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lcwarnke · 04-06-2013, 08:52 PM

Trying to troubleshoot my Onan 4000 Genset KY series and hoping for some thoughts and suggestions. The generator will run for a short time, say 4 seconds and shut off. Here is what I have done thus far and the results.
Gas tank around 1/3 full
Removed carburetor and cleaned thoroughly. I tiny bit of residue was wound.
Changed spark plug
Inspected air cleaner - still clean.

2007 with low hours as I bought the trailer new. It sat for 3 years with no real use of the generator and about a year ago I noticed the problem. Now I'm finally able to work on it.
After cleaning the carb and changing the plug it will run for a short time but you can see the throttle link age adjusting back and forth, never settling down. Putting an electric load on the generator kills it immediately.

I put an inline fuel filter in to see the fuel flow and it looks ok on fuel flow.

Is it possibly a voltage regulator or circuit board? I get the Service error 36
I'm stumped.

kayakcrazy · 04-06-2013, 09:13 PM

Try searching the net with Onan Service error 36. I just did and there's lots of info there.
Good Luck

94-Newmar · 04-07-2013, 04:14 AM

What is your serial number? There was a TRP posted by Onan a few years back for KY units relating to a problem with fuel pumps that appeared to function properly, but weren't.. at that time they were replacing them for free.

Quote:

KY and KYD
Applicable for sets built after April 2007 and before serial number
F090004481 with less than 50 hours runtime.

geno39 · 04-07-2013, 04:24 AM

Check this link.

4K Microlite 36 Error code,Mdl #4KYFA - SmokStak

lcwarnke · 04-07-2013, 09:47 PM

Serial number is: J060987506

Model 4KYFA26100K

RISCKY · 04-08-2013, 10:21 AM

I experienced this issue recently. If the batteries have a low charge as soon as an inverter kicks on it can cause such a drain it will stop the generator. Be careful when reading the battery charge indicator...it could should as full when it really just has a trickle charge of Full. Depending on variables it could take a while for the batteries to charge. On our Entegra Anthem it could take 4-8 hours to fully charge.

If you have the ability to fully charge the batteries, I'd suggest trying that. After having ours in storage for 6-8 weeks, I take it to closest campground, pay $20 and plug it in for a day. That solved our generator issue.

lcwarnke · 04-08-2013, 11:32 PM

Thanks for all the reply's. Today I spoke to Cummings Tech support to get their take. The consensus is that it is likely the carburetor, especially since it sat for a year. I went ahead and ordered a new carburetor, fuel filter and air cleaner. Total for all three was around $305.00 + shipping. I'll keep this thread updated on the outcome.

The issue on the carburetor is that you can't fully disassemble it to clean it out properly.

lcwarnke · 04-14-2013, 10:46 AM

Update: with new carburetor in hand I installed it twice. First time I didn't notice that one of the gaskets wasn't punched out big enough and the butterfly would bind on the gasket.razor blade fixed that. The generator then started right up and ran as expected.

I did buy a replacement fuel filter, but don't yet know how to take it out as it is a pain where it is located on my unit. I did put an inline clear filter just to make sure no junk would get into my new carb.

My issue though is when I put a load on it (say ac or microwave) I can see it starving for gas and dies. Ow it appears I have a fuel delivery issue and it might be the original fuel filter.

Carb was $245.00