Community Forums

outthere · 12-10-2011, 01:54 PM

onan 4000 in a 2000 allergo workhorse, 113 hrs (yes, 113). when i stored it ran fine. Now it will turn over just fine but not fire. Reset all breakers many times, pulled air filter and shot gas into air duct, thinking i was low on fuel (1/2 tank). Inside where the start switch is located, the light that tells you it's running will not light up while trying to start. batteries are fine. WHAT AM I MISSING??? Thanks, Doug...

bluepill · 12-10-2011, 02:06 PM

1. How long was it not run (in storage)?

2. Did it bark or sputter when you shot the gas in?

3. Have you checked for spark at the plug wire?

outthere · 12-11-2011, 11:47 AM

last ran 6 weeks ago.. i have fire at the plugs. when i hold down the starter i crank on the throddle body and it runs fine, revs up like its suppose to. when i reliese my finger from the starter it goes dead like i'm shutting it down.. what gives?

Gary RVRoamer · 12-11-2011, 04:16 PM

If it runs as long as you hold the start switch down, there are a couple likely causes:
1.Inadequate 12v voltage to sustain the fuel pump
2.Low oil pressure
3.The generator is not producing 120v power

Holding down the start switch bypasses these three things. As soon as you lift your finger off the button, the normal run checks are done and it shuts dwon if not ok.

wa8yxm · 12-11-2011, 07:01 PM

That does sound like Mike and Wendy's generator dosen't it Gary.

To the O/P. as Gary said, Onan generators are smarter than humans in at least one respect.. We keep on running even when we are not generating output.. They just shut down if they are not putting out 120vac. Mike had to have new brushes put in his.

Of course, low oil also does this... And mine will if the house batteries are dead and I'm using the aux start to crank it and don't hold the button long enough I have to keep up power till the transfer switch kicks over and the converter kicks in.. THEN it will hold. (IN A LOW bat situtation that is)

monkey · 12-12-2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

That does sound like Mike and Wendy's generator dosen't it Gary.

To the O/P. as Gary said, Onan generators are smarter than humans in at least one respect.. We keep on running even when we are not generating output.. They just shut down if they are not putting out 120vac. Mike had to have new brushes put in his.

Of course, low oil also does this... And mine will if the house batteries are dead and I'm using the aux start to crank it and don't hold the button long enough I have to keep up power till the transfer switch kicks over and the converter kicks in.. THEN it will hold. (IN A LOW bat situtation that is)

By using the "AUX" start do you mean the start switch at the generator itself ? I ran into that very problem recently, it tried to crank from inside but acted just like a dead battery. When I went outside and used the start switch at the generator, it cranked ok,,, but would die when I let off the switch... I was thinking this is a model with no "prime" function, but I'm pretty sure the coach battery was dead. In the "AUX" start does it use the Chasis (sp?) battery ?

outthere · 12-12-2011, 10:19 AM

I took apart all electrical wiring behind the front cover and checked with my meter, everything checked out. checked the batteries, Showed full charge. Cranked the mh and let run for 30 min then fired the gen while motor running and BAM! it stayed running!!!!2 things, either I had a lose connection or the batteries were down just enough to prevent fuel pump to fuction properly... Thanks so much for the help,I LOVE THIS FORUM!!

wa8yxm · 12-12-2011, 10:28 AM

By AUX start I mean the same button you use to jumper the house batteries into the chassis system when the chassis battery is low.. Works both ways on my coach.

monkey · 12-12-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

By AUX start I mean the same button you use to jumper the house batteries into the chassis system when the chassis battery is low.. Works both ways on my coach.

Ok, Thanks ! There is no extra button on ours, if the chassis battery is low, it will connect the coach battery automatically to start the main engine. (A light comes on to tell you) When we get the garage built, (hopefully this month) I'll have it inside so I can explore alot with the mh as we just got it this year. Thanks again !