Generator Will Not Stay On April 10, 2023, 04:34:48 pm During the monthly generator maintenance run, it started, but immediately died. I repeated the start and fail several times. I concluded my time with the fuel hose was at its end. A 2007 build.I "tested" my guess by injecting starter fluid into the air intake and it would run for as long as I carried to squirt fluid.I would guess this means the genset is OK, but I have a fuel supply problem.It threw a code, but it was not meaningful.I disconnected the fuel line, primed it and a gusher of gas came out. A lot more gas than I would guess it would need. A guess only.No one locally is knocking on my door to drop the tank, and replace the fuel pump and supply line.The Cummins/Onan service is two hours away and I would need to stay overnight.Any bright ideas on what might be the problem. 1 Likes
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #1 – April 10, 2023, 04:48:01 pm My generator has been the main finicky item on my RV. I would recommend disconnecting the existing fuel line at the carb, connecting a separate fuel hose onto one end of the carb and having it run into a small gas can to see if the generator runs smoothly. Prime it per usual, and it if runs off the gas can smoothly then you can suspect its a fuel hose issue to the tank.I find this genset to be finicky as hell even with proper exercise. I had replaced the fuel filter, ran seafoam through it, exercised it regularly and after an hour of running smooth it would still start to surge and lull. I finally bit the bullet and bought a pricey Onan carb and replaced it. I found that the original carb in my genset was a chinese knock off! Since then, it has run smoothly but I'm still scarred by all my troubleshooting. The carb has a VERY fine inlet/outlet and the slightest of gunk can screw it up. I also replace the spark plug regularly. Is the start/prime button on the actual genset throwing an error code? It should blink to show what code is coming up and you can google the Onan error codes. If you give it a few hours, try again and prime it for a good 8-10 seconds and see if it fires up. 3 Likes
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #2 – April 10, 2023, 06:37:29 pm Hi Don, I recently had problems getting my old Emerald II to run smoothly. It turned out to be the summer/winter adjustment, combined with the altitude adjustment. (forgot I had left it set for high altitude). A little fiddling and it is running. I ran it for my maintenance run about an hour just a week ago. Ran a heater and vacuum cleaner. The MicroQuiet may have different adjustments. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #3 – April 10, 2023, 07:07:54 pm I had an issue with the Onan MicroQuiet in our 2002 MB. The generator would start and run but then suddenly die. I suspected it could be the known problem of air leaking into the fuel line from the tank, but it turned out to be the fuel pump in the generator. Try running fuel hose from the generator to a container of gas. If it dies, it is likely to be the fuel pump. If it continues to run, you are probably dealing with an air leak in the fuel line from the tank.Art 2 Likes
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #4 – April 12, 2023, 10:20:24 am Huh? I have no idea how you got it to run from a gas can. The generator has/needs a fuel pump.When I disconnect the fuel line from the genset carb and prime it, gas flows out.If the carb was clogged, why would it run on starter fluid.FYI, Carb and control board replaced a few years ago.
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #5 – April 12, 2023, 10:42:41 am Perhaps this will help test, and replace if necessary, your Onan’s fuel pump.-Whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U72Zmk0BF-o 2 Likes
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #6 – April 12, 2023, 01:34:11 pm Hi I have a 31ft IB LD bought new. Two yrs ago gen would run for about 10 minutes the stop. Tried several times to overcome thissituation with no results. Internet search found several others with same proble.New fuel pump solved Bob
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #7 – April 12, 2023, 04:44:24 pm Hey Don, just happened upon this Onan video, how full is the oil?The guy rambles too much, gets to the issue around two minutes in.Basically putting too much oil in the generator can cause it to run then just die, and according to him, the oil dipstick isn’t accurate, when it reads full, it’s really overfilled.
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #8 – April 12, 2023, 05:21:46 pm Quote from: WhiteElk - April 12, 2023, 10:42:41 amPerhaps this will help test, and replace if necessary, your Onan’s fuel pump.-Whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U72Zmk0BF-oThanks, but like I said, I have fuel coming into the carb. Still flummoxed on the diagnose.I am thinking it might be the carb - again. $$$ That means making an appointment and a trip to the big city.hmmm wonder if I can replace the carb myself?BTW, I replaced the fuel pump and filter a few years back. And it's a MAJOR PIA. Count on skinned fingers. I never did get the control board back into place, but it turned out the board was part of the problem and Onan replaced it.Tip: If you have generator problems, wipe the dust off the control board and if you see any brown/burned sections on the plastic cover, get your wallet out.
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #9 – April 12, 2023, 05:51:01 pm Quote from: Dave Katleman - April 12, 2023, 04:44:24 pmHey Don, just happened upon this Onan video, how full is the oil?The guy rambles too much, gets to the issue around two minutes in.Basically putting too much oil in the generator can cause it to run then just die, and according to him, the oil dipstick isn’t accurate, when it reads full, it’s really overfilled.Every YouTube "mechanic" rambles. Some want to introduce their dog, etc.The oil level is where it has been since before this problem started. What the heck, I will drain some oil and see if it makes a difference.
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #10 – April 13, 2023, 01:32:03 am Quote from: Don Malpas - April 12, 2023, 05:21:46 pmI am thinking it might be the carb - again. $$$ That means making an appointment and a trip to the big city.hmmm wonder if I can replace the carb myself?Yes, you can replace the carb yourself. I’ve done it twice, before I inserted a fuel cutoff valve in the generator fuel line. When I’m done with the gen for the camping trip, I start the gen, close the shutoff valve, and let it consume the fuel in the carb. The idea is that a dry carb won’t gum up.
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #11 – April 13, 2023, 12:38:44 pm Quote from: Keith S - April 13, 2023, 01:32:03 amWhen I’m done with the gen for the camping trip, I start the gen, close the shutoff valve, and let it consume the fuel in the carb. The idea is that a dry carb won’t gum up.Draining the carb is a good idea but continue to do the monthly generator maintenance run. Running the generator under load dries any moisture that has accumulated in the generator's armature winding and help keeps the oil clean of moisture or fuel.Moisture can destroy the insulation of the windings which can cause the armature to short out, leading to a very expensive repair. It requires the generator to be removed and disassembled to change the armature.Larry
Re: Generator Will Not Stay On Reply #12 – April 13, 2023, 06:05:13 pm "It requires the generator to be removed and disassembled to change the armature."Happened to me once. The repair cost $1,100. Best to avoid if possible!
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