Community Forums

E.Brendle · 06-19-2017, 08:58 AM

Hi, my wife and I recently purchased a 1985 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 33' Class A coach.it has only 27k on it and seems in decent shape, to us. Our biggest problem is that we can't seem to get the generator going. The switches on the dash and at the generator are dead. It will turn over if I jump it with another battery. There seems to be something missing in the center of the control panel on the dash. Could anyone please help us?

Unplanned Tourist · 06-19-2017, 09:08 AM

Maybe some pictures would help. Any idea how long ago since it was since it was used?

E.Brendle · 06-19-2017, 11:15 AM

I have no idea. Our last (first) RV was a 1986 chevy class c. It had a large heavy amp switch under the rear bed. This switch had to be in a specific position in order for the generator to start and operate. Our present one doesn't seem to have one of these. Thank you, for helping. We really don't know much about all this.

Poohbear7278 · 06-20-2017, 07:41 AM

If it's a onan there should be a start switch on the front of the unit? To get it started then you can trace out your wiring to the remote start to see where the problems are.

spritz · 06-20-2017, 07:44 AM

morning and welcome to irv2.com,
I have a 82 PA 30 footer. With a 6.5 GenSet

1. There might be a few things you can check first batteries are they any good?
2. on mine if the rear tank is below 1/4 full it won't start, kind of a safety deal so you don't run the MH out of gas,
3. How's the oil level ? if its too low it won't start.
4. air Filter clean?
Does it even turn over?

Tim

F76Marion · 06-21-2017, 10:11 AM

It would help us to better help you if you posted the specifics of the generator. There is a lot of information on line and a lot else to be had if we know what to look for.

Frank

E.Brendle · 06-22-2017, 06:50 AM

The generator is an Onan 6.5, we tried starting it from inside the coach and nothing. So we went outside and tried from the starting switch on the unit, still nothing. It doesn't even turn over. Tried crossing the solenoid and again nothing. After that we used a jump pack directly to the solenoid, this caused it to turn over very slowly.the unit has very little use on it, the coach only has 27k on it. Does any of this make any sense to anyone or has anyone seen this before? What do we do and how do we get this thing to work?

DCGarcia · 06-23-2017, 11:36 AM

Do not know what the problem is, but please try some of these suggestions:
Change the oil, oil and air filter.
Make sure the choke and governor are free and movable
Check the plugs and replace if needed.

Other then the above, try these steps:
Take all loads off the generator by either disconnecting the house batteries (there is usually a disconnect switch in the battery compartment) or throwing the main circuit breaker. Or, if the unit has the setup where you have to plug the power cord into the gen, do not do that.
Most RV generators use the chassis battery to start.

Make sure you have more then half a tank of gas.
Start the engine, making sure the chassis battery is fully charged. Let the engine run for a few minutes, then try to start the gen.
It may take a number to tries to get it started, but keep trying. With the engine running you will not run down the battery.

The jump kit you used may not have had a large enough amperage capability, it takes a lot to start those gens.

For some reason, it seems that hard to start gens. start easier when the engine is running.

Hope this helps.
Dan