just bought an 85 pace arrow with a onan generator. The generator did not crack at all, it only clicked.. I bought a new starter solenoid and now it click constantly.. see video.I've removed the fuses for now.. any thoughts?

No video to see....at least not on my version.Are you sure the battery is strong enough? Have you tried putting jumper cables on battery, and then trying the genset?When you say that the new solenoid is clicking constantly, do you mean that it clicks even when you don't try to start it? That might indicate a bad start switch.Also, can you start it from the start switch on the genset itself? (thinking that the remote start switch or wiring is the problem)If you jump the solenoid, does the starter turn over? (just because the solenoid is new, doesn't mean that it's good:()

http://s187.photobucket.com/user/qckvert/media/20130622_154723_zps983576ea.mp4.htmlwell I tried it when the rv is running so 12volts get to the solenoid.and yes it clicks constantly. If I jump it I only get a click but the starter is not rotating.

May have previously stopped with the piston near the full compression and needs help. Read somewhere on the forum about this. With the battery disconnected, they reach around the front of the the generator and grab the fan with gloves on. They pull on the top fan blade until it moves. Then reconnect the battery and try starting it. Just a thought and you do this at your own risk.

You may have a bad ground. Shut off the power and check all connections and particularly the ground connections.

Bad ground at the batteries or the gen ? I know that the house batteries are getting drained not sure if they're bad or something is draining them. The gen gets power from them, so I can only attempt to start it when the rv is running. I'm good with tools so I may take the gen apart and check the starter but is something I've never done before

onan generator does not crank | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

tropical36
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
lamoz wrote:
Onan Genset OBFA R16004 C
Serial #1843854264

"common case of fingeritis" ??

Meaning that someone got their fingers in there and messed things up, either with rewiring, getting the connections wrong,....etc.
and since we don't know it's history..........
My Generac did something similar once and I did end up with replacing the control board. You may also have a separate voltage regulator board, but doesn't sound like the problem, even if that's the case.
jerseyjim
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Might be a cousin to "tinkeritis". Never heard of it before, either.
lamoz
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
Onan Genset OBFA R16004 C
Serial #1843854264

"common case of fingeritis" ??
tropical36
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
lamoz wrote:
It's running :)
cleaned the fuel pump, jumped the solenoid and got it to run. The switch does not crack it and does not will not stop the generator either. I have to remove the #2 fuse to kill it. I removed the connector for the remote switch from inside the RV
now the question is, could it be wired wrong? I know the fuel pump should not be running unless the generator is on. I have a wiring diagram for the generator but i have no idea how to read it.

Sounds like the control board went bad unless it has a common case of fingeritis.
geno39
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
lamoz wrote:
It's running :)
cleaned the fuel pump, jumped the solenoid and got it to run. The switch does not crack it and does not will not stop the generator either. I have to remove the #2 fuse to kill it. I removed the connector for the remote switch from inside the RV
now the question is, could it be wired wrong? I know the fuel pump should not be running unless the generator is on. I have a wiring diagram for the generator but i have no idea how to read it.

If you could give us the model and serial numbers, it would help.
lamoz
Explorer
Jul 14, 2013
It's running :)
cleaned the fuel pump, jumped the solenoid and got it to run. The switch does not crack it and does not will not stop the generator either. I have to remove the #2 fuse to kill it. I removed the connector for the remote switch from inside the RV
now the question is, could it be wired wrong? I know the fuel pump should not be running unless the generator is on. I have a wiring diagram for the generator but i have no idea how to read it.
tropical36
Explorer
Jul 05, 2013
lamoz wrote:
I used compressed air to clean everything.. Bought new house batteries, i can get it to crank but by jumping it at the switch.. the noise it was making was not that solenoid but is the fuel pump. It's not pumping gas. I checked the hose and is free from obstruction, I sucked on it and got fuel coming out. the white wire coming from the generator the powers the pump is always hot. shouldn't it only supply voltage to the pump while cranking and running?

Take the fuel line off, attach and drop a short one into a milk jug with fuel to see if it'll run that way.
lamoz
Explorer
Jul 05, 2013
I used compressed air to clean everything.. Bought new house batteries, i can get it to crank but by jumping it at the switch.. the noise it was making was not that solenoid but is the fuel pump. It's not pumping gas. I checked the hose and is free from obstruction, I sucked on it and got fuel coming out. the white wire coming from the generator the powers the pump is always hot. shouldn't it only supply voltage to the pump while cranking and running?
B_s_Bunch
Explorer
Jul 05, 2013
Sometimes you just have to pull it out to get to things. I have had to do that when they install them in a compartment. They cut a couple holes for ventilation and that is all. Larry
tropical36
Explorer
Jul 05, 2013
lamoz wrote:
can't get under the, it sits on a tray so all see from the rv is metal
I've searched online for diagrams but can't seem to find one :(

Ummmmmm, we had an ONAN in our 87 Pace Arrow that looked impossible until I crawled down under and found a space that allowed me to remove the starter. The problem in my case, turned out to be a stripped plastic gear that made it impossible to engage the fly wheel or whatever. Went to a Cummings Dealer for the part and we began our trip in the afternoon, rather than in the morning.