New Used Class A - Need Help

[janiemort]

I've been working on the 2000 Winnebago Adventurer 35B that I just bought. I haven't taken it out yet. When I first brought it home I was able to start the generator and now when I push the Start button...nothing...nothing..not a click...nothing.

What should I look for?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Jane

[dsbike]

Battery kill switch turned to off. I think the genny uses the house batteries, but I am not sure. I would switch on chassis & house batteries if they are not on, then try.
Also the genny should have apprx a 30sec delay before cranking. You must hold the start switch in the run position for at least 30 seconds before it will start. Is there a light in the switch? Does it blink when you hold down the switch to start? Is the genny a Onan Generator? If so they are made by Cummins/Onan go to the Cummins/ Onan website & look up trouble shooting for your model. There is a lot of good info on their website. Hope one of these suggestions help.

[Coaster1]

At the generator, try to start it there. If you hear a click you are getting power to the solenoid. If you hear nothing, there is a 5 amp fuse on the start panel, check that. If you get a click at the solenoid, tap on on the starter while holding the start button. It gets a bit more complicated after that but nothing you can't handle.

[janiemort]

After hitting the Coach Battery button I now hear a beep when I press the Generator Start button both in the Coach and at the Dashboard, but I hear nothing when I hit the Start button at the Generator (Or maybe I just can't hear it).

Thanks!

[janiemort]

Oh Yeah...what is a solenoid? I'm really green, sorry.

[SarahW]

How much gasoline do you have in the RV? Most gennys won't run if you are 1/4 tank or less.

[janiemort]

I have a little over 1/2 tank. Thanks for that info. Could my gas gauge be faulty?

[janiemort]

It is an Onan 5000.

[Dwight]

Disbike
I think you should explain your 30 second starting delay statement.

She has a gasoline chassis and the gasoline generator should start immediately but may have a 30 second delay before the transfer switch will activate the 110V electricity in the motorhome.

Sara W
For clarification, the gen will crank with a empty fuel tank but it won't continue to run.

[Dwight]

janiemort
On the right side of the start switch panel on your Onan you will find a rubber boot covering the battery cable. Us a voltage meter or a 12 volt test light to be sure you have full voltage at that terminal at the same time you push the start switch at the Onan panel.
Dwight

[janiemort]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think my problem is battery related. I just tried to start the engine and now my engine battery is dead. I'll get back to you once I resolve this problem.

Seriously, you all are great. I really appreciate every comment.

[dsbike]

Originally Posted by Dwight

Disbike
I think you should explain your 30 second starting delay statement.

She has a gasoline chassis and the gasoline generator should start immediately but may have a 30 second delay before the transfer switch will activate the 110V electricity in the motorhome.

Sara W
For clarification, the gen will crank with a empty fuel tank but it won't continue to run.

Dwight you are correct, I forgot that if it is gas & not diesel it should crank immediatley. However my first MH was gas & I do remember that you move the switch to the off position for 30 seconds to prime the genny then hit the start position to start. Thanks for catching my mistake.

If you have low voltage on your batteries that could cause this issue. To start your chassis engine can you use the transfer switch from the house batteries to start the engine? As I stated earlier I am not sure which batteries start your genny. You may have a problem with all of your batteries.

[BACKDRAFT161]

If the motorhome has been sitting awhile, the house batteries will need to be charged to full. The house batteries will start the coach battery if they are fully charged. There is a switch on the dash for that.

If the coach battery is not charged you will hear nothing when turning the key. Low or dead battery - Charge battery to full charge with a battery charger.

You may have to check the battery fluid level and top off before charging.

What I do is use a battery charger on a 24 volt system by removing the batteries from the coach and charging them separately. Then reinstalling them back into the coach.

If after charging nothing works or doesn't start it will mean that the batteries will need to be replaced.

If all is well, after charging, remember the house batteries will only charge when hooked to an external source. The coach battery will charge off the alternator when driving.

If you have any further ???? do not hesitate to let me know.

Hope this helps

[janiemort]

[QUOTE
If you have low voltage on your batteries that could cause this issue. To start your chassis engine can you use the transfer switch from the house batteries to start the engine? As I stated earlier I am not sure which batteries start your genny. You may have a problem with all of your batteries.[/QUOTE]

Okay, I'm not sure what fixed it. I left the shoreline plugged in for a few hours this morning and I replaced a bad fuse under the flip-up dash (still need to check them all). The generator starts now.

HOWEVER, now the engine won't start (still won't start I should say). I hear a click-click-click noise when I turn the key. Is this the solenoid issue by any chance?

The jacks won't lower either, I think because the battery may be low. When I hold the RAISE button, it sounds like the little engine that could, but then it dies before it gets to the top of the mountain. Pressing the Boost button doesn't seem to help with the leveling system. It also doesn't help start the engine--still get the click-click-click.

Thanks again for all of your responses. This forum is so great!