Onan generator

D.E.Bishop wrote:
you can feel the pump trying to prime the engine.

Not a conclusive test at all.

It might be TRYING to pump but not getting the job done.

Dennis12 wrote:
You are going to find, fill tank. Problem solved.

IF....this only happened to him once, then that is very likely.

Has anybody mentioned checking the oil level too? I forget.

if u getting fault code 41, that is a "generator rotor fault".
the control board is not sensing field volts. could be (and most usually) a problem with field brushes/slip rings on rotor. also could be an open winding in rotor, or control board itself. Brushes are not easily accessed on this model. air scroll and flywheel must be removed which of course, means gen. must be removed from coach. So, might need $20.00 in parts (new brushes), and 300.00 labor, or two to three times that if rotor bad. control board also several hundred.
if it runs 10-20 minutes before shutting down, probably not low on fuel.
If you keep that gen, hopefully u can find a good, honest shop with experience on these units to diagnose it correctly. otherwise you can waste a wad of money on parts you dont need. The 4KY Microquiet sets
retail $ 3200+ You can find places on interweb sell around $2900 or so

bounder39zman wrote:

if it runs 10-20 minutes before shutting down, probably not low on fuel.

How do you figure that ?

The tool for cleaning is called a slick- stick and are available online for around $25.00. Not a difficult job, but on some the genny must be removed.

is there any chance the fault code is "14" and not "41" this is a common code (over frequency) and can happen if governor speed is just a little high. also, if field brushes are bouncing on a dirty rotor, this will cause control board to incorrectly read a high speed, as speed is read off of generator stator a.c. signal

is there any chance the fault code is "14" and not "41" this is a common code (over frequency) and can happen if governor speed is just a little high. also, if field brushes are bouncing on a dirty rotor, this will cause control board to incorrectly read a high speed, as speed is read off of generator stator a.c. signal

harold1946 wrote:
The tool for cleaning is called a slick- stick and are available online for around $25.00. Not a difficult job, but on some the genny must be removed.

My slick stick was $19.95 plus $10.00 S/H.

Arrived with detailed instructions. Very happy. At the time could not find it directly as an orderable item on the flightsystems.com website but was able to call and get it.



Be sure to check out the Youtube channel for detailed troubleshooting of Onan generators.

Try a new air filter, or at least check the condition of the one you have.

I just wish Kubota, Yamaha, or Honda would make direct replacements for Onan RV gennys. Onans are like an old woman, needs a lot of TLC!