Generator wont restart after running for a while

[Mr__Beef]

Onan 4000 Microlite 4KY26100E
My generator has had a new fuel pump, fuel filter, fresh oil and filter change, brand new carb yesterday, as well as spark plug and air filter.

When I go to use it, I have one shot at getting it started. Here are the scerios:

1. Push start on the remote control and when it starts to run I let go of the button. It runs AC and fridge for 3 hours +. I pulled into gas station and pushed stop button. Filled up with fuel, moved the rig, pushed start button at the dash and it just cranks and cranks and cranks. What the heck happened?? We drove about 20 minutes and I pulled over so I could listen: pushed start on the dash and it fired right up. About an hour later we got where we were going, stopped the generator. Also note that I saw the lights flickering a little before I shut it down. I went out and listened and it was sounding a little choppy, almost like it wanted to surge (but it didn't) and then cut down too low. It was a very very slow process, but remained evenly running... Weird. Anyway, An hour later I tried to restart and it just cranks again... Now we are laying here sweating to death with no ac, so we are pitching a tent tonight.

2. On a different day, I started the generator and it sounded like it was about ready to run, but I let off of the start button too soon apparently and it never really got started. Pushed it again and now it only cranks and cranks, just like listed above.

On both cases, I've taken off the fuel line from the carb and its spitting fuel. Also, pulled spark plug and it has spark while cranking, but there is no fuel spitting out of the spark plug hole. Carb is brand new, choke and throttle linkages are free.

Not sure if choke is adjusted correctly, how do I know where the set screw should be set?

So anyway my questions are:
1. Why does it not restart after I push the stop button? It restarted after 20 minutes of driving, but has yet to restart after sitting. Am I looking at vapor lock? Fuel is full fellas, don't go there.

2. Why can't I start it again after I let off the button too early? Did I trigger a safety switch?

All of this is started and shutdown on zero loads. Thanks :)!

[Rvpapa]

Check valve adjustment.
Art.

[Chum_lee]

Did you have the intermittent no start issue before you replaced the parts (carb, pump, filters, oil) or did this happen after you replaced the parts?

If the genny was running (at operating temperature) and you attempted a hot restart, chances are you would smell raw fuel if the choke was improperly adjusted. For that matter you would probably smell raw fuel while running (roughly) and the spark plug would be black too if the choke adjustment was the issue.

How old is your genny? How many hours on the clock?

Chum lee

[Sam_Spade]

fourthclassC wrote:
Based on my limited know how of these I suggest it is related to the electrical out put or lack of it.

Good catch and sometimes overlooked......IF the symptoms are that it starts and then stalls.

In this case, it never fires. The electronic controls shouldn't be active until it DOES run for a few seconds.

[fourthclassC]

Based on my limited know how of these I suggest it is related to the electrical out put or lack of it. The symptoms are like the known fuel pump problem of not working when hot but since you have a new one it can't be that. I believe the engine will not run unless it is putting out he correct electrical power. Can you check the brushes and slip rings on the generator side without dropping the unit.?

[ksg5000]

Might be battery issue - generators take a lot of juice to start - even a corroded ground on generator or battery bank can be enough to create similar issue. Check the batteries, clean your battery terminals, check your grounds, and tighten all your connectors. Also consider cleaning the terminals part of the wiring harness which connects your remote start to generator.

When I try and start my generator I will often start the chassis engine first - that puts both the coach/chassis batteries in parallel and helps provide more power to start the generator.

[Sam_Spade]

Do you have a "prime" function; mine is the STOP button.
I always use that if the gen has been stopped for more than a few minutes.

But it does sound like your choke might not be working right.

With mine, the few times it hasn't started right up, if it cranks for about 4 seconds without catching, I stop cranking, count to 10 and it catches immediately the next time. I don't know why.