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nuget102 · 07-25-2016, 07:52 PM

Bought a 1987 Lakeview Suncrest just a week ago. Was asking on another forum but I have a few problems.

The biggest problem is the on-board generator. It hasn't ran for close to five years, at least, and it seems the starter motor is weak as is the fuel pump. I think the fuel line may be collapsed and the sprag clutch on the starter may be going out. Or perhaps the solenoid is weak? I've tried starting it with the rv on, but I'm charging the battery to ensure that the battery isn't the cause.
I have a Koehler 4.5ckm21-RV generator.

As far as electrical I have a battery drain on the engine battery. I think it's a short, since it seems to disappear and appear randomly. But the battery drains over night regardless.

And the control panel that shows the tank levels doesn't work unless I connect the engine (chassis?) Battery. Is this how it's supposed to be wired?

And finally the headlights don't work. I was told it was probably the dimmer switch on the floorboard and I should try cleaning the contacts, which I'm going to do tonight. I have parking lights and my reverse, turn, and brake lights work. Just not headlights.

Any help on any of these issues is appreciated.

nuget102 · 07-26-2016, 12:31 AM

Got the fuel pump to pull fuel, finally. It may of just been a weak battery or something. Not really sure. I'm going to try and fire it up tomorrow and see how she does. Hopefully the starter has enough life in it to get the generator running, although I know it needs to be rebuilt. That's what happens with stuff from the 80s.

Wish me luck everyone.

jelag · 08-03-2016, 12:10 PM

I have a couple of thoughts on the gen set... when an engine sits for years... usually at least one set of valves are open.. if moisture has been allowed to enter the cylinder and other moving parts of the engine... its possible that a layer of contamination is sitting on the stems of the valves, cylinder, and other moving parts... thus the thought that the engine is hard to crank... also a loose electrical connection from the battery which is trying to start the gen set can also be a problem...

With the gen set cranking, what is the voltage at the starter of the gen set... you need a minimum of 9.8 v to assure a correct cranking speed to allow the engine to start....