Generator question

map40 wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:

map40 wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
I only had my ONAN do an overheat shut down one time.. Trust me when I say it was justified

I use a Gen-Turi when parked and only one time has it ever been so hot that I had to wear gloves to re-bag it.. (Same time) and the generator was OFF for some time

ONAN (and one assumes others) send ERROR codes obd-1 style (But easier) I don't know how many of you have ever read OBD-1 error codes but here is how (part of it)

You can either use a code reader key or the famous bent paper clip to short two terminals on the OBD port. then turn switch to on and count the flashes of the check engine light.

On the ONAN generators you either tap or long press (Forget which) the stop button and then read the flashes of the indicator light

Then you go to your handy dandy Manual.pef and look up the error code (you did download a copy of the manual to your hard drive and save a backup to your external drive right :) )

if it's overheat it will tell you. Same for out of fuel. low oil and several others though the error code can be Cryptic.

You tap the stop and it will give you the code. If you hold it it will start the fuel pump

Thanks.. and I'm now officially kicking myself because I knew that if you hold it it starts the fuel pump..

Alas the indicator lamp on my dash is not doing anything (I hear the thing start via an open window when I use it so long as I start it BEFORE the main engine) any idea how hard that light is to replace?

The light is not easy to replace, it is easier to replace the switch. You can buy it from Amazon for 10-20 bucks. On another note, check that you don't have a loose wire behind the switch. I have seen that more frequently than thever light burnt

Thanks. That is an option I ,at do if that's what it turns out to be. Unfortunately I'll have to wait to see if and when it happens again. Our next trip is to cedar point and we are leaving around 3 a.m.. coming home we will be leaving around 9 a.m.. so if it's an overheat issue it should show up on the way home. Although I know fuel pumps can also act up in the heat. But a code would tell me what's up.