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Old 10-21-2019, 08:45 AM   #1
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ONAN generator

I am having issues with my on board generator. It is an ONAN 4k microtite model E. I have replaced the carb, fuel pump and delivery is working, fuse and breaker is good. I can try and start and it seems to want to start, but shuts off as soon as i let go of start button. I have tried to disconnect the wire for the oil sensor, no luck. I have tried oil level filled on low side and high, no luck. It is a new to me motorhome and this is one of the main things that i cant figure out. Since it is in the motorhome it makes it slightly tougher to work on, so detailed instructions help a bunch. Any help would be amazing.
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Old 10-21-2019, 08:52 AM   #2
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Try this forum. They helped me out with my Onan. There are some real experts on there.

https://www.smokstak.com/
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Old 10-21-2019, 08:54 AM   #3
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This is one of the most common failures. Often the gen is not creating power.

Here is one of many troubleshooting guides. Also, the manual should be at the link;

http://www.twinslan.net/~n0nas/manuals/onan/
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File Type: pdf onan-rv-troubleshooing-guide[1].pdf (2.58 MB, 16 views)
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Old 10-21-2019, 08:54 AM   #4
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Spark plug?
Fuel may be at or below 1/4 full.
No A/C output
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Old 10-21-2019, 08:57 AM   #5
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Here is a little t/s chart out of my 4Ky manual.
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Old 10-21-2019, 08:58 AM   #6
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Fuel level is good. Rv is near full on gas. Spark plug is good. Ive tried to do most of the easy stuff. Also since i just got it i went through all that from the start. I have seen plenty of these trouble shooting guides but cant ever figure out exactly which terminals to test for most of them.
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:05 AM   #7
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That trouble shooting chart is where i get confused. I for some reason cant figure out what terminal block is what and where to test what.
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Old 10-21-2019, 09:10 AM   #8
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That trouble shooting chart is where i get confused. I for some reason cant figure out what terminal block is what and where to test what.
Then you need to download the service manual and read. Sorry, but all the info is there if you research.

I agree if you get a to a really difficult problem than the guys at Smokstak are awesome.
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:28 AM   #9
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Mine did a similiar thing, turned out to be generator brushes. If no electrical output, genny will shut down immediately. Less than 100 to have brushes replaced by a professional genny guy.
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:32 AM   #10
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How do you test what the output is? Just on the plug? Will it output power while it's trying to start.
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Old 10-21-2019, 04:23 PM   #11
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My 4K Onan had the same symptom in April. An Onan shop replaced the circuit board. Again in Sept. and this time it was worn brushes. This is a relatively new generator that I bought because I didn't want to spend lots of money to repair a 1999 Onan with a shorted rotor / stator. C'mon Honda, offer a built in RV generator as an alternative to Onan.

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Mine did a similiar thing, turned out to be generator brushes. If no electrical output, genny will shut down immediately. Less than 100 to have brushes replaced by a professional genny guy.
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Old 10-21-2019, 04:54 PM   #12
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It is out of a 97 pace arrow. I don't want to spend a couple Grand on a new one, and don't want to spend a grand on repair to find out I need a new one. I'm cheap, so rather at least try and figure out if it's worth it to fix.
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:40 PM   #13
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I would suggest that it was not started regularly and the fuel in the carb has gummed up.
Today's fuels will go unstable in 30 days and will gum up your carb.
Try adding 1 -2 bottles of injector cleaner into the gas tank and allow it to get into the carb and clean the injectors.
You may also need to spray "Fire Starter" directly into the. carb just to get it started.
After you get it running, add fuel stabilizer to the tank if the genny is not going to be used under a load for any period of time.
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:50 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joestein View Post
I am having issues with my on board generator. It is an ONAN 4k microtite model E. I have replaced the carb, fuel pump and delivery is working, fuse and breaker is good. I can try and start and it seems to want to start, but shuts off as soon as i let go of start button. I have tried to disconnect the wire for the oil sensor, no luck. I have tried oil level filled on low side and high, no luck. It is a new to me motorhome and this is one of the main things that i cant figure out. Since it is in the motorhome it makes it slightly tougher to work on, so detailed instructions help a bunch. Any help would be amazing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim.B1 View Post
I would suggest that it was not started regularly and the fuel in the carb has gummed up.
Today's fuels will go unstable in 30 days and will gum up your carb.
Try adding 1 -2 bottles of injector cleaner into the gas tank and allow it to get into the carb and clean the injectors.
You may also need to spray "Fire Starter" directly into the. carb just to get it started.
After you get it running, add fuel stabilizer to the tank if the genny is not going to be used under a load for any period of time.
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