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Yellowf4 · 01-01-2020, 06:58 PM

I have a 2006 Sundowner horse trailer with a built in Onan Microquiet 4000. It's parked for the winter. I keep it plugged in. Yesterday, I was walking by, and noticed a clunking sound coming from the generator. Upon opening the cover, I saw that the light was flashing with every clunk. I was able to get it started but it died a short time later and started the clunking again. The clunks and flashes are a couple of seconds apart. I can't get it to flash any type of codes. The model number of the generator is: 4KYFA26100k. Does anyone have any ideas as to what I should check?

Isaac-1 · 01-01-2020, 09:20 PM

It sounds to me like the pump prime function may be enable (you may be hearing the electric fuel pump), possibly due to a short on one of the start/stop switches. The priming function on these operates when you press the "stop" switch while the generator is already stopped.

Yellowf4 · 01-02-2020, 05:07 AM

Hello and thank you for the reply. No, it's not the prime function. That does still work when I press the stop button. That sounds like more of a humming sound when priming. I won't have a chance to look at it until tonight but am wondering if maybe the battery that starts the generator is going bad? I have 2 batteries. 1 runs the camper part and 1 starts the generator. I'm not sure if they both charge when plugged in...is there a way to check that?

okcnewbie · 01-02-2020, 05:30 AM

I agree it may be the fuel pump. The good news is that you didn't throw a magnet yet if the gen works when you release the start button.
For the batteries you need to take some readings when plugged in. If they are both getting 13.5 - 15 vdc than they are charging.

You can find your service/owners manuals here if you search.

http://www.twinslan.net/~n0nas/manuals/onan/

randomledder · 01-02-2020, 07:26 AM

Most likely the starter is trying to engage and when the battery voltage drops off to the control it drops out. After dropping out the voltage comes back up and repeat the cycle.

Yellowf4 · 01-02-2020, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomledder

Most likely the starter is trying to engage and when the battery voltage drops off to the control it drops out. After dropping out the voltage comes back up and repeat the cycle.

Yeah, I was wondering if maybe it was doing that because the battery was going bad and getting low. I'll check the voltage when I get home tonight and have fingers crossed that that's all it is.
I do know that the battery that starts the generator is independent from the one that runs the camper. I'm just not sure if it is on the same charging loop and don't know how to determine that, other than checking voltage when plugged in. I'd sure like it to charge when plugged in!

Yellowf4 · 01-03-2020, 04:56 PM

I wanted to update:
I put a charger on one battery overnight. When I got home today, both batteries were reading 16.3 VDC with charger connected and generator was no longer clunking. I disconnected the charger and both batteries were reading 14.3 VDC. I plugged the trailer in to 120V and both batteries read 14.2 VDC. I primed and started the generator no problem. After running for about 10 minutes, it died and threw fault code 36. (this time the fault codes actually worked)
Tomorrow I'll check the air filter and replace the spark plug. I'll have to dig around locally and find somewhere I can pick up oil and air filters for this unit. I'm hoping maybe an O'Reilly's or Napa will have them.

One more thing I noticed inside the camper. On my control panel, with all light and water switches, there's a small light in the corner that's lit up saying 12vdc next to it. Any ideas what that may be?

Thank you!