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JohnH12 · 06-11-2016, 06:59 PM

It started and ran fine for the whole trip. Ran fine for about 30 minutes at the latest Walmart stop. Shut down as normal but 45 minutes down the road no start at the rest area. Troubleshooting reveals fault code 47. Onan book says take to authorized dealer. Internet says control panel for about $400 plus labor.
Any other options?
Gonna be a warm night at the Defuniak Springs rest area.

hawkeye1995 · 06-11-2016, 08:06 PM

I know what I would be doing. Anything that is computer operated control panel, has the ability to be reset. So I would disconnect the ground wire coming from battery lead to Generator. Leave it disconnected for at least one minute, then reinstall battery connection. Try to restart, can't hurt anything for trying. Since it is a control panel, you never know. I personally do not know if this would work, but I would try.

JohnH12 · 06-13-2016, 03:59 AM

Here's a troubling update.
After spending a warm night at the rest area we drove the remaining leg of the trip to the house. Just for kicks I tried to start the generator in the driveway even though we only had 1/8 tank fuel.
It started and ran fine! It assumed the electric load just like normal. I shut it down after the load was assumed because I didn't want to run it out of gas.
Do the codes time out after awhile? The last failed attempt at the rest area was about 45 minutes after the initial failure to start and I had given up on the troubleshooting.

JohnH12 · 06-14-2016, 01:55 PM

I talked with the local Cummins/Onan center today. The tech said there wasn't much they could do if the problem doesn't show itself while they have it. The best they could do is clear any existing codes but that would cost at least an hour labor at $116+ per hour and their next appointment is several week out.
I started and ran it several times over the past day or so and it starts normal each time.
I guess for now I'll wait for the innevitable to happen at a most inconvenient time.

cb1000rider · 06-14-2016, 02:04 PM

This time of year with the 5500 onans doing what you described - my best bet is that it's very likely fuel starvation due to heating in the fuel pump/lines. It manifests over the road because the road is hot and it's basically sucking in air from the asphalt on the road.

Replace the fuel pump if it's older - insulate the fuel lines as much as possible, sometimes you can use a heater hose over the existing fuel lines.

This one is a hard one to catch.. And it could be something else, but lots of people have had this issue with the 5500 and hot temperatures.

pchuckie · 06-14-2016, 07:44 PM

Cb1000, the fault code you speak of would be 36. 36 is uncommanded engine stop.

When you say Cummins tech, we're you talking to a Cummins dealer or a Cummins distributor?

JohnH12 · 06-15-2016, 04:16 AM

Cb1000rider-I'm pretty sure that fuel starvation wouldn't stop it from cranking.
Pchuckie- Cummins Power South in Jacksonville FL. They're a dealer and service center for our area.

pchuckie · 06-15-2016, 04:30 AM

Good, that's the place you want to go with that problem and not a dealer.

And unfortunately, the problem does need to be active to have any chance of success of troubleshooting the problem. Otherwise they'll have to play swap parts it might be which could get pretty pricey pretty quick. And definetly keep the old parts, in fact request that when you drop it off.

BPoland · 06-15-2016, 05:11 AM

Was the problem that the generator wouldn't start, or wouldn't crank? I have been in your shoes. We have a 5500 Onan. It did the same thing. Ran for 90 minutes and then shut down. In our case it was a code '36' and the outside temp was in the mid 90s. When we got home, I changed the oil and filter, and the air filter. Recently I et the 'American Cancer Society' use the coach as a money count room during their local 'Relay For Life' event. Drove the coach to the event. Set it up for them and turned the generator on. 14 hours later, I turned it off after I got home. They are pretty picky as far as running in high heat. That night was about 60 degrees. Also make sure the oil is full. Lots of air, gas and oil and you may be good to go.

JohnH12 · 06-15-2016, 06:26 AM

It wouldn't crank. Tried to start using the switch at the generator and could hear the relay click but no crank. I guess it's possible that the starter solenoid hung up and finally released with the vibration on the drive home. Code 47 indicates an ignition failure.
It started and ran fine several times since we got home.