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Generator Problem
Help! My generator won't start or turnover using either of the start switches. No clicking or diode green light at the remote switch on the range hood. Jumping the starter solenoid made it turn over. Thanks, Mike
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #1 –
Do you have enough gas in your tank?
Daughter of the first Lazy Bones
Hitting the road on my own and with a friend 🚐 while reporting back to the Lazy Bones at home 🛋

2 Lazy Bones - Home
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #2 –
Full tank.
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #3 –
" Jumping the starter solenoid made it turn over. "

Have you tried starting the generator using the switch inside the generator's cover?
If it doesn't work, suspect the starter solenoid.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #4 –
Do you have depleted coach batteries; does it start with the Ford engine running?

Matt
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #5 –
New coach batteries, fully charged. The problem seems to be no power at either switch, no response when activated.
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #6 –
Some things to check: 
1. Bad ground connection, either at the generator, or more likely the freshly-replaced batteries.  Perhaps not all the wires got connected to the terminals, or when pulled out, the opposite end became disconnected.
(1.1 Replacement batteries wired as parallel 6V instead of series for 12V?)
2. Intermittent starter or starter solenoid.

3. Maybe got zapped by the solar eclipse?  :)

Chip
2000 Front Lounge
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #7 –
Looking at your initial post and responses, when you use the inside switch, nothing happens - it does not crank.  Same when you use the outside switch.  This means one of two things.  Either there is no power coming to the generator starter or as Larry said, the solenoid is bad.  So, it has nothing to do with gas.  You said jumping the starter solenoid made the generator crank.  If you were jumping to provide power to the solenoid, then the solenoid is probably ok.  If you were jumping to bypass the solenoid, then the solenoid is probably bad.

From the Onan troubleshooting guide:

"CHECK CRANKING Try to start the engine. If it does not crank, check the control fuse (5A Slo Blo, except models with electronic governor 10A). If the fuse is good, jumper the positive battery post to the coil terminal on the start solenoid. If the engine cranks, there is a poor connection, wiring damage or the control board is defective. If the engine cranks when the BATTERY POSITIVE pin is jumpered to the START SOLENOID pin on the control board, the board is defective. NOTE: The battery voltage should not go below 9.5 VDC during cranking."

"Q. When the start switch is pressed in the coach or at the generator, nothing happens. What could be the problem?
A. The coach battery could be completely discharged or there could be a problem with a battery cable, the control board or the wiring. If the coach interior lights will not work, the problem is likely the coach battery. Check the battery and control fuse first. If the lights work, use the Troubleshooting Guide to isolate the problem."

Based on the above, check the fuse, check the connections, if you have a voltmeter, check the voltage coming into the solenoid with the switch on, and if that does not tell you where the problem lies, my next step would be an Onan service person.  Playing around with the control board is not a good idea.  There can be 200 volts there.  A mistake would be costly and perhaps dangerous.

Ken F in UT
'08 MB
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #8 –
Thank you all for some good ideas. We're on the road now so the generator will have to wait, we seldom use it anyway. Ken can you tell me the location of the 5a or the 10a fuse? I don't find one on the main 12v distribution panel labeled for the generator.
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #9 –
Mike,
The fuse is outside on the generator.  Old Emerald's have a thumb tab holding a glass fuse on the face of the outside Start Stop Switch panel.  The Micro Quiet's(2800) have a spade type ATO fuse on the right side of the outside Start Stop Switch panel.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #10 –
My generator model number ends with the letter K. According to the factory tech, Onan discontinued the fuse after H. I found some parts lists and schematics online and they confirm what the tech told me, no fuse. Thanks for the responses. Mike
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #11 –
Hi Mike,

I have an Emerald, model # 4BGEFA26100P, and I have a fuse.

Ray
Ray
Now doing without...
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #12 –
Mine is model number 4KYFA26100K. This is the series that Onan deleted the fuse after H. I'd love to find a fuse they don't know about other than the one in the converter.
 
Re: Generator Problem
Reply #13 –
My apologies Mike. The letter P does in fact follow the letter H...don't know what I was thinking. Were you able to rectify (no pun) the situation and if so what was the cause?

Ray
Ray
Now doing without...