Update on generator runs but no power

Question

I posted last week about generator running but going into engine run only mode. Tried all the suggestions but no change (see thread if curious). Camping World was great and worked me in on short notice to diagnose. Too much for them and referred me to Onan specialist. This is brand new 2015 Winnebago Sightseer. Generator has 3 hrs on it. Specialist says short in a wire in wiring harness- gen to coach- Thare is a short that is causing problem and stopping the transfer of electrical current. He isolated wire but not short. Must now pull the unit to find the source. So that is where we stand now.

This has been frustrating. My third new Winnebago (each has been our last) and others had few problems. This one has had electrical issues. Bad wiring in radio, bad crimp in water pump, release for extend sectional fell apart. All fixable but nuisance.

I made the mistake of not scheduling a small three day trip where all systems would get a workout and yet close to service as shake down. Now it has impacted our travel plans. We can manage that but good lesson. Shake down trip on new coaches are not optional. We have discussed quality control issues in the past. My issues are unique in that everything worked albeit briefly and then stopped. We have used it but basically driveway. It took driving and bouncing down some bad roads to expose the problems.

I will post final update when fixed.

gbopp · Answer

Here's your Original Post.Thanks for the update.

adayjk · Answer

As the conveyor of a little doom and gloom. The next economic downturn we will hear how things are hard and more US factories will close in this industry. Sadly many will loose their jobs. But only part of the story will be the money side of things. Quality and quality control is almost non-existant. Many many buyers are on their "last one ever" because of this. Who wants to pay may tens of thousands of dollars for a defective product with numerous workmanship issues that ruin the core functionality of the product?

I've had a great summer so far in my Coachmen product. Last summer, my new 2014 class C had a huge list of problems that took nearly 100 hours of labor to fix. One of those problems was a defective Onan generator. At PDI I was told it was run for an hour. It quit in my driveway, and when I looked at meter it said 0.5 hours on the meter! I got a similar run around with the dealer sending me to Cummins and Cummins claiming I had to foot the bill.

These products are shrinking their own market. Only a few can tolerate the cost and hassle of these units and not become so frustrated that they leave the market. I'm an example. My RV is near perfect now, but I'll shop used next time. It will save a few dollars, and I get the unit after the incredible hassle of fixing the mess the factory created is over.

I hope you problems get resolved.

goldencrazy · Answer

adayjk wrote:As the conveyor of a little doom and gloom. The next economic downturn we will hear how things are hard and more US factories will close in this industry. Sadly many will loose their jobs. But only part of the story will be the money side of things. Quality and quality control is almost non-existant. Many many buyers are on their "last one ever" because of this. Who wants to pay may tens of thousands of dollars for a defective product with numerous workmanship issues that ruin the core functionality of the product?I've had a great summer so far in my Coachmen product. Last summer, my new 2014 class C had a huge list of problems that took nearly 100 hours of labor to fix. One of those problems was a defective Onan generator. At PDI I was told it was run for an hour. It quit in my driveway, and when I looked at meter it said 0.5 hours on the meter! I got a similar run around with the dealer sending me to Cummins and Cummins claiming I had to foot the bill. These products are shrinking their own market. Only a few can tolerate the cost and hassle of these units and not become so frustrated that they leave the market. I'm an example. My RV is near perfect now, but I'll shop used next time. It will save a few dollars, and I get the unit after the incredible hassle of fixing the mess the factory created is over. I hope you problems get resolved.You make a really solid point about used actually being more reliable. We used to buy new for the same reason. Boy that has flipped.  I am curious on what basis you were told you had to foot the bill. At the Onan dealer he suggested it may be a problem not directly related to the warranty on the generator. I said fix it and I will pay and fight with Winnebago for reimbursement. At this point I would like it to work.

rgatijnet1 · Answer

And that is the problem.....the generator was sent to Winnebago who installed it in the chassis. There will be an argument as to who was at fault with each one trying to protect their own bottom line.
Unfortunately the buyer is the one that always loses since they never get reimbursed for their lost time or trip interruption. With the seller knowing that the buyer will soon be hundreds of miles away from his lot, if a problem develops there is little incentive to make things right in a timely fashion.

goldencrazy · Answer

Well the system is now operating perfectly. By moving the wires the bare wire that was shorting is separated from the bunch. Problem is a good bump could jiggle the wires and put me back in same place. I can't live wondering how long it will work. So must take it apart to view the wires and find the offender. It will I suspect come down t error in installation which will be Winnebago expense. I hope they stand behind the product. This problem has caused us to change our trip and shorten by a week.

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Update on generator runs but no power

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