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13sunstar · 09-14-2020, 07:50 AM

We recently purchased a 2004 Dutch Star. We drove it all the way from Iowa to Georgia and ran the generator most of the way, plus overnight. Since then, we've run it several times in the driveway while working on the coach and it has never had an issue.

Yesterday, I started it up and it ran for about a minute before shutting down. It then would not restart (wouldn't even crank). I shut off the batteries for a few hours, came back and it did the same thing. I've looked at the start switch and don't see any fault codes coming through. The coolant looks good with a recent flush, oil is good.

Any ideas what could be causing this or where I should start?

lrgomez1976 · 09-14-2020, 08:14 AM

Did you check your oil level? The generator does have a oil cutoff system to prevent issues. I too have a Onan, but mine is a QD6000 and one time we happened to be sitting in a parking lot have a few snacks prior to continuing our travels and out the window we happened to see smoke coming from the exhaust. I shut down the generator and went to check the oil and was surprised to see just a trace of oil on the dipstick. The generator had just enough to keep the oil pressure sensors happy. I topped off the oil level and was Cadillacn' back on the road. Ever since, I only use the Onan oil and have not had issues since.

EZRider800 · 09-14-2020, 10:24 AM

Mine will not run if the fuel tank gets below 1/4 of a tank. This keeps you from getting stranded if your generator is running and you don't realize you're getting low on fuel. If you are a little low on fuel and are parked on an incline the pick up tube for the generator may be uncovered so it won't pick up any fuel to run.

13sunstar · 09-14-2020, 10:59 AM

I've checked the oil and coolant and that looks good, and I've got a 1/2 tank of fuel. Two things throw me for a loop at the moment. First, I don't understand why I'm not getting any kind of error code. But mainly, I don't see why after it shuts down, I can't get it to crank again until I shut the batteries off and turn them back on.

This is my first experience with diesel, so pardon me if I seem ignorant...I am.

I thought it could be either a fuel filter or fuel pump, but it should still turn over, right?

deandec · 09-14-2020, 11:08 AM

Currently experiencing a similar problem on a PowerTech 8.0 kw.

Heat shut down: Fan belt loose or broken?

Fuel Pump: I am changing mine but it is 25 years old.

As previously mentioned, oil sensor, coolant/heat sensor, fuel level, fuel transfer line leaking, fuel pump, fuel shut down solenoid.

No crank: low battery voltage, starter motor

SKP Kirk · 09-14-2020, 03:39 PM

What make of generator is it?

EZRider800 · 09-14-2020, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13sunstar

I thought it could be either a fuel filter or fuel pump, but it should still turn over, right?

Sorry. I missed the part where you said it wouldn't even crank. Low fuel won't cause this. Neither will a fuel filter or an air filter or a fuel pump. It will still crank (it just may not start). If yours won't even crank then it's more of an electrical issue. Possibly a starter or starter solenoid? But you should be getting "codes" from the generator. Is your rocker switch not flashing at you?

13sunstar · 09-14-2020, 06:20 PM

Thanks for the replies.

It's an Onan 7500. At the moment, I'm going to replace the fuel filter and see if that solves my issue. The odd thing is, it's not giving me any codes. It just sounds like it runs out of fuel.

I went out earlier today to mess with it a little bit and see if I could get a code from it. It started, ran for less than a minute, then died. No code. It wouldn't turn over/crank.

After 20-30 seconds, I heard a clicking similar to the preheat. It fired right up. I pulled out my phone thinking I would record the issue to post on here. 2 hours later, I shut the generator off.

I'm going to replace the fuel filter. If I continue to run into issues, I'll look at the fuel pump. If you guys have any other idea, keep 'em coming!

Thanks.

veraken · 09-15-2020, 05:07 AM

I too have a 7500 QD. Go to the Files section above and do a search on Onan. You will find the Service Manual for your generator which I previously uploaded that may help you

Jyrocharlie · 09-15-2020, 05:44 AM

Be sure and check all your battery connections.

Jim.B1 · 09-15-2020, 05:57 AM

We experienced a similar situation on a Class C after the previous owner boasted that the generator had only a few hours on it.
If the RV Generator has sat and not been run under load for a long period of time the carb will gum up from the gas sitting in it.
You can spray "Fire Start" directly into the carb to clean the fuel jets.
Try adding a bottle or 2 of injector cleaner in the gas tank and keep starting the genny until the cleaner reaches the carb.
I just replaced the fuel filter on my new Onan 5500 yesterday and it runs like a top.
Don't forget to add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank prior to any long storage periods.

triplewide · 09-15-2020, 06:16 AM

My guesses:

Had been running fine, not surging or stalling under load.Fuel delivery probably OK or adequate.

Shuts down and won't crank or show codes. Loss of electrical power. Check power source connections.

Clicking. Power connection intermittent. Check power source connections.

13sunstar · 09-26-2020, 07:01 AM

I thought I would give everyone an update to see if my experience could help others. It seems as if all is well, but I certainly learned more about the coach.

We went to Myrtle Beach for the week and I was planning on making the trip without the generator. Went to start the coach and the chasis batteries were dead. Engine wouldn't crank. I tried a few times, nothing. Then I tried the generator and it wouldn't crank either. It was then I realized a few things. First, the solar charger is not hooked up to the chasis batteries. Second, it occured to me that the batteries had the power to start the generator, but not the engine. Then, after the generator started, it required some amount of power to run all of the systems, including battery chargers. Third, I had forgotten to shut the jacks off after they were deployed. I think the little bit of power those took slowly drained the battery over the last month.

Once I put the batteries on the charger for a bit (forgot about the battery boost), Everything started up and ran great for the entire trip. Hopefully, my ignorance helps someone in the future. Thanks for the input!

Bsipe01 · 09-26-2020, 07:35 AM

If the coach is to be sitting for a while, it either must have some power to replace parasitic losses that will ultimately deplete the batteries... or those parasitic losses must be shut off. Battery disconnects that isolate the batteries should be utilized. If the coach is unattended, the fail safe approach would be to disconnect the batteries. Then if you forget to shut something off, it won't matter.

Running batteries dead is a sure fire way to kill a battery.