Generator won't start

[Charlie1]

I just bought a 1998 wide body freedom RV My generator will not start unless the motor is running> Where can I start looking It runs great and the generator works fine

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Charlie1

I just bought a 1998 wide body freedom RV My generator will not start unless the motor is running> Where can I start looking It runs great and the generator works fine

Welcome to the forum Charlie1!

Your problem rings a bell. I believe there was a post of a similar problem not too long ago. I'll do a search, but no promise I'll find it.

Here is the thread I was thinking about. https://www.classbforum.com/forums/f...ing-10401.html

Unfortuntately it a Mercedes chassis and propane generator, very different from your setup.

[mkguitar]

Originally Posted by Charlie1

I just bought a 1998 wide body freedom RV My generator will not start unless the motor is running> Where can I start looking It runs great and the generator works fine

Hi Charlie, Welcome


will not "start", but cranking over?


or not cranking over?


which would point to a coach or "house" battery problem





Mike







*(not related but you should know many RV's have the fuel pick up at 1/3rd tank, to keep you from running out of gas in the boonies rby running the tank dry)

[themexicandoctor]

This used to happen to me until I became a Battery Expert - its your House Battery.

Unless you have an inside track, don't take it to an RV dealer but a Lawnmower shop or a Generator specialist IF the generator needs done repair.

Lawnmower shops are half the price usually.

[Charlie1]

Mike the generator starts up and runs all the Electrical in the back. But it won't start unless the main engine is running
Charlie

[Charlie1]

I just replaced both Batteries in the coach looking on line for an Onan dealer close to me now

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Charlie1

Mike the generator starts up and runs all the Electrical in the back. But it won't start unless the main engine is running
Charlie

I must be confused, missed something,....... What is the problem?

So start the van's engine, then generator, kill van's engine, all is happy?

Bud

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by Bud

I must be confused, missed something,....... What is the problem?

So start the van's engine, then generator, kill van's engine, all is happy?

Bud

I agree with Bud. We've heard stories here of "authorized Onan dealers" having poor success in fixing the generator, or wanting $thousands of dollars to to so or replace. If your genny runs well otherwise, you're ahead of most.

[booster]

Needing to start the engine of the van to get the generator to start can be several things, some easy, some not so easy, I think. If the batteries are good and it won't start, check the voltage on the batteries to make sure they are full charged and showing in 12.7v range. What how far they drop when trying to start the Onan. If they don't drop to 12.0 or lower you may have a resistance in the connections to the Onan, usually a single wire to the unit from the batteries, or a high resistance ground on the Onan chassis. Both are fairly common.


Starter could be getting weak, ignition module or fuel pump could be getting weaker, so they might benefit from the higher voltage of the engine running. Valves badly out of adjustment make some engines start harder, but don't know if the Onans are one of them. Our Kawasaki powered lawn tractor is one that is.



The connections are easy to clean up and may do it.



On the others, I would agree with the others, just start the van first to get the Onan going and then shut off the van. Eventually whatever is getting weak will fail and be easier to find.