gen. won't stay on

[Marshal]

i just got this winnebago. the onan generator won't stay
on when i take my finger of the start button. i know i have enough gas.

[Midniteoyl]

Enough oil?

Whats make/model/year of the gen?

[4Knights]

Do you have full charge on 12vlt ? Is the fuse good?
I uploaded the Onan gen manual on the files tabs of the website,

[Jimmyzw22]

It sounds like you might need a fuel filter as they do gt plugged. Mine was acting the same way changed the metal filter and all is good.

[new rver]

check the code.are was 45 said need fuel but are brushes were burnt and could not read out going voltage.

[bigdale]

not to be a smart a, but if fuel is under 1/4 tank...gen will not run...

[AzCactusRV]

Mine had been sitting for a while and the carburetor had gummed up in the bowl. I could keep it running with starter fluid but would not on its own. Had to drop the GenSet down to get the carb off. Worky real good now.

[Marshal]

it's got gas; just under 1/2 tank. i've got the origanal manual with the coach;
oil's ok, air filter's ok, fuel filter i haven't pulled; it does run, as long as i hold the start button down. as soon as i let go it stops...........

[Midniteoyl]

Is this the button in the couch, on the unit, or both? It could be something as simple as a grounded 'stop' wire (it uses a ground to start/stop) or a bad control board.

[Marshal]

thanks jim, it seems to be both switches;
this is a '91 onan 4000 emerald plus, it came from back east, cold winters,
but was run off and on for months, 2 or 3, last year during the trip out hear...

[bjsheldon]

I had a similar problem and finally traced it to a faulty fuel pump. Onan had a problem with one of their suppliers.There are several ways to check for this. If you'r still having problems, e-mail me and I'll try to help out.

[Marshal]

thanks jim; it seems to be both, inside and out...........the manual said to
hold the button down a few seconds after it starts then let up on it, it shut down.
so i held the button longer, it ran ok, i let up on the start button and it shuts down.
same thing in or out.
this is a '91 onan 4000 emerald plus in a winnie' chieften, seems like it should be a
"little thing".............

[kaz442]

Mine is doing the same thing, same unit as yours. Its can be on of a few things.
Low or bad oil pressure switch.
Unit is not makeing AC(needs AC to keep running) so it may be control board, voltage regulater or slip rings are dirty. I was looking at this link and I'm going to trouble shoot mine.
http://www.flightsystems.com/pdf/onanrvtshootgd608.pdf
Good luck and post back if you find out anything. I won't get to mine until the weekend.
JKaz

[John_N_Terry]

We had exactly the same problem recently...it's likely either the low oil pressure switch as mentioned several times above or the control board...as mentioned above. NOT the fuel filter, etc or it wouldn't be running at all in most likelihood.