generator starting issue... wiring?

Question

I have a Onan 5.5kw marquis gold generator... from the generator panel itself, it starts quickly and without any problems, but from the remote start panel inside the trailer, it cranks for quite awhile before starting... AND if the battery gets a little bit low, it WONT start at all from the remote, but it tries to but only clicks and acts as if the battery is too low to crank it over....
BUT if I go out to the generator panel, it cranks over and starts like it is connected to a fully charged battery without any issue, as it should.

one other symptom that im sure is relevent somehow... when the batt is low and it WONT start from inside the trailer, when th eswitch is engaged, it pulls the lights down dim.... maybe a grounded start circuit?
this would be considered normal if the batteries were in fact so low that it couldnt start, but they arent, as it starts fine from out at the genset panel.

has anyone had an issue like this? I would like to fix the actual problem rather than adding a work-around circuit, but im not sure where to look for the problem.

it would be easy enough to add another start relay in the system, and forget about the OEM wiring, but thats NOT really the way I prefer to get it to work.... thanks for any suggestions

mrwizard · Answer

well there could be chewed wires from rodents
but i would try (2) things

get a can of contact cleaner, DeOxit is very good

at the genny pull the control harness plug out from where it plugs into the generator and clean both the cable end, and the mating side mounted on the generator

if that doesn't fix
pull the start/stop switch from the remote panel and replace it
maybe test the wiring by touching wires together

the center wire gets switched to either end
one end is stop, the other end is start
do not get start and stop cross wired together, you might damage the control board

westend · Answer

From the description, it sounds like you have resistance in the remote starting circuit. Sometimes, it is better to just bite the bullet and rewire from the generator to the remote panel. That way, you will know exactly what you have. A cursory inspection of the connections and a spray of Deoxit is a great idea. A loose or oxidized connection can produce a lot of resistance.

centerline · Answer

westend wrote:From the description, it sounds like you have resistance in the remote starting circuit. Sometimes, it is better to just bite the bullet and rewire from the generator to the remote panel. That way, you will know exactly what you have. A cursory inspection of the connections and a spray of Deoxit is a great idea. A loose or oxidized connection can produce a lot of resistance.  I agree that sounds like the problem... possibly the wire to the solenoid is pinched somewhere in the circuit between the remote switch and the start solenoid, and has a slight connection to ground so when the juice passes thru to start the genset, it robs most of the power that should be completing the circuit. Im not sure how the generator is wired, as ive never worked on a generator start circuit before... where the generator itself is also the starter motor for the engine... can anyone describe this to me?, as it would undoubtedly help me with the troubleshooting.

mrwizard · Answer

i think your 2007 onan marquis has an electric starter just like my 97 or any car

the use of the genset rotor as a starter , stopped many years ago, back in the 80's maybe even before, i know my 89 onan had a separate electric starter
can't remember if the 82 did

the remote wiring goes to the plug and into the control board
just like the on board switch

jerryjay11 · Answer

It could be as simple as bad contacts internal of the starter switch. When any switch opens and closes a spark between the contacts occur and after time the contacts can become burnt, adding high resistance. That's because it gets more use than the starter switch on the gen.

Also, depending where the battery is wired into the circuit it could be a battery problem. It could be just getting old.

Forum Discussion

generator starting issue... wiring?

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Generator start issue

Starting Issue

Engine starting issues

Generator not starting

Generator Won't Start