Onan 5500 Gold shuts down release of start button

[jdmalibu]

I have an Onan 5500 Gold, 106 hours on it. I had no problems until the way back from FL in March. Unit would shut down after running for a short period of time...say 30 minutes. Eventually it stopped running completely, it starts and runs while holding the start button. When I run the unit and hold start it eventually shuts it’s self down giving me a code 4 reading. I can do this from both inside the coach, and on the generator itself.

Had a small engine repair man, clean out the carb, and change the oil. He said the fuel pump was working. He gave up, and said generators are not really his thing.

I also just replaced the coach batteries...thinking that maybe it was a power issue.

Any thoughts on next steps OD diagnosing this generator?

[bigchick]

i would find out what shutdown error code 4 means. that might give you an idea.

[Redapple]

Code 4 is "Overcrank"

Read in a different thread the solution was slip ring brushes

Check them with an ohm meter, should be like 30 ohms.

Good luck

[Chief Alen]

You have the gas model or lp ?

[jdmalibu]

Originally Posted by Chief Alen

You have the gas model or lp ?

It’s a gas model, pulls from chassis fuel tank. 07 Itasca Sunova 35J.

[Spdracr39]

What is the fuel level in the tank? The pickup tube for the genny only goes down to 1/4 tank. Sometimes they stop as high as 1/2.

[jdmalibu]

Originally Posted by spdracr39

What is the fuel level in the tank? The pickup tube for the genny only goes down to 1/4 tank. Sometimes they stop as high as 1/2.

I wish it was a fuel supply issue, full tank, also used the prime button a several times while troubleshooting.

[Chief Alen]

Low oil safety bypass it run the genset, if it's working good you found the problem.

Next could be too much oil, might show correct on the stick to the full line make it to the add line in other words too much oil. Run it see if that fix's the problem.

[jdmalibu]

I brought the unit to an Onan repair place. They said as they began to clean up the rings, they found a broken wire attached to the shutdown switch. $170 2hr repair/diagnose.

Hopefully this information helps someone in the future.