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roller183's avatar
roller183
Explorer
Aug 26, 2017

Code 47 on ONAN gen 5.5

The generator was running just fine two weeks ago and I stopped by to check on it. Started the generator and it ran for 2 seconds and died. It flashed "needs service". I checked the codes and its a "47" which is a magneto code.

Has anyone had this code flash and what was the cause? I have read anything that makes the engine stop like low oil etc will flash the same code?

Going to trouble shoot as much as can today....The though of buying a new generator for the unit $$$$ is a unpleasant thought...:(

TIA.

Ed
  • Kudos Ed glad you found the issue and it was a cheap repair!
  • As luck would have it, or Irish luck, it turned out a rodent had chewed threw a ignition wire and one wire to the carburetor.....Drum roll..........Re connected the wires and PRESTO!!!! She purrs like a kitten again ..whew.....

    I was sweating bullets all week long thinking it was the big one...Major repairs and $$$$.

    Luck was on my side.

    Off to home depot to find some mesh wire to cover the intake and vent opening under the genset.

    Thanks again.

    Ed
  • From what I have learned recently, Onan's trouble codes are so convoluted that I would not trust them. Any particular code could be indicative of any number of things, as to make their codes useless. For example, on my generator, Code 36 indicates a shut down. Well, surprise, surprise, that code does not tell me anything, since it is readily obvious that my generator shut down unexpectedly. The moral of the story is, don't panic, the issue could be a totally different case, and not necessarily anything related to the trouble code. So, keep an open mind!
  • I'm going to move this over to the Tech Issues forum from Toy Haulers I think you will get some more specific answers to your issue.

    To get you started here are some Code 47 threads from the archives. **Click Here**

    You also have an Onan service center close by so you can go to the trained techs. Avondale Cummins Sales & Service

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