Community Forums

Mikeywhy · 07-13-2012, 10:27 AM

I have a 2 yr old Cummins Onan in my 2005 Cross Country 38' . My generator will not start unless I remove and reinsert Fuse 1 from the generator. Could this be a starter problem? If so, will I need to remove the entire unit to replace?
Thanks for your help!

Hurricane Owner · 07-18-2012, 09:18 PM

Bad contact at the fuse? Does it start if you wiggle the fuse?

wa8yxm · 07-19-2012, 06:44 AM

It could be a number of things, A bad starter is *NOT* one of them.

The primary posibilities are.

1: Bad contact on fuse as noted by the other response

2: Bad control board or connection to control board, Pulling the fuse may reset that board.

But the one thing I am sure it's not is a bad starter.

Mikeywhy · 07-28-2012, 10:43 AM

The switch inside the coach will cut it off, but will not cut it on. We replaced the switch inside. It blinks code 36 and have tried all the steps from the manual for code 36. It seems to be stuck in the "on" position. When I remove the fuse from the generator and put the fuse back in,it will start. I also unhooked the batteries. Thanks for your help!

YC1 · 07-28-2012, 11:44 AM

Disconnect the inside switch and start/stop it several times from outside. I sounds like something is amiss with the wires or new switch. Or the old one was reinstalled accidently. Never happens to me of course. As suggested removing the fuse is probably allowing something to reset. What model generator do you have? Specific model that is. Not just Onan for example.

Mikeywhy · 07-29-2012, 09:18 AM

The model is Onan 8HDKAK -1046M with 143 hrs. .This was happening before we replaced the cut off switch inside the coach. It seems to be stuck in the "on" position. It will start when we remove the fuse at the generator.

Jim_HiTek · 07-29-2012, 10:34 AM

Code 36 is Engine Stopped Without Command From Controller.

This is usually a fuel issue but in your case, probably not.

You might be looking at a situation where you need to take it to a shop.

First off I'd disconnect the remote Start/Stop connector from the board to see if the symptoms change...just in case there's a new problem introduced when you replaced that switch.

Then, if it's still behaving the same way, I'd disconnect the battery cable, remove the control board and have a look at those fuse contacts. Make sure they're nice and clean and fully soldered to the board. Also would look for corrosion on the board and clean as necessary. Then I'd clean all the contacts and their mates.

Good luck.

Mikeywhy · 07-29-2012, 07:24 PM

When I disconnected the battery, the generator started automatically. I cut the generator off, and reconnected the battery. The generator started up again automatically.

YC1 · 07-29-2012, 07:57 PM

As you are facing the control panel on the generator where the fuses are the panel near your right knee and the top panel must be removed. Be aware that two bolts on the top part hold the fluid reservoir in place and make sure you don't mix up length of bolts there when reassembling. Once you have the side off locate P2 and carefully unplug it after doing a very close inspection on all wiring. Look for any signs of corrosion or bent pins or pins that might have traveled backwards. Put it back together. Locate P8 and disconnect and inspect. Leave it disconnected and start and stop the generator from the local panel. I'm ignoring the symptom of connecting and reconnecting the battery because that can do the same thing as removing a fuse. How it runs when you "disconnect" the cable is a bit of mystery but fix the obvious problem first and other ghost often go away.

The P8 plug should be disconnecting you dash switch. I haven't dug into any auto start mechanisms yet but do you know if you have "AutoStart"?. I have it and will do a bit of research on that while you take covers off.