Onan nhe 6.5k 359 hours 1994

Question

So coming home Saturday from a month at the base of wolf creek pass.  About 150 miles from home it was starting to get slightly warm, decided to go ahead and try the genset with the front air conditioner.  It fired right up, ran smooth.  Turned on one ac, nothing else.  Cold air began coming very soon, all was good, then, the light on dash that indicates the genset is running went off, had wife feel the air vent, no air coming.  I decided to try and restart it from inside while going down the road.  Nothing appeared to happen, light stayed off indicating genset not running.  I got to a place where I could pull over, but, before I could get out to look, the light came on, the air conditioner also came on.  I looked outside at the genset and it was running along smooth.  I drove some more, the light went off, the ac went off then came back on, ran a bit then back off.  I decided enough was enough and hit the stop button for a while and kept on going a short distance to home.  When we got home we both heard a rythmic clicking.  I went to the genset, which was not running, and hit the stop button and it stopped clicking.  I hit the start button and it did nothing.  What a mess, bet I fried the starter at some point and the thing still is a mess.  What in the world is wrong?

tenbear · Answer

Ok, I'm no expert on generators, and my MH has a different brand.

The first thing that comes to mind is how full was your gas tank? Most generators require the tank to be at least 1/4 full. That's to prevent the generator from sucking the tank dry. If you were about 1/4 full it could be having a hard time getting fuel some of the time, up and down hills, etc. Once you got home the gas may be out of reach.

So fill the tank and see if it works.

daverepair · Answer

After all the discussion about generator info not being made available by the OP's I did some research. Did you know there are 14 different versions of the NHE generator. 6.5 NHE is not enough info. With Onans you need the spec letter at least. It is at the end of the second set of number on the tag. I am a generator tech and have been for 25 years. We live and die by the complete model spec and serial number. It is the only way to gt to the right info, especially with Onans.

texas · Answer

OkFirst unplug the remote wires. This will give you one less thing to worry About at this time.I have seen shorted remote wires before. They can be a real pain to check out.Next remove the cover on the control box. You will find the start solenoid. It looks like a Ford solenoid but it is not the same.One side will be to the battery. One side large post goes to the starter. I would take that wire off so you can do some test. If you have a volt meter or a 12 volt test light.Put the probe on the starter side of the solenoid. When you press start,you should have 12 volts on that side. If not check the battery side for voltage. If it is there. Check the S terminal. While holding it in start.If you have voltage but none on the starter side. You have a bad solenoid. You should hear the solenoid click.If you will go over to smokstak Onan section. Post the full model and serial number. One of my guys can send you the service manual.It has all the test you need to check things out. It is not that hard to do. Plus you may save yourself some money.Just basic hand tools is all you need. Plus a good volt meter or a test light. If you need to talk call me. 903-536-2816.Let me know what you find.

texas · Answer

tenbear does have a good point. I have gone on many service calls. For empty fuel tanks. I don't believe that is your problem. But it is good to always check your tank.Saves you a costly service call.

kpackpackkelley · Answer

eldondo wrote:So coming home Saturday from a month at the base of wolf creek pass.  About 150 miles from home it was starting to get slightly warm, decided to go ahead and try the genset with the front air conditioner.  It fired right up, ran smooth.  Turned on one ac, nothing else.  Cold air began coming very soon, all was good, then, the light on dash that indicates the genset is running went off, had wife feel the air vent, no air coming.  I decided to try and restart it from inside while going down the road.  Nothing appeared to happen, light stayed off indicating genset not running.  I got to a place where I could pull over, but, before I could get out to look, the light came on, the air conditioner also came on.  I looked outside at the genset and it was running along smooth.  I drove some more, the light went off, the ac went off then came back on, ran a bit then back off.  I decided enough was enough and hit the stop button for a while and kept on going a short distance to home.  When we got home we both heard a rythmic clicking.  I went to the genset, which was not running, and hit the stop button and it stopped clicking.  I hit the start button and it did nothing.  What a mess, bet I fried the starter at some point and the thing still is a mess.  What in the world is wrong?Don't try to start your generator with a load on it. Trying to start it with the ac turned on ain't going to work. Nothing needs to be on and when when cut the gen off no load on it and let it run for a couple of minutes. Read up in your manual

Forum Discussion

Onan nhe 6.5k 359 hours 1994

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Onan Generator 1000 hour service

150 hour Onan 4000

Generator hours

Generator hours

800 hours on an 1987 Onan genset. Rebuild engine?