ACE Generator Stops running - CODE 36

[lindamayet]

Originally Posted by Thorchini

Exactly, I have found the dealer network to be very poor. All of them are playing the "We can only service you if you bough it here" card. When I have complained to Thor, they admitted they can't control their dealers. I like the RV, but given my choice on my next RV, I would not even consider Thor after dealing with them on this rig. It's too bad for them, word of mouth is killing them. Evertime someone comes up and says "nice looking rig", they get an earfull about Thor. Just amazed you can run a company this way. I guess they assume none of us talk.

Thor told me to take it where we purchased it and that has only added to the nightmare, and then of course I have to deal with two sets of incompetence. Between the two, our unit has been in the shop since November. I agree with the comment, since the unit was so not, we found other things to do. Washington State Lemon Law keeps asking me what took me so long, and trying to explain the inconsistencies due to where you travel, etc. is so frustrating.

[mherb24]

Originally Posted by lindamayet

Thor told me to take it where we purchased it and that has only added to the nightmare, and then of course I have to deal with two sets of incompetence. Between the two, our unit has been in the shop since November. I agree with the comment, since the unit was so not, we found other things to do. Washington State Lemon Law keeps asking me what took me so long, and trying to explain the inconsistencies due to where you travel, etc. is so frustrating.

Most state lemon laws only cover vehicles under a certain weight, that is not true with the federal lemon law. When I contacted California about the lemon law, they informed me to contact Federal instead. I called my dealer and spoke with them about the matter, a few minutes latter Thor called me directly and offered to pick my ACE up from my location and have it repaired. My list was long, and it looks like they have fixed 95% of the problems. We have not used the Gen that much since and summer is not here yet, but I do hope that by having the generator and propane swapped will solve the problem. My biggest problem at the moment is still the loud noise the slide makes while driving down a smooth road. They said I have broken rivets and replaced them with screws. Well, I think some of their screws have broken as it got louder again after I picked up my ACE from Indiana and drove it back to California.

I'll let you guys know if I have any further issue with my generator, but I can not understand how they can not get this right after several years. Gotta be costing them a pretty penny.

[DegoRed]

Have had several message me asking what pump I used. Its located on post #636 on page 46 of this discussion, however, here is the link again Amazon.com: Carter P60504 Electric Fuel Pump: Automotive

[sscarp]

I am trying to get a head count on those interested in class action suit?

If you have or even have not contacted me prior, please send me email if you are (still) interested.

sscarp@ameritech.net


Thanks.

[ssgwsmith]

wondering if I am missing something.. is this specific to the 29? I have a 30.1. How long does the gen need to run before there is a problem? coming up on my year and want to make sure if I am going to have a problem I will need addressed.

[lindamayet]

Originally Posted by sscarp

I am trying to get a head count on those interested in class action suit?

If you have or even have not contacted me prior, please send me email if you are (still) interested.

sscarp@ameritech.net


Thanks.

Completely interested. The run around and crappy fix makes my blood boil

[Jbmsr]

Originally Posted by sanfordturbo

Generator runs for 20 - 30 minutes just fine, then automatically shuts itself down. It will start up again, but immediately shuts down after 10 seconds or so. The RED blinking light on the unit indicates error code 36.

Manual indicates:
CODE NO. 36 (Engine stopped without command by controller)
Corrective Action:
1. Gasoline Models - Check and fill the fuel tank, as necessary. (Note: The genset fuel pickup tube is probably higher up in the fuel tank than the vehicle engine pickup.)
2. LPG Models - Check and fill the LPG container, as necessary. On cold days the LPG container may have to be kept at least half full to provide the rate of vaporization necessary to keep up with the genset fuel demand.
3. Secure the spark plug lead on the spark plug (Page 3-6).
4. Replace the spark plug (Page 3-6).
5. Service the air cleaner (Page 3-5).
6. Check for mechanical damage.

I've only got 40 hours on the thing. Finally found an "authorized" warranty shop around town that will take a look at it for me. There are plenty of places around here that will fix it, but only a few that are authorized to perform warranty work.

I'll post back the results.

Got code 36. Genset would stop running at random. Replaced fuel pump. Problem solved.

Jesse

[Don and Dale]

Having just completed our purchase of our 29.2, I don't want to go on our maiden trip only to have this problem. I am scheduled to take it to CW for some other things later this month and I was wondering if Thor covers this update/upgrade of the fuel pump? I have no problem contacting them about it, but I was wondering how everyone else that did the change, "paid" for it? I'd like to find out so that I can arrange for this install while I have it at CW.

[Arizona Lizards]

Originally Posted by Don and Dale

Having just completed our purchase of our 29.2, I don't want to go on our maiden trip only to have this problem. I am scheduled to take it to CW for some other things later this month and I was wondering if Thor covers this update/upgrade of the fuel pump? I have no problem contacting them about it, but I was wondering how everyone else that did the change, "paid" for it? I'd like to find out so that I can arrange for this install while I have it at CW.

Putting the second fuel pump in was recommended by our service manager at Lazydays. I think they contacted Thor and had it authorized, but can't be positive.

[Don and Dale]

Thank You Lisa. I will contact Thor on Monday to discuss it with them. Being 102 degrees today, I took it for a ride to "test the genset"...**surprise** - SHUTDOWN!
I'd like it all to be done while CW has the coach.

[lindamayet]

Originally Posted by Don and Dale

Thank You Lisa. I will contact Thor on Monday to discuss it with them. Being 102 degrees today, I took it for a ride to "test the genset"...**surprise** - SHUTDOWN!
I'd like it all to be done while CW has the coach.

Hi Don and Dale,
My husband and I spent several hours with Phil Houser, a service manager that flew in from Thor. This is our second time spent with him as we have struggled with all of our ACE issues over the past, now, 6 months. We have been without our unit since Nov.4, and have not been able to use it since August due to multiple issues, the biggest being the generator. Phil continues to tell us that we need to be clear that running the generator while we sleep is dangerous and clearly a safety issue. He also says it is written in the generator warnings. So much for boondocking. This is part of the explanation why it is fine to have the generator under our bed, where they relocated it, since it shouldn't be run while we sleep. ugh! Now, as we are trying to come to some agreement, he says Thor's lawyers feel Thor really has fixed the problem....reading these posts, it is obvious the unit is being sold with known failures, so not sure why the lawyers feel so confident....... Now, I specifically asked about the push pump and Phil's answer was that every one Thor has put in has failed, and the most recent ones we won't know until the temps start to rise. He also said that the genset that is used in the ACE a potential to continue to fail with high heat due to several issues (he fears) and a pump will not fix that. We are trying to make a settlement,and this conversation was most unsettling. So we walk around the unit, checking everything (we had a long list of issues still most problematic is jack failure from heat differentials within a day), and looking at the generator my husband picks up the air filter that is laying out of it's place, and the bracket that should be holding is broken (mind you, Phil's first comment is he has no idea how it would've even broken due to the fact the bracket is within the Gen unit and made of steel) I was embarrassed for Phil, as the look on his face was clear that he was appalled. Our issue also rests on the complete incompetence of Sunset Chevrolet, but Phil had assured us he had gone over every square inch, and it was finally ready to go home after 6 months. So, we went into the unit to discuss the new problem, and the realization that our unit would not be going home for a few more weeks now, and my husband was sitting on the couch, and asked when we were going to address the leak....OMG, now we have a leak halfway into the aisle, there were two circular stains from longevity, and a puddle that was maybe 1-2 cups of water. The first place we looked was straight up to the ceiling, no sign of water damage. Now, the slider was pulled out, and after much "checking", the thought is maybe it is coming from the slide. Since the slide hasn't been out for 9 months, the issue is amplified.....so, hope some of this is helpful to my fellow ACE'rs, as
We continue, maybe as a group to force some of these issues. If I make a settlement, I can't go on any now to behind issues. My fear is, I will have new things going forward, and know this has the potential to ruin my summer travel plans.

[Don and Dale]

Linda....
WOW. What a mess you have. Based on what you said about Phil not being confident in a fix, really has me concerned. And my DW INSISTS that the genset is NOT to be moved to the rear cargo hold under the bedroom. Although I am still calling Thor tomorrow (Monday), I fear I am not going to get anywhere on this issue.
When you say "*Phil* says Thor's lawyers feel Thor really has fixed the problem...." I am confused by that comment. First, what do lawyers know? What do they feel is fixed and on what coaches? Old/New? And, more importantly, what IS the fix? It is apparent that Phil followed that comment up by saying "Now, I specifically asked about the push pump and Phil's answer was that every one Thor has put in has failed, and the most recent ones we won't know until the temps start to rise." They may feel the problem has been resolved but is it only on new units? What about all the older units that are still experiencing the continued problem, after 2+ years? Really?
I don't know...just smells a bit fishy to me.
Another concern I have after reading your post, and others on this topic is when " it sits at the dealer/repair shops" for MONTHS. I think I'd be a bit P.O.'d if my unit was sitting for that long...waiting for some fix/resolution. Who is paying for my coach during that time?
I guess I just have to move forward on this problem and address it with Thor. (sorry for the rant)

[lindamayet]

Good evening...the lawyer conversations came about as that is where we are at now, lemon law, BBB Magnuson moss (federal warranty law)....., so, the lawyers apparently have been in on this as to the poor design, and poor quality for an "entry level" motor home, which bothers me as these units aren't cheap. Our unit is a 2012 and we have been dealing with the problems since July. It would have been sooner, but we didn't use the unit until we had it 9 months. Bought it in October...anyway, it has been a nightmare, and yes, we are making the payments, and when I discussed lack of use, I was told there wasn't really anything Thor could do about that. There is a person organizing a class action lawsuit, hope people will consider being a part of it, as, although some things are better, the new things we encountered when we went to pick it up "again" just makes me sick, not knowing what we haven't found yet. Good luck to you...

[Don and Dale]

I sent an email this morning to Thor about covering the push pump install (P & L) and received a reply a short time later. I was told that they would not offer assistance with the fuel pump and I should contact Cummins/Onan to have it checked. Any of this sound familiar? Seems to me that others on this thread were told the same thing.
Although I am not surprised by this response (based on other input on this lengthy thread), I am extremely disappointed in Thor and their response.
I replied back expressing my disappointment and asked if I were to get it done at my expense and there was a recall at a later date, could or would I be reimbursed for that expense. Waiting on a reply, but I think I already have my answer.

(I say this in earnest)... There is no better advertisement or recommendation than that of word of mouth...albeit good or bad.