trouble with on board onan

Had issues with mine due to the propane cord was kinked in the propane closet. I would try spraying it LIGHTLY with starter fluid to see if it kicks over then you can go from there. It isn't to bad to drop them if you need to, just read up on how its done. Take the cover off the air filter but leave the filter on and try a quick spray to see if it does anything. If it does then you have a fuel issue.

I have a 2500 Onan in my 1998 Lance. I've run across a couple problems starting. One is not a good charge on the battery. It will turn over the generator but the spark is insufficient to ignite and run. I've done that a couple times. 2nd is running out of propane. Takes quite a while to get propane to the generator.

I try to run it every month to 6 weeks.

Had the same problem. A wasp had built a nest in the propane vent hose that comes off the carburetor. They are attracted to the smell of propane. Cleaned out the hose and it started right up. I put a screen over the end of the vent hose and no more problems.

I had a similar problem with my Generac that's in my 2002 Lance. It turned out that the diaphragm in the vaporizer was stuck. Opened up the lp vaporizer cleaned the diaphragm and no problems since.

mkasner wrote:
There is a little retention spring on the arm that keeps the throttle from shutting off. Had the same issue happen on mine and the Onan tech just moved the spring from the back hole to the front hole. Yes I know pictures, ill have to go digging

Yes. Check this. Also, remove the wires to the low pressure oil switch and jumper (short) them to each other. It's quite common on many types of generators for the low oil switch to fail.

And, there is mechanical linkage on the carburator that can "stick" but still allow it to fire and turn over once or twice. My bet would be on the low oil pressure switch failure.

We had a 4000 in our Bounder and it was a delight, start and run and run and run. Forget how many hours, a lot.

The Winnie is a 5500, had 550 hours on it and quit, I spent $2300 to get it fixed. The armature bearings were bad and a tune up etc. Ran about 4 hours and quit. Turns out the armature bearing was pressed on too far and brush on one slip ring got onto the phenolic slip ring assemble and lost power to the sensor and shut down.

Brand new armature from Onan, defective, maybe it's the design, it's a Code A generator, that means it is the first year of production, or maybe it was just QA at the factory.

Hope to get it back tomorrow but most likely next week.

The Champion 2000 runs great. Too bad it won't run the residential appliances our rig came with.

gitpicker2009 wrote:
Jimh425

It cranks, but no start. I've checked the propane, tanks are half full and open, stove works. Just no startup.

Pull the spark plug wire off the plug and use a second plug with the threads grounded against the the generator frame. Cranking the starter at the generator should produce spark. If it does not you have ignition problems. If it does, it is fuel delivery or a bad spark plug which you now to access and replace.

Since this generator runs on propane, it will not gum up and tarnish like those running on ethanol mixed gasoline. I would check the fuel solenoid for power when trying to crank the engine before digging any deeper into the fuel system.

Sorry about the link. You may have to register for free on the site to access the truck camper section. Paid memberships get access to other content - You can decide whether it has any value. This is an owner run Northwood Mfg. site I visited when I had my Arctic Fox 811.

Hey Bedlam, thanks for the link, but it says I'm not authorized to view that page.

Jimh425

It cranks, but no start. I've checked the propane, tanks are half full and open, stove works. Just no startup.