Forum Discussion

Explorer II

Oct 18, 2014

Problems starting 2800 Cummins-Onan gas generator

Hey guys since I bought my van Ive had problems with my generator. I will number the issues for you guys.

1. The geneator will not start from inside the coach, but it will turn off from inside the coach.

2. The previous owner told me that I would have to start the generator from the outside and pull the throttle while I push start, and that way it does start.

3. Im not sure if its a bad carb, the coach was sitting for 5 yrs and has only 50 hrs on generator, by looking at the model of the genset its supposed to be a 2002 model.

4. I was able to start the genset and run the rooftop ac and microwave for 2 days with no problems and even run them both at same time.

5. Since this small engine boat lawnmower guy tried to work on my genset starting problem he cleaned the carb and adjusted the governer or throttle, the thing that im pulling with my right hand, he adjusted it with a screwdriver tighting or loosening some screw near it, since then the genset will not stay on when i put the ac lo cool or hi cool option or micowave, if i put those on it shuts off right away. It does stay on for a few mins when i just turn on the fan option on the rooftop ac., maybe 5 or 10 mins.

6. So in a nutshell i need to know what i need to do to fix the starting problem and what i need to do to get it back to the right frequency voltage so it can run my rooftop ac microwave etc.

I have attached a video link to youtube and pics of the genset from photobucket,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0pnh-VsySo&list=UUMr-DGdHd1j_vBuTjLwOepQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0pnh-VsySo&list=UUMr-DGdHd1j_vBuTjLwOepQ

http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btayg.jpg.html?o=0#/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btayg.jpg.html?o=0&_suid=141366472601906898792651388945
http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btayg.jpg.html?o=0#/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181900_zpspch3ejpa.jpg.html?o=0&_suid=14136647602430478319400875199
http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btayg.jpg.html?o=0#/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_182007_zpss7crj0by.jpg.html?o=2&_suid=141366478677107007316685676423
http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_181906_zpsc06btayg.jpg.html?o=0#/user/marshallkhamou88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141015_182002_zps1kghewv9.jpg.html?o=3&_suid=141366480546108912193170286702

Class B

15 Replies

Assyrian_Elvis
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2014
avanti wrote:
You are probably past this point, but just in case:

The FIRST thing to check on an Onan no-start issue is the infamous little black vent tube that sticks out the bottom. Insects crawl up into it and it gets clogged. Clean it out with a wire. I know this sounds like superstition, but I have personally cured multiple no-starts this way, as have many others.

Thanks for the advice sir. I am just wondering what did they charge you at cummins to fix your generator. I am not concerned with the start up issue. I can manually start it. But what I need to get fixed is the problem with the genset cutting off when I turn on the rooftop ac or microwave. Just wondering what did they charge you in labor or parts for the problem you had. I didnt like the answer cummins gave me when they said that we dont know how long it will take to fix and we are going to charge you 125 pet hr. They also said the starting problem on mine could be a varnished carburtor and that I would have to get the whole carb replaced because cummins does not clean or rebuild carbs anymore due to the danger of creating a fire in the coach because the seals inside the carb go bad and the only sure way to fix the card is to replace it and not repair it.
avanti
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
You are probably past this point, but just in case:

The FIRST thing to check on an Onan no-start issue is the infamous little black vent tube that sticks out the bottom. Insects crawl up into it and it gets clogged. Clean it out with a wire. I know this sounds like superstition, but I have personally cured multiple no-starts this way, as have many others.
rwj146
Explorer
Oct 18, 2014
I wasted $200.00 with a service center trying to diagnose why my Onan 2800 would not crank up,they wanted to charge me to remove the thing and MAYBE figure it out.I told them to button it up and I would take it elsewhere. Best money I spent was taking to Cummins Southern Plains and having them repair it.

As the the other poster told you, tell the repair person what was attempted and they can figure it out quickly. Cummins is a bit pricey but they know what they are doing.
Assyrian_Elvis
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2014
midnightsadie wrote:
don,t let the guy touch your gen set again, find a gen set dealer, and tell him the problem, and most important tell him a guy turned screws he had no idea what he was doing, that,s important. it,ll save the qualified mech time in trouble shooting.

There is a cummins-onan dealer in little rock but they charge 125 per hr, I wish I could find another rv place or some guy who works on them on the side, its kinda high and I cant afford it now.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2014
don,t let the guy touch your gen set again, find a gen set dealer, and tell him the problem, and most important tell him a guy turned screws he had no idea what he was doing, that,s important. it,ll save the qualified mech time in trouble shooting.