Forum Discussion

Peg61's avatar
Peg61
Explorer
Aug 23, 2014

Onan Generator Stopped running

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 help
Peg
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    It is sooooooo frustrating to read symptoms then try to Ouija a generator model out of thin air. This actually applies to any complicated piece that is being troubleshot.

    "It sound like - reminds me of" may encourage a more comprehensible realization of a symptom than a single noun description.
  • eHoefler's avatar
    eHoefler
    Explorer II
    Aug 24, 2014
    Disconnect or turn off all appliances when starting the generator, sounds like you are trying to start with a load, maybe A/C.
  • Kpackpackkelley's avatar
    Kpackpackkelley
    Explorer II
    Aug 24, 2014
    j-d wrote:
    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!

    Jd we need to copy what you posted and post every time somebody ask about there gen. Thanks
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Aug 24, 2014
    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!
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    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 :)
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Aug 23, 2014
    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.
  • Heisenberg's avatar
    Heisenberg
    Explorer
    Aug 23, 2014
    Coil? Try starting it in the dark at the generator and watch for stray sparks.

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