Generator cutting off when I hit a bump

[Adam1219]

Onan/Cummings RV 5500 Quiet Generator

Hit a bump and the generator shuts off.

Any and all ideas appreciated.

Thanks.

[dennis45]

My guess is you have a poor connection somewhere in the low voltage control system. There will likely be an umbilical cord tape runs from the generator to the remote start/stop switch in the coach. There will be a connector plug on this cord and it may have a poor connection or it is kinked or stretched. Have a look at the routing of the cord and pull the connector apart, spray it with some contact cleaner and reassemble.
Most of my generator issues have originated with the umbilical cord.

Hope this helps.

[rdd001]

Mine did the same on my trip from Texas to Yellowstone but only when I was going up or down a steep grade and once when I had to make a sudden hard stop. I just restarted and kept going.

[vsheetz]

I had a 5500. It would work great stationary but stop sometimes when moving. Found that the oil level needed to be up to the tippy top, not just the full mark. Else the low oil sensor would trip in error.

I also had a intermittent problem with cutting off when stationery. Replaced fuel pump and no more problem.

[captjsr]

I also found my oil level low which caused that problem.
It's and easy first check.

[Forkyfork]

Had that problem when the pickup tube was submerged in the gas unless the gas shifted a lot and the tube ran dry for a bit. Put more gas in the tank and it stopped.

[Adam1219]

Thanks to everyone for the responses.

1. Fuel was just topped off to the coach. Full tank. No fuel issue.
2. Fuel pump and carb were changed 6 months ago.
3. Oil level in the generator was at the full line.
4. Oil and oil filter have 2 hours of run time (just changed them both).
5. Air filter was just replaced.

Code is: 36 (catch all - means nothing)

I'm leaning toward the main A/C causing it.

I ran the generator with nothing but the TV, water pump and refrigerator on it and it did not cut off.

I read somewhere (that I cannot find again) someone had their A/C going off and on and then when the A/C came back on so quick it placed such a load the generator cut off.

Any thoughts on hitting a bump and the A/C having issues to cause my generator to shut off?

[vsheetz]

For your #3 regarding oil level, please see again my previous comment. May not be a fix for your issue, but easy to try.

[Adam1219]

I changed the oil and filter and air filter a couple of weeks ago (only 260 hours on generator)

The fuel pump was changed last August ( 1 year ago)

Just ordered two new spark plugs and fuel filter.

Will change those.

Is it normal to only get 1 year out of a fuel pump?

I'm still looking at the wiring.

Is there a solenoid somewhere that controls the fuel pump?

[Terminex]

I have found the oil level dipstick attached to the oil cap to be worthless on my QG5500.

Anytime My Genny stops, it is the error 36.

every time if I add oil, it works flawlessly for several months until it has burned a little more oil.

Mine finds oil REALLY tasty as I seem to burn enough to get the error 36 every few months.

when this happened the first time, i went through the trouble of cleaning the carb, air filter, and fuel filter. I checked all the wiring connections & tried running off fuel from a gas can, bypassing the main fuel line. Still had the problem. Then I did an oil change on it. When I over filled the oil accidentally (because the RV was on a slight angle when i did the oil change) the Genny worked perfectly for several months.

When it happened again, I checked the carb, connections again. no change until i added more oil, then it worked perfectly.

For me the easiest way to see it happening is when it shuts down while turning or going over a bump at an angle. this is lowering the oil level just enough that it is tripping the sensor that thinks the oil level is too low.

soo, again, for me the number 1 culprit for error 36 each time has been oil level.

hope it is just as simple / easy for you.

cheers

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

For your #3 regarding oil level, please see again my previous comment. May not be a fix for your issue, but easy to try.

I see where others have also spoken to oil level. Just up to the full mark may not be good enough. Hope you try this before jumping through a lot of parts and effort.

[Adam1219]

I cannot get the 'Thank you' to work so Thanks to all who have responded.

I will post my findings and what I did or doing later.

[Adam1219]

Checking today and found nothing but I had the generator running for about 30 minutes with the A/C on. All was good. I also had the coach engine running. I placed the coach into drive and literally moved 2 inches and hit the brake. The sudden brake tap caused the generator to almost shut off.

1/2 mph for 2 inches, brake tap and it almost cut off.

Now that should eliminate some ideas... which ones?

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by Adam1219

Checking today and found nothing but I had the generator running for about 30 minutes with the A/C on. All was good. I also had the coach engine running. I placed the coach into drive and literally moved 2 inches and hit the brake. The sudden brake tap caused the generator to almost shut off.

1/2 mph for 2 inches, brake tap and it almost cut off.

Now that should eliminate some ideas... which ones?

I may have missed it, but Adam, have you tried "overtopping" off the oil as suggested several times?