Forum Discussion

sawscjs's avatar
sawscjs
Explorer
Aug 16, 2014

onan generator cutting out

Was wondering if anyone has had problem with onan generator cutting out. While on vacation this summer, at 97º outside when I started the generator, waited 3 minutes for it to load up. Then I turned on the basement heat pump air conditioning. It ran for about 15 minutes cooling the coach , then died. Oil, plugs and air filter are ok. Gas tank was full. Driving down road. Did that 3 times in a row. Always restarted but then died again. Almost like after it got good and hot it cut out. Any ideas ? Thanks.
Class A
  • FIRE_UP's avatar
    FIRE_UP
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2014
    sawscjs wrote:
    Was wondering if anyone has had problem with onan generator cutting out. While on vacation this summer, at 97º outside when I started the generator, waited 3 minutes for it to load up. Then I turned on the basement heat pump air conditioning. It ran for about 15 minutes cooling the coach , then died. Oil, plugs and air filter are ok. Gas tank was full. Driving down road. Did that 3 times in a row. Always restarted but then died again. Almost like after it got good and hot it cut out. Any ideas ? Thanks.


    Just wondering,
    What kind of motor home, engine, year, generator model/fuel type etc.? You see, if it's a diesel coach, then it could be a 7.5QD Diesel gen. If that's the case, there's numerous write-ups on generator shut down, prematurely. Need more info.
    Scott
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Aug 16, 2014
    WyoTraveler wrote:
    5500 gas? Check code. Lack of fuel? Probablyvfuel pump. Big problem wit Onan in hot weather.

    Some people have actually reported moving the fuel pump off the generator away from the heat.
  • Passin_Thru's avatar
    Passin_Thru
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2014
    I can also be low coolant level. Check the codes. To fill coolant you have to remove the cover and pull out the filler neck so it fills and burps. Look up troubleshoooting guide. Had this problem in June.
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2014
    5500 gas? Check code. Lack of fuel? Probablyvfuel pump. Big problem wit Onan in hot weather.
  • 7ofus's avatar
    7ofus
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2014
    Just went through this on a gas Onan 5500. The fuel pump worked fine when cool, but failed at higher temperatures after a few minutes. When it cooled down, it worked great again - so it was hard to troubleshoot. I finally just replaced it on a hunch, and all has been well since then.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2014
    Have you changed the fuel filter on the generator?
    A new filter solved the surging problem on our 96 Southwind.

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