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Roam America · 04-30-2007, 02:13 PM

Question for y'all. I have an on-board 5.5KW gasoline powered Onan Generator. It starts fine but as soon as I let go of the start switch, it dies. I thought the battery was low but I was camping this past weekend and was plugged in for three days. Batteries are fully charged and still have the same problem. Checked fuses and breakers, all are fine.

Any ideas?

Roam America · 04-30-2007, 02:13 PM

Question for y'all. I have an on-board 5.5KW gasoline powered Onan Generator. It starts fine but as soon as I let go of the start switch, it dies. I thought the battery was low but I was camping this past weekend and was plugged in for three days. Batteries are fully charged and still have the same problem. Checked fuses and breakers, all are fine.

Any ideas?

ronboc · 04-30-2007, 04:10 PM

IIRC, there's a 'low-oil' pressure-activated switch that is bypassed when you depress the start switch, but is then in-circuit when you release it. This is to allow the genny to fire and start when it initially has low-oil pressure, but then to protect itself after starting if the oil is low. You might have low oil, or possibly a bad switch/wiring.

HTH

full-timer · 05-01-2007, 06:36 AM

Did you read the code on the start button of what it might be.

Joe

Roam America · 05-01-2007, 10:10 AM

thanks for the input but my system does not show any codes on the start button.

hamguy · 05-02-2007, 04:54 AM

I'd bet it does. They are in the form of light flashes on the switch. Read your manual or go to the Onan web site and download it. It will 'splain everything. I had a similar situation and that did the trick.

Roam America · 05-02-2007, 08:50 AM

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Didn't notice flashing, but then I wasn't looking for it either. I'll have to go try it.

peter griffin · 05-02-2007, 07:26 PM

when was the last time you changed the fuel filters or plugs?

full-timer · 05-03-2007, 06:45 AM

John & Joyce,just noticed you have a 2005 motorhome. If you think it is a problem you can't solve,the onan generator has a 2 year warranty.

Joe

Roam America · 05-04-2007, 04:01 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by peter griffin:
when was the last time you changed the fuel filters or plugs? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Peter: You mean I gotta change the plug, filters and oil

That was on my list of things to do this year, guess I need to bump it to the top.

Thanks.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> Originally posted by full-timer:
If you think it is a problem you can't solve,the onan generator has a 2 year warranty.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Joe: Good point. My 5er has a three year warranty, so I would expect Newmar to cover it anyway. But I'll try to take care of it myself first.

Roam America · 05-05-2007, 08:19 AM

everything looks good. I get NO code on the switch. It blinks while I am starting it, but nothing after it dies. Time to make an appointment to get it looked at.