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Bama96 · 05-13-2014, 07:59 AM

Need some help diagnosing a Gen issue. I have a gas Onan and while it is running going down a smooth road or parked it runs perfectly. If I hit a bump in a rough road it shuts down. Any ideas? Loose wire connection? I have changed the oil and air filter. Gen has 450 hours on it. Thanks!

Pat916 · 05-13-2014, 08:23 AM

Was told by a mechanic where we purchased our M/H that sometimes bumps can cause the breaker at the gen just to trip, no apparent reason other than just hit bump. Has only happened once to us in two years.

Mich F · 05-13-2014, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama96

Need some help diagnosing a Gen issue. I have a gas Onan and while it is running going down a smooth road or parked it runs perfectly. If I hit a bump in a rough road it shuts down. Any ideas? Loose wire connection? I have changed the oil and air filter. Gen has 450 hours on it. Thanks!

I had the same issue, but in a much older Onan. In my case it was a low oil shut off . I had it back to a shop three times, before it got fixed/figured out (it never skipped a beat sitting on their level parking lot). I decided to park off level my last trip there, and within minutes it died. Any overpass, sharp turn would cause the generator to die. They just disconnected a wire I believe to eliminate the low oil shut off. Of course now I don't have a low oil shut off, but the generator runs.

Bama96 · 05-13-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mich F

I had the same issue, but in a much older Onan. In my case it was a low oil shut off . I had it back to a shop three times, before it got fixed/figured out (it never skipped a beat sitting on their level parking lot). I decided to park off level my last trip there, and within minutes it died. Any overpass, sharp turn would cause the generator to die. They just disconnected a wire I believe to eliminate the low oil shut off. Of course now I don't have a low oil shut off, but the generator runs.

I bet that is what is happening. I checked and rechecked the oil its right on the recommended 2 quart mark.

Bama96 · 05-13-2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat916

Was told by a mechanic where we purchased our M/H that sometimes bumps can cause the breaker at the gen just to trip, no apparent reason other than just hit bump. Has only happened once to us in two years.

This would case me to have to reset the breaker I assume? Im not having to do that.

Genset · 05-13-2014, 12:52 PM

Bama,
Get your head out of the sand and either fill it up with oil and/or replace the oil pressure switch.
It is quite normal for it to shut down when the oil pickup gets uncovered, yes it stops and be glad it does.
Low oil level is by far the most common issue for this event,
Been AN Onan dealer for 40+! Years, seen it all before.
Dave M

Bama96 · 05-13-2014, 01:23 PM

At cold this am it was 3/4 the way up the stick between add and full. Guess I need to go all the way up to full. The guide says it takes 2 quarts that's exactly what I put in it. Being over filled can also be problematic as well correct?