Genset 2003 Jayco escapade

Check the oil level. There is a low oil cut off switch.

Not turning over? That could be low battery
Make and model of genset?
Starts but shuts down could be low oil pressure or lack of oil.
You should add coach to your profile.

By the way, "not turning over" means the motor does not crank. If it runs at all, even for a few seconds, it definitely is turning over.

It is worth your time and money to troubleshoot the generator. A replacement Onan will be a four-figure expense unless you get a used one. Besides the oil problems alluded to already, there are a couple other things that will make the controller shut down the generator quickly, such as not seeing proper electrical output.

It may also be that you're just not priming sufficiently. It can take a fair bit if the gas line between the tank and the generator is long, maybe 20 or 30 seconds or so (which feels longer to me when holding a switch down).

We have a 2003 Escapade 31A. Generator cranks off the "Coach" (aka "House") Battery, left side of the body behind the rear tire. It'll do that whether the Coach Battery Switch (control in the entry step well, actual relay inboard of the Coach Battery) is On or Off.
Our Escapade has an Auto Transfer Switch (ATS) that automatically applies generator power to the coach, after about 30 seconds of generator operation. I don't know if that ATS was standard or a option. Which Escapade Model do you have? Some may have an outlet, powered by the generator, that you must plug your shore tie cable into, to get generator power to the coach. ATS does that automatically.
The 12-Volt-DC lights and appliances, unlike the generator, don't operate unless that Battery Switch is ON.
And, if you have an ONAN 4KY GenSet, there's a breaker on the side of the panel containing the generator-mounted controls (that are under the access panel on the GenSet). It has to have its handle pulled outward to close the circuit.
Let us know which model Escapade and which model ONAN you have. Include the one-letter "Spec." You need a good Coach Battery, fully charged, to start the GenSet.

I find I have the Owner's Manual, and it states the ATS is standard. The manual is very generic, but might still help you. If you didn't get it with the coach, send me a Private Message with your EMailID and I'll send it to you.

Depending on the Spec Code of you ONAN GenSet, it probably does NOT have an Oil Level Sensor, so that can't cut it off. If it's a MicroQuiet 4KY, it's splash lubricated, so it can't have an Oil Pressure Sensor either. It's you job to be sure the oil stays full and that's it. No Oil Filter either.

It's very likely you'll need a new GenSet carburetor. Keep the discussion going and we'll see if we can help.

Thanks for all the replies. I will look over all the paperwork and the genset for the model#'s we were on the road today bringing it back from Ohio.

A5sims wrote:

Its been sitting since June, family member was ill and not able to tend to it.

Should I purchase another generator or go thru the process of determining what's going on?

4 days into rv ownership

If it runs at all, even for a few seconds, then it may NOT be the carb. But our previous owner let his gen sit, unexercised for some amount of time. A new carb, installed by Cummins, was $700

Hello!

Its an Onan microquiet 4000
Model # 4KYFA26100K

Jayco escapade 31a 2003

Our genset is same Model and spec. Coach is 2003 on 2002 chassis. And it's 31A. Very good floor plan. I can send the window sticker to help figure out what's standard and optional. Also have service and parts manuals for genset.