Generator not starting from inside.

[33fastr]

I have an '02 Jayco Firenza that developed a problem with the Onan generator not starting from the inside panel. It will start at the generator and stop at the panel or generator. It worked fine until the coach's running lights failed and efforts to fix that problem may have brought on others. The running lights were fixed by replacing the ICC switch that had gone bad. (that was hard to figure out) but the generator remains a mystery.
Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so, could you offer some advice?
It would be greatly appreciated.

[deandec]

I used a long 18 ga wire and bypassed one of the wires from the interior switch to the connection at the generator.

Then I tried to start the genset using the interior switch. If that worked, I had found a broken wire. If not I tried by passing the other wire. (My genset is on a slide so the wire had lots of opportunity to break in 15 years.)

If that does not work (On Edit: Actually try this first), touch the cheater wire to the other side of the switch terminal bypassing the switch function. You should hear the generator try to start. If it does, replace the switch.

If neither work, the problem may be at the generator wiring. If I recall, on my PowerTech, there is a fuse inside the wiring box on the positive cable on the genset.

[InPursuit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33fastr The running lights were fixed by replacing the ICC switch that had gone bad. (that was hard to figure out) but the generator remains a mystery.

Lets start with the switch itself:
Do you recall what "gone bad" means?
Have you ohmed the generator switch to see if it is still OK internally?
In the course of futzing around with unknown wires and jumpering and all that... were the switch internals fried?

If all that is good (I suspect it won't be)...

Quote:

It will start at the generator...

Then move on to the starter solenoid (relay) that the switch is supposed to be operating and the wiring between the two.

[Fastr]

Problem was solved.
Rv Doctor found the water tank had expanded (overflow valve must not have been working properly) and bent the crossmember at the rear wheel area. It eventually severed several wires that ran the rails of the crossmember, one of which was the generator problem. They ran new wires and solved the problem. Now, I have to fix the overflow valve. I know when I've overfilled the tank, I've heard a 'bang' sound and have found the bed up a good 3". :-(
Thanks for your help.
rw