Onan Starter Location December 25, 2007, 10:44:12 am Yahoo Message Number: 87453Thanks for the replies to my Onan problem so far. My friend seems to think it is a starter problem and wants to know where the starter is located on the Onan. He thinks it needs a 'Bendix'.
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #1 – December 25, 2007, 11:18:05 am Yahoo Message Number: 87454When you push the start button, if you hear the starter motor "spooling up" (sounding like it is turning much faster than normal and without the normally associated sounds of the engine cranking over), then your friend is correct - - the Bendix is not engaging the engine's starter ring gear. There are a couple of things to try before replacing the Bendix, especially if the generator is not decades old and with many hours on it. The Bendix is a simple mechanical device, consisting of a helix, spring, shaft etc. Since it's mechanical, it can get stuck. Due to the design, it's almost impossible to lubricate without complete disassembly, with one exception! You can try liberally spraying it with silicone spray. Also might try tapping it gently with a soft faced hammer (or with a bit of wood between it and a regular hammer. Then try the start sequence again.Additional starting troubleshooting: If the button is pushed and there's no cranking or starting noises - - dead battery or loose/corroded connections. If the button is pushed and there's only a clicking noise - - low battery, loose connections, or faulty starter solenoid (relay or contactor - same thing). If the button is pushed and the engine cranks normally but doesn't start - - low or no fuel reaching the engine, faulty ignition system, low oil cut-off, bunged up carb etc.all the best,bumper
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #2 – December 25, 2007, 11:28:00 am Yahoo Message Number: 87455"My friend seems to think it is a starter problem... He thinks it needs a 'Bendix'." When you press the starter switch, do you hear just a faint whine? If so, the electric starter motor is not engaging the genset's flywheel, and your friend is probably right. On the other hand, if you hear the normal chugging noise of the genset turning over, but it just doesn't "catch" and run, the problem is not the starter. In that case, you need to check fuel supply (low level in tank? cracked hose?) and ignition (loose wire? bad spark plug?).One other thing: I have a vague recollection that some of the Onan gensets had a safety feature that prevented starting when the oil level was low. So it wouldn't be a bad idea check the genset's dipstick as well to make sure you have adequate oil. Here's a general troubleshooting rule of thumb: always check the easy things first--fuel and oil levels, in this case--before you start tearing apart the equipment. Four times out of five, the problem is something simple and cheap to fix.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #3 – December 25, 2007, 11:32:41 am Yahoo Message Number: 87456On Dec 25, 2007, at 12:27 PM, Andy Baird wrote:QuoteWhen you press the starter switch, do you hear just a faint whine? If so, the electric starter motor is not engaging the genset's flywheel, and your friend is probably right. Could also be low starter battery voltage. If the house batteries are low, the starter might spin, but not engage the starter. Easiest way to check is start the truck engine first, raising the house battery voltage, then see if it starts.-Dave
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #4 – December 25, 2007, 02:26:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87458Thanks Bumper, yes, it is making a loud spinning noise when the starter is pushed, not the usual chugging noise. Do you know where the starter is accessed so we may try your suggestions? Do you have to crawl underneath it to access it? "bumperm" wrote:Quote When you push the start button, if you hear the starter motor "spooling up" (sounding like it is turning much faster than normal and without the normally associated sounds of the engine cranking over), then your friend is correct - - the Bendix is not engaging the engine's starter ring gear.Quote There are a couple of things to try before replacing the Bendix, especially if the generator is not decades old and with many hours on it. The Bendix is a simple mechanical device, consisting of a helix, spring, shaft etc. Since it's mechanical, it can get stuck. Due to the design, it's almost impossible to lubricate without complete disassembly, with one exception! You can try liberally spraying it with silicone spray. Also might try tapping it gently with a soft faced hammer (or with a bit of wood between it and a regular hammer. Then try the start sequence again.Quote Additional starting troubleshooting:If the button is pushed and there's no cranking or starting noises - - dead battery or loose/corroded connections.Quote If the button is pushed and there's only a clicking noise - - low battery, loose connections, or faulty starter solenoid (relay or contactor - same thing).Quote If the button is pushed and the engine cranks normally but doesn't start - - low or no fuel reaching the engine, faulty ignition system, low oil cut-off, bunged up carb etc.Quote > > all the best, >bumper >
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #5 – December 25, 2007, 02:32:52 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87459Thanks Andy and Dave, The house batteries are fully charged, and the fuel tank is full, we are going to check the oil stick now, although we do check it regularly and exercise the Onan always. No, the noise is a loud spinning, not the usual chugging noise. Do you know how to access the starter? We've looked in the manuals and it just states to take to a dealer for service. Does it require crawling under it to access the starter? Mari (Still in Needles, very windy)QuoteWhen you press the starter switch, do you hear just a faint whine? If so, the electric starter motor is not engaging the genset's flywheel,Quoteand your friend is probably right.On the other hand, if you hear the normal chugging noise of the genset turning over, but it just doesn't "catch" and run, the problem is not the starter. In that case, you need to check fuel supply (low level in Quotetank? cracked hose?) and ignition (loose wire? bad spark plug?).One other thing: I have a vague recollection that some of the Onan gensets had a safety feature that prevented starting when the oil level was low. So it wouldn't be a bad idea check the genset's dipstick as well to make sure you have adequate oil.Here's a general troubleshooting rule of thumb: always check the easy
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #6 – December 25, 2007, 02:44:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87460I just love his group! Where else would everyone be talking about generators on Christmas Day! Happy Holidays to everyone, hope you are all warm, and well and safe.Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #7 – December 25, 2007, 03:06:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87461If your generator works, then you are having one. Merry Christmas Kate! Mari Kate Klein wrote:Quote I just love his group!Where else would everyone be talking about generators on Christmas Day!Quote Happy Holidays to everyone, hope you are all warm, and well and safe.
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #8 – December 25, 2007, 03:28:03 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87462I didn't mean to imply that your problem wasn't a huge PITA, please accept my apologies if that's how it came across, it wasn't my intention at all.I just thought it was so indicative of this group that folks would still be talking RVs on Christmas. I hope it doesn't ruin your Christmas. Where are you guys right now?Kate http://cholulared.blogspot.com &http://www.cholulared.comWant to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Onan Starter Location Reply #9 – December 27, 2007, 10:53:45 am Yahoo Message Number: 87521Been there, done that. The starter is on the lower right side of the generator if you are looking directly at the generator, standing at the side of the LD. It is opposite of the exhaust. You will be working on your back. It is behind the control unit where the starter button is located. There is a rectangular opening back there, and the starter is located in that opening. You will have to disconnect the starter cable from the starter, after you pull the starter away from the unit aways. There are two bolts, if I remember correctly that hold the starter to the unit. They are hard to see, so you will be doing this by feel. You will need a long extension, I would say close to a foot. A swivel for the socket as well. I don't remember the size. I'm pretty sure there are nuts on the back side of the bolts. You will have to reach in through that opening to get at the nuts. I think you can come in on the far side of the unit, where the interior spark plug is located to access one of the nuts. As I said, get lots of light. Once you remove the unit, it is easy to repair. There is a bendix repair kit available from Onan and on-line. Just google it. The bendix is plastic. I fried mine by absent-mindedly hitting the remote starter button too fast. Putting the starter back in can be a PITA. Just take your time, hang on to the nuts and don't forget to re-attach the starter cable. I also put a very thin layer of grease on the bendix shaft as well. These directions are based on my 1997 4KW Onan Emerald (Plus) generator, which is(was) common through the mid to late 90s I believe. YMMV.Good Luck Chuck 97RB Skye
Re: Onan Starter Location Reply #10 – January 01, 2008, 11:16:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 87777No, I didn't take it that way at all Kate, I liked your message and you are right, even though it's a big holiday, we are still focused on our LD's and their accessories. No, this little gen problem has not upset my mood at all, I am a big microwave user, so we are on shore power. We did want to move on today, but the wind here was really awful this morning so we are staying till it dies down. Mari (in Needles CA, warm but very windy) Kate wrote: .Quote I just thought it was so indicative of this group t Where are you guys right now?
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