Onan generator

[GRUBBS]

I have a 2019 THOR Hurricane 35M. It has a ONAN QG5500 generator and when I crank it the little light on the switch panel, instead of staying on, blinks "on/off"...The generator is running, I went outside I can see and hear it's running. Why would the little light on the dash blink on and off?

[MrWzrd]

Puzzling... I've had a number of onan generators over the years but not that particular one. However, the status light on all the ones I have had has always been the same and I have never seen one blink WHILE running.

The status light will blink rapidly during pre-heat and during cranking. Once started, it would stay on. IF it shuts down it would blink a code to indicate the problem.
But you are saying it is blinking while running?
It is just a steady blinking? Or is it blinking in groups of blinks? (codes)

[Cougarkid]

Not familiar with your model, but on my Onan QD8000 diesel, the start switch (on the generator) will blink error codes.
Yours may be blinking codes thru the dash switch, also. Look over the owners manual and find the section on troubleshooting and error codes. That should help you determine what is going on.
Be sure and check oil and coolant levels first off. Check for leaks. Go deeper after that.
Mine would start up and die when the switch was released. Start it again and it would run. Flashing code said intake air obstruction. Dirty (really dirty) air filter was the culprit for mine. Did an oil change while I was at it.
Take your time, read the manual, research, google, search this forum and learn all you can about the generator.
Knowledge is Power!
You can solve this issue!
Don’t give up.

[Cougarkid]

BTW, mine sound different now. Running better and sounds “smoother” than before.

[GRUBBS]

Thanks for the help, I cranked again today, cranked right up and no "blinking". I am taking your advice...Read, Read, Read! Thanks again and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Cougarkid]

Glad it is working okay. Might have just been a bad connection in the relay.