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Effy's avatar
Effy
Explorer II
Jun 13, 2016

cummins/onan genset issues - FIXED

Gen won't start. No idea why. It's a 4000. Started and ran fine a month ago when we took our last trip. Went to start today and nothing. A clicking almost like the batts are dead - they aren't , full charge. It sounds almost like it does when it's priming. Maybe I over primed? But no crank at all.

Never had any issue with the RV itself, but this genset has been nothing but problems and probably the most unreliable piece of equipment I ever owned. The first gen set froze up and broke the shaft the first month we had it. It had to be replaced. Second genset fried a board getting ready for a trip. Had that replaced. Thank goodness all under warranty. Now this one plain won't start. Like I said, ran fine a month ago.

This is the kind of stuff that makes me want to give up Rving altogether. I mean you pay money in the hopes of having something reliable and it continues to fail. I used to think Cummins was a good brand. Since they bought onan I hear nothing but problems. My generac at the house is as reliable as anything I have ever owned. This cummins/onan is garbage.

25 Replies

  • In the 5 Class'A' MoHOs we've had, never had any Genny problems. Our present one is a 4000 like u'rs. No problems yet. I wonder if the dealer you've dealt with for u'r 'Warranty' problems is 'Fixing' u'rs with "Used, but Good" parts?
  • My Onan 5500 has been very finicky over the years. Have had more problems with it than anything else on the mh.
  • I have had many problems with genset as well. I agree with you about reliability mine is a gas engine not diesel. Has cost a fortune over the years to keep it going. I am wondering if Honda would be a better choice for Mo Ho builders to install.
  • Effy's avatar
    Effy
    Explorer II
    The genset in our old MH never had an issue. I've had issues with 3 in 3 years with this one.
  • Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble. Mine has been trouble free for almost 12 years now. It's an 8,000 and I've used it quite a bit.
    Sounds like a battery connection to the starter or ground. Maybe a mobil tech can help you.