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02-14-2020, 09:39 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 5
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Generator won’t start
We have a 2011 Itasca class A 5500 Onan generator. Hit power button, makes clicking sounds and all the lights go out. There are 3 batteries to it, 2 register at 14 volts and 1 registers 12 volts.
We just bought this and this is the first time we’ve tried to start it.
Any suggestions? Thanks everyone!
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02-14-2020, 10:05 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,385
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Sounds like you have a bad connection.
Either a ground or positive cable connection might have some corrosion under it.
Check them all and clean and put a little grease on when you put them back together.
Hope that helps.
Happy Glamping.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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02-14-2020, 10:40 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 3,940
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It sounds like you might need new batteries. Are they all the same brand, size and Mfg Date?
Start the motorhome engine, let it run a couple minutes, then push the Boost Switch on the dash and try starting the generator.
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C F53V10 Handicap Equipped
1999 Jeep Cherokee, 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
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02-14-2020, 12:31 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 408
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Are you where its cold/freezing? Is your Rig Diesel or Gas?
If diesel did you put anti-gel additive into the fuel, if not maybe the fuel has gelled and will not flow.
On my Gen I have to hold the start button down until Gen starts. Sometimes it seems like ever until it starts.
Like said check all connections, make sure they are clean and tight.
__________________
2007 Itasca Meridian 36SE
Great Wife & Max the boarder collie
Branson MO the best place to live
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02-14-2020, 12:43 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Somewhere On the Road
Posts: 1,215
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May also be a fuel priming problem if not run for an extended time. You can hold the stop button down for 15 - 30 seconds and then try a restart.
__________________
Steve
2015 Itasca Ellipse QD | 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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02-14-2020, 01:48 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Payson, AZ
Posts: 1,281
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sounds like a starting voltage issue. a clinking sound was mentioned. i take this to say that the generator starter is not turning the generator over. this excludes fuel issues, at least for now.
the use the the boost switch was mentioned. i'd disconnect the 12 cables between the generator and the batteries so the generator is isolated. then use normal auto jumper cables attached to the generator 12 terminals and an external vehicle that is running. then give the generator a try. if the starter turns the generator over then the issue is in getting 12 volt starting voltage to the generator. if all is does is the same click then if it something inside the generator such as the starter or starter solenoid. others have reported on how to bypass the starter solenoid.
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02-14-2020, 02:03 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,878
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You said "the lights go out", that to me means the bad battery is the problem, it quickly drains the other 2 to the point the lights go out.
Install new batteries, insure all connections are clean and tight, especially negative connections.
In cold weather I must hold the start switch depressed for about 2 minutes before the starter engages, this is the glow plugs(high current draw) heating that induces the delay, which in turn causes your lights to go out.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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02-14-2020, 08:29 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Buxton, North Dakota
Posts: 3,940
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray,IN
You said "the lights go out", that to me means the bad battery is the problem, it quickly drains the other 2 to the point the lights go out.
Install new batteries, insure all connections are clean and tight, especially negative connections.
In cold weather I must hold the start switch depressed for about 2 minutes before the starter engages, this is the glow plugs(high current draw) heating that induces the delay, which in turn causes your lights to go out.
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The OPs generator is gas
__________________
2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G F53/ V10 605 watts of Solar
1999 Winnebago Brave 35C F53V10 Handicap Equipped
1999 Jeep Cherokee, 1991 Jeep Wrangler Renegade and 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel
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02-14-2020, 09:08 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,851
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Bad connection somewhere. I have to assume the main motor starts no problem, that would eliminate the chassis battery as bad.
14v on 2 batteries (coach batteries I gather)..assuming this is being checked with the RV plugged in and the charger on. Just says the charger is working, not necessary the batterys SOC.
__________________
2017 Fleetwood Bounder 36Y
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02-15-2020, 06:55 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 5
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Thanks everyone!
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02-15-2020, 10:34 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,878
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Hilley
The OPs generator is gas
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Thanks, that would've been handy to know first.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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03-01-2020, 10:06 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 795
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I have an Onan 7500, but I'm guessing the OP has a temperature sender in their Onan 5500?
I also "at times" noticed my generator would not start right away when cold. Then an Onan mechanic told me to replace my temperature sender, because any slight corrosion would cause "hard starting" or "no start" condition.
So I did, and now my generator starts up right away.
This may or may not be your problem, but if it is you might look into changing your generator belt too, because I'm guessing it's time. ...But maybe not. Most certainly you should look for cracks in the belt.
Good luck fixing your "no start" problem. Please let us know what you find out?
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