tips
GENERATOR TROUBLESHOOTING: Caution – Servicing a generator can create hazards – burns, cuts, fire and shock hazards. Exhaust fumes can be harmful.
Notes: Gasoline powered generators are fed from a midpoint on your main fuel tank. Most generator manufacturers recommend a minimum of one hour loaded run time per month to prevent carburetor gumming.
Generator will not crank: No 12 volt power or 12 volt fuse located on the control panel blown.The battery voltage should be above 9.5 VDC. Possible bad control board or poor wiring connections.
Generator will not start, but cranks: Poor 12 volt power from battery or convertor, bad cables or corroded battery posts, gasoline tank not full enough, carburetor clogged from disuse, spark plugs fouled, automatic choke linkage stuck, faulty oil pressure switch, dirty air filter, low oil level, damaged wiring, or corrosion on the control board.
Generator starts, then fails to run: Low oil level or low oil pressure, Low fuel supply, press the prime switch the recommend length of time, sticky choke linkage, or check the generator AC voltage output. Other voltage tests require an Operating Manual, Troubleshooting charts and learned personnel.
Contact you generator dealer or manufacturer for further information. Online websites are an excellent source of information.
Happy Camping,
Fred b.
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I have an Onan 4000 generator (on a 2006 RV) that is shutting down with a full load. I believe it sat for a long periods before I bought it. How do I get the Sea Foam or other product into the carburetor to try to clean the gum out? Thanks.
George:
I am afraid there is not anything that will clean out your Onan Carb. – the products contained in gasoline are very stubborn.
Replacing the contaminated part is the only suggestion I have. Sorry.
Happy Camping,
Fred b.
I have an Onan 4.0 BGE on a 10 yaer old Terry. Had a new carb installed for $500
last year. Learned my lesson, been using it with loads weekly. New problem, Onan cranks and runs strong but no power. Things (AC,ceiling fan, etc.) just stopped working. Tried the shoreline and everything works. Checked for wiring damage – none I can see.
A local electrician in Borrego Springs, CA says he can service it.
Just wondering, given your experience, if it sounds like something in particular.
Breaker on generator is in the off -forward position.
Thanks,
Joe
The new 400 Microquiet has a “sealed” carburetor with no parts being available (for the carb.). When the main jet plugged in my Onan 4000 I discovered an immediate, free fix. The “altitude” adjustment is infact a main jet adjustment. The adjustment span is limited by a plastic stop. Pry the stop off the (needle) shaft, and presto!-an adjustable main jet. Just run the needle out to clear the obstruction, then readjust as called for. Yeah-I know. This’s probably against FED regulations. Just do it or have Onan replace the carburetor as they are banned from working on the “sealed” carburetor.
.
It galls me Onan doesn’t put 12V DC windings in this generator except for export. Hence-no 12V DC output. It’s also disappointing this $2K plus generator is splash lubricated. NO oil filter, NO oil pump. Noisy, crude and expensive compared to many alternates available today!
Woops-make that “new 4000″……
have a onan 4obge sitting a while what do i jump out to make it put out power again thanks
Onan 4 kw “BGE” Emerald on 2000 Georgie Boy Landau. Has 1,375 hrs. on the generator. Bank repo. I replaced oil, oil filter, air filter, gas filter, spark plugs, and lubed all linkages. Have to restart several times to keep running with no load, then at times still dies after running a short time. Surges up and down when under load of any kind, usually dying. HELP! Thanks!
trouble code 47 starts & runs about 5 minutes dies flashed code 33 then code 47
SCOTT ,
DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT TROUBLE CODE 47 . THATS MY PROBLEM . NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX THIS.
I have an Onan 4.0 KY speck K that starts And runs for a short time Anywhere from 2 sec to 10 min. Then it shuts down with no fault code. When it ran long enough I turned the AC on, it ran for several min. freq. was 60-61 hertz and the voltage was good. There is fuel still in the bowl and in the line. Is it time to replace the board? I’ve checked the pin connections they look good
our problem is opposite from many ,our onan 4000 (2002) was running great change the oil and mnow the gas pours out when you start it. we ran it frequently over winter and just took it for the weekend with no problems. help i dont want to go to the expensive dealership it i can work on it my self . i can usually do a lot of things handy.
trouble code 47 is ignition fault 16 checks cant list all here but you can e-mail me if you like
First visit to your website. Friend having trouble with his onan microlite 4000. Had to replace the fuel pump, filter, then would not fire (wire had fell off the block where the plug wire comes out. Long story short had to remove the arm that pinches to the govenor rod, Marked same and put it back as close as possible but now rev’s too high, need to know how (which screw) to adjust the govenor. Also carb. solenoid stuck had to remove and clean it out, since I had the carb off also cleaned the bowl and needle and seat (could there be a problem there causing the rpm problem) rpm is such that you have to hit the stop for fear of causing a problem HELP!
I have started ac generator (Letourneau make generator usa) but voltage not developping means whenever the engine going high throttle generator prime enable high occurred.please give solution from your end.we have check vr control panal function, and prime relay function are ok,externally connected 24 V DC source through field winding of generator some times runned after the generator build up voltage.please advice what exact reason. I think loss of magnetism and field winding insulation week may be.
my onan 4000 generator stops running when I turn the rv engine off
I am getting 120v trou my12V system in the rv when the generator is running but everything works fine with shore power
Chris:
Please send more detailed info
The 12 VDC works when? The 120 VAC works when please?
Happy Camping,
Fred b.
Chris Foster:
You may have a problem with your transfer switch dropping out your generator when the rv engine is stopped.
Do you have an energy management systems?
Fred b.
ONAN GENERATOR RUNS FOR 10 MIN AND STOPS
RUNS OUT OF GAS
RV TANK IS FULL
WAIT 20 MIN AND GENERATOR WILL START AND RUN FOR 10 MIN
I have a 4000 Onan GenSet, model # 4BGEFA26100K, serial # K933096982 Emerald Plus generator – I replaced the fuel pump but generator will run 5 to 10 min. and sometimes 1/2 hour before shutting down. When the generator shuts down on it’s own I can start it right up and it will run another 5 to 10 min. and some days it will run continuiously until I shut it down. Help!
Printed in USA 981-0159D 11-04 – Cummins Onan
Please goggle and print this troubleshooting chart.
Many things can cause a intermittent shutdown – including:
Oil oil bath level or pressure.
Partially clogged fuel filter.
Bad fuel – water or other contaminants in fuel – old fuel.
Partially clogged air filer.
High elevation.
If using liquid LP gas – summer in winter or vise verse.
Loose wiring connections or corroded connections.
Load turned on before gen is at full heat up.
Sticky choke linkage.
Happy camping,
Fred b.
rv101byfred.com
I would like instructions to replace fuel filter on Onan Micro Quiet 4000 generator,4KYFA2610. I can see the filter but I can’t seem to get to it. It is on a Class C motor home. I think after 6 years I should replace it. Thank you.
Frank:
Look at the diagram SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS – fuel inlet is located in the left-lower corner.
Follow the fuel line – your filter maybe in that area.
Go to the Onan parts breakdown if you need to.
Happy camping,
Fred b.
Fred:
Recently I was running my Onan mod.4KYFA26100F under moderate load
and it started making a loud clicking or popping sound. I ran and shut it down,
turned every thing off, did a visual check, tried to restart it, nothing.
Did a little more testing and found very weak to the spark to the spark plug.
It is getting fuel. Could it be an ignition coil? How do I check it? Where can I get
a trouble shooting manual?
Fred, thanks for your suggestions. I have a problem that I haven’t seen mentioned before. We use our Onan 5500 mainly to power the roof a/c. It starts and runs fine with the a/c on. When the desired temperature is reached and the a/c cycles off the generator runs for about 10 seconds and shuts off. It will restart but will only run for 20-30 seconds without the a/c on before it shuts off again. Any ideas?
Thanks
how do i adjust a carb on an onan 4000 mircoquiet generator? there is on screw on the carb and two in the back. please help!
I have a new RV (2011 MVP Tahoe) and already have problems with my Onan Generator. It seems when I run it during the day it will shut off soon after I turn on the AC. Anywerhe from 1 to 10 minutes. If I run it at night then it seems to be ok. I think it may be related to the outside temp. Since it is under warranty, I’ve had it serviced. First they said the parts were not spec and replaced. I got it back and I still had the same problem. Now they believe it is vapor lock. Would like to know if anyone else had this similar problem and what resolved it.
when onan generator shuts off it smell of raw gas but see no leaks anyone have any ideas Thanx Rev
Hi,
We have an Onan 7500 quiet diesel, and an AC Source Manager II (in a class A diesel pusher). The genny has been running fine, until today when we turned it on. We ran the AC no problem. Looked at the source manager, and there is a troubleshoot light on.
The manual says that light means overtemp. It’s not hot out (about 80 degrees), and we weren’t running a full load. We turned off the generator, waited ten minutes, turned it on again, and the same light shows up.
Any ideas why it would be over temperature, or saying it is?
how to tell if starter relay is bad? can jumper starter to get to spin , but what makes bendex push out to turn flywheel? centrifical force? relay chatters when start button pushed, but not same volts go through to starter, should’nt same volts be at both big connectors? thanks
I have 65HHHFA LP gas Onan generator. It runs fine but does not generate electricity. Switches are in the on position. Has anyone got any ideas what the problem could be? Thanks.
I have a Onan 5500 on a 2007 5th wheel. It will start and run for about 5 minutes then stops. Flashes code 36, uncommanded stop, I beleive. Changed fuel filter and checked gas. Any help would be great. Thanks
I HAVE A ONAN MICRO GENERATOR IN MY 1999 29′ WINABAGO MINNIE AND CAN’T TAKE CARBURATOR OFF TO CLEAN AS I HAVE TO STUFF RAG IN CARB,THROAT TO KEEP RUNNING AS IT SAT FOR 3 YEARS IT’S A GAS ENGINE DO I HAVE TO REMOVE CARB?? CAN I DO THAT TRICK OF THE ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT AND PRY OFF THE STOPS OF THE NEEDLE SHAFT AND USE AS ADJUSTMENT FOR MAIN JET?? HELP PLEASE
anyone know what code 33 means
7500 onan starts right away, but only runs for 5 mins. think the code is 33, if we figure right. thanks for any help