Hello, We are in very hot South Texas and we plug into a large company Generator for most of the day but in the afternoon our 30 am plug in shore line, will not run both air while plugged into that Generator. plug and cord over heats. So we will unplug and turn on our onboard Generator which is an Onan and run it for about 2 to three hrs. to cool down in the hot part of the early evening. Yesterday the Gen died after an hour and my husband check it was low on oil so he took care of that, now the Gen will turn over chug a few times then die. He has check the fuel filter and fuel pump, can see it getting fuel. He has now gone to town to try to figure out what else to try: Any one out there have this problem? Thanks for any helpPeg

Coil? Try starting it in the dark at the generator and watch for stray sparks.

What do you mean by "chug a few times and die"? Do you mean it cranks tries to start but does not start while it is still cranking? Or does it turn over a few times no sign of starting or sputtering? If the eng turns over fine (cranks) but no sputtering or trying to start I would check to see if there is spark at the plug.

maybe needs a little more descriptive noun than "chug". I have seen oil sensors go bad after they work once. Bypass it. Start there and then work on improving the description of symptom por favor :)

Peg, We have some outstanding genset techs here, especially for the ONAN brand. For them to help you best, they must have the full Model Number and Spec Code. The Spec is actually the last character of the Model. The very popular "4KY" has had Spec changes to "K" and probably beyond. KY has no oil pump, oil filter or oil pressure switch. That's because it is Splash Lubricated like a small mower engine. It HAD an Oil Level Switch but that was deleted before the Spec got to K, which is what ours is. Knowing what you have will help us help you. No need to troubleshoot a feature that you don't even have!

Onan Generator Stopped running | Good Sam Community

Peg61
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014
Handbasket

Hand basket your half way through this after I post information. Why jump in with no help now. I do not understand people that just want to rant.
Now on with the show.
My husband tried to take off the Carb could not get it off but sprayed it and tinkered with it needle is clear. He checked all hoses they are ok just not sure what is left but to call someone thanks you all very much for all the help Kelley thank you for the number we are down by Big Wells Tx which is not very big. lol. Checking wires but if wires were bad I did not think it would turn over . KG I will check out that site maybe they will give us an idea?
back to drawing board thanks
Handbasket
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014
Peg61 wrote:
Handbasket

Hand basket your half way through this after I post information. Why jump in with no help now. I do not understand people that just want to rant. .....

And you apparently missed that fact that the 'rant' was to the moderators, not you.
gunny357
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014
No real familiar with this model. Does it have a belt that drives the generator end? If so, check the belt for damage
Peg61
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
How do I bypass the oil sensor?
j-d
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2014
Peg, Did you get a service manual for your specific genset? If you did, it should contain a description of how the sensor works, and a wiring diagram showing how it connects. Armed with that information, you should be able to bypass it. IF, of course, that spec code has one...
ksg5000
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
Peg61 wrote:
How do I bypass the oil sensor?

Not familiar with your setup - have read some threads where people just disconnect wire to sensor and ground it - might be worth a shot.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
It's so much easier to take a Honda generator that is portable to an easily available shop, than futz around with an Onan mounted on board, so it seems.
ksg5000
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
NinerBikes wrote:
It's so much easier to take a Honda generator that is portable to an easily available shop, than futz around with an Onan mounted on board, so it seems.

I doubt many who own an on board generator have ever considered trading it in for a portable. Most issues are a result of lack of use and Onan's tend to last forever with nominal maintenance - common problem tends to be associated with not using them enough. As far as finding someone to fix .. same guys who work on portables can fix an on board and any truck outfit will have someone experienced with generators (all the refrigerated trucks have generators).

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