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Topic: Onan Generator does not turn over. (Read 10 times) previous topic - next topic
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Onan Generator does not turn over.
Yahoo Message Number: 118190
A. Suddenly my Onan generator does not turn over.  It just makes a clicing sound and fails to crank.  I tried all of the trouble-shooting steps in the manual:
a. Starting at the genset rather than the remote control.
b. Checked the fuse Fk1 (OK).
c. Checked the battery charge (OK), but started the Ford engine and tried again, no joy.
   Doing a search on the website of the many generator problems, it sounds like a starter problem (at about $400), but I would be interested in any comments from the group.

B. I will probably wait until I get back to Texas in December (currently on Long Island, NY until after Thanksgiving).  The Onan site shows the closest Onan certified repair shop to be  Keith Whitaker RV Center (Repair)  Cummins Southern Plains, LLC (4977) (Full Service)  SO-TEX ENGINE & GENERATOR (Full Service)    Has anyone in the group had any experience with any of these repair centers?  (Another alternative was Camping World, which has not gotten a good review here.)  Any comments welcome.

C.  It may also be of interest that I found the following group that indicates you can get a 10% discount on parts and repairs from :
 http://www.cumminspowerclub.com/index.jsp Apparently the cost to join is $20/year from their FAQ http://www.cumminspowerclub.com/faq.jsp#public7 , and to quote from their web site:
 "The Cummins Power Club has been developed to better serve our Cummins customers. If you own an RV or Dodge Truck with a Cummins engine you'll want to be a club member. The Cummins Power Club is supported by Cummins Distributors throughout the United States and Canada. These distributors are committed to meeting your parts and service requirements. "

Is anyone familiar with this group?

Thanks.

Barry
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118194
Barry,
 Likewise, if you're taking the Southern route and going near Charlotte, NC there a place I've used for routine generator maintenance:

CARECO SERVICES 3478 Hwy 21 Ft. Mill, SOUTH CAROLINA 29715 Phone: (803) 802-7260 It is at the first SC exit as you travel South ob I-77.  It had been recommended to me by local RV folks.
Alex Rutchka, '05 MB whose first ride in an LD was in yours in September '04!
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118204
Quote
Barry, If you pass theough Austin on your way home, Fleet Maintenance of Texas services RV's and their generators (Onan Included).
www.fmtaustin.com/generators.htm

Malcolm Austin
I agree with Malcom.  I found them to be very fair.  However just on the north west edge of Austin is another generator repair tech and he was amazing.  Very fast and inexpensive.  Takes a real sense of ownership in getting you back on the road.  The guys name is Fred Summers.  He is also mobile and for a modest fee will come to you or you can go by his location.

Company is called Gen-tec and located at 2018 Eagles Way

Leander, TX.  78641 His phone is 512-260-7127
 I can't recommend him highly enough though I have to admit I would have no problem going to Fleet Maintenance either.

Terry R 23.5 TK
Terry Apple
2013 RB 27 Baby Blue Bentley
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118205
Thanks Malcolm.
 Have you used Fleet Maintenance and recommend them? Or has someone else recommended them?
 (If so, you might consider adding them to the 'Maintenance/Installation Facilities' database.

Aust
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118207
Terry,
 Thanks for the recommendation.  He sounds like the type of 'Shade Tree Mechanic' that I enjoy dealing with.

Our return trip will take us through Austin, so if we are not
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118209
Have you used Fleet Maintenance and recommend them? Or has someone else recommended them?

Barry, I used Fleet Maintenance of Texas recently for brake slide caliper lube and front wheel bearing seals and packing.  No generator maintenance.
I'll add to the database.

Malcolm
2002 Mid Bath
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118218
It's a long shot, but a simple thing to do. Remove the generator cables coming from the battery and clean the connections, both + and - cables, at the generator, the battery ends, or possibly a chassis frame connection point. If there are wires or cables that go from the generator starter to the starter solenoid and they are easily accessible, clean those connections too. Might get lucky!!
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118223
Eddie?
 Thanks for the suggestion.  Actually the Onan trouble-shooting instructions suggest that as well, but I did not do it since like you I thought the possibility was slight and I was limited
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over.
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118893
Terry,
 Thanks for the recommendation of Gen-tec.  Fred met me at a Wal-Mart on I35 and had the problem solved
Onan Generator does not turn over
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118224
A. Suddenly my Onan generator does not turn over. It just makes a clicing sound and fails to crank. I tried all of the trouble-shooting steps in the manual:
a. Starting at the genset rather than the remote control.
b. Checked the fuse Fk1 (OK).
c. Checked the battery charge (OK), but started the Ford engine and tried again, no joy.

..........................................

Barry, I had the very same problem for months and months and no one could find the fix for it. When in Texas getting our new domacile, I had Keith at Encore RV  repair in Dacogdochus look at my generator when he finished replacing one of my See Level II sensors. I have no idea how he could hear it, but he said there was a sound in there that didn't sound right. He pulled the valve cover and found one of the springs to be broken. He replaced the springs (saying that was a problem with some Onans and he has done that before). I hope that helps.

Judy Wms.
Blue '07 RB "Dog Daze" White '09 Scion "Puppy Daze" And all the fur kids

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118232
Hey, if anyone comes up with a good place around Kansas City that knows generators...I could use the lead. Mine is one that runs great....but produces No Voltage. Thanks.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Re: Onan Generator - runs, but no voltage
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118234
"Mine is one that runs great....but produces no voltage."
 The first thing to suspect is the transfer relay that sits atop your converter. It's quite possible that the generator is putting out juice, but the transfer relay isn't letting it through. (This happened to me after my rig was hit by lightning, damaging the relay.)
 NOTE: the following test involves working with live 120VAC wires. You can get killed doing this. Don't try it unless you're a qualified electrician!
 To test, one needs to pull the converter partway out from the cabinet, remove the transfer relay's lid, and disconnect the wires that come from the generator. If there's 120V present on those wires when the generator is running, the problem is the relay. It's a $70 part:

http://tinyurl.com/2wuukfc

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Onan Generator does not turn over
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118236
Have you looked at these guys?  They are listed as being part of Cummins "Coach Care" group and they have a place
 
Re: Onan Generator - runs, but no voltage
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118239
Don't forget the 120V circuit breaker on the generator itself.
 Not sure if all Onan have this breaker but, on the Emerald II the generator will run but electricity will not enter the coach. Check your owners manual.  This can trip if you turn on your AC then off then on aga