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rcollins · 11-10-2014, 05:50 PM

hey all... im having trouble diagnosing a no start on my generator. the RV is a 94 gulfstream, 36 ft.
Im a mechanic by trade, and at the moment have a full head of hair...but this is driving me crazy.
when i press the start button for my generator the solonoid just clicks quickly ( the magnet is not fully engaged ) i checked the voltage to the solonoid and it read 15.4 v..( i find that odd cuz its a 12v system). if i jump the two large posts on the solonoid the starter barely turns...HOWEVER...if i bench test the starter with my charger it works fine?????. i followed the power wire to another solonoid in a box under the hood, housing 3 other solonoids. the last of which (hooked in series) sends power to the generator solonoid. (unfortunatly these three are not labled, so i dont know what the do)...
if any of you understand what i wrote...lol... and have any ideas....PLEASE HELP
rich c

TQ60 · 11-10-2014, 06:24 PM

Think ford...

2 big and one or 2 small wires.

Shorting 2 big together with jumper wires should crank it.

If not issue at battery control center.

Try holding boost button and see what happens.

Look for name and model of box containing the power control relays so folks here can help you.

rcollins · 11-10-2014, 07:01 PM

thanks for the reply! this whole RV thing is new to me... and i hafa say I LOVE IT...
I did try jumping the solonoid... no luck, unfortunatluy im on the road for work for a week, and this problem is going to HAUNT me untill I get home....lolol
QUESTION, where is this said "boost button"?... and yes, I wsill try to get more specifics with picts when i get home....

THANKS AGAIN

TQ60 · 11-10-2014, 07:07 PM

Boost usually near ign key and battery control by exit door thus needing helper to reach.

hometool · 11-10-2014, 07:24 PM

that 15.4 volts you had would make me wonder were you connected to shore power? does outher 12 stuff like lights inside the mh work? gen sets are usually connected to the house battery bank and main engine has its own.

05kstar · 11-10-2014, 07:35 PM

I would make sure I have a good clean ground.Or even add another ground of known quality.

rcollins · 11-11-2014, 03:02 PM

yes the RV is shored,
but not until recently have i had this problem. I even followed the cable to the front of the "bus" ( which is what i call road-a) our RV.
with the starter in my hand and tried to turn it over right from the beginning of the cable, ( with jumpers of course) and it still acts the same....hardly turns the starter over.....yet the voltage says 15.4.

i am out of town now, but when i get home, i am going to hook it up straigt to a a "known" good battery

alilly · 11-11-2014, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcollins

yes the RV is shored,
but not until recently have i had this problem. I even followed the cable to the front of the "bus" ( which is what i call road-a) our RV.
with the starter in my hand and tried to turn it over right from the beginning of the cable, ( with jumpers of course) and it still acts the same....hardly turns the starter over.....yet the voltage says 15.4.

i am out of town now, but when i get home, i am going to hook it up straigt to a a "known" good battery

Is the 15.4 measured while the starter motor is engaged?

rcollins · 11-11-2014, 06:13 PM

yes, I failed to measure it while trying to start it.....whatcha thinking?

TQ60 · 11-11-2014, 07:12 PM

If voltage at starter is remaining high while it acts like a low voltage condition then you likely have a bad ground to the genny.

Simply remeasure voltage at starter but use a shiny spot on the genny.

If it reads low then what is happening is your genny chassis is being pulled upto battery voltage by the starter.

If so then place one lead on shiny place on coach frame and the other on shiny place on genny and retest.

If you read more than 0.2 vdc connection to frame is bad.

It should have a bonding cable but may just depend on mounting bolts.

alilly · 11-12-2014, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcollins

yes, I failed to measure it while trying to start it.....whatcha thinking?

TQ60 answered (very well I might add) where I was going.

A second point and maybe of more importance is why are you reading 15.5 volts for your battery? That will shorten your battery life as well cause problems for most anything depending on something close to 12.6vdc.