Generator Problem

[dede]

My generator won't turn over. It makes a quiet clicking sound, but won't start. Wondering if there is a "reset" to clear any possible error code. I tried priming on the unit and trying to start, then tried resetting the breaker switch, but neither worked. Do I really HAVE to take it in? any ideas on things to try?
Dede

[Popfla]

Is the house battery weak or turned to "store" ? Have you tried starting the engine then tried the generator? The fact that you're getting a click would seem to indicate it's not getting sufficient voltage to crank the generator's motor.

BTW - WELCOME to the Forum.

[Mustang46555]

A clicking sound and no turnover on most any starter motor indicates low battery. As POP suggested try starting the coach and see if it will turn over after a few minutes or if possible plug into shore power and try it. In rare occasions clicking can indicate a bad starter or solenoid.

[dede]

Popfla,
I had the house turned to USE, I tried with the engine running and without. It just makes a faint sound, almost a humming... I also checked battery level and it was full.....

[Mustang46555]

How long since it ran last and how well did it start?

[Bob Denman]

How long has it been; since you last ran the generator?
Could the starter have "frozen-up"?

[Mustang46555]

My thoughts too Bob. If you can get at the starter, have someone hold the start button while you tap the starter with a small hammer. TAP, not swing for the fence. I've seen this trick free many bound up starters.

[Bob Denman]

I have to admit that I am still kind of betting on a low battery... regardless of what the tests on it have said.

[Mustang46555]

I have to admit that I am still kind of betting on a low battery... regardless of what the tests on it have said.

Fully agree

[dede]

Thanks, I also think it might be "frozen" it makes a very strange hmming noise. I start the generator and run it for 20 minutes about every month. I REALLY used it in May....
Dee

If I hook it up to shore power do I then try it? If that works would it just be a matter of leaving it on shore power for a certain amount of time?

Sorry, this was my second trip (alone) and I feeling pretty stupid.

[dede]

Okay, new addition to the facts It did start for a minute once time and then it shut off and began doing what I reported.

[Sweetbriar]

Try this setup. Start with all the battery switches (house and chassis) in the "Use" mode. Start the coach engine but wait a few minutes then press and hold the "Aux Start" switch. Bring the engine RPM up slightly to get few extra volts out of the alternator but wait a few minutes. While still holding the Aux Start switch close try starting the generator.

The Aux Start will tie both the house and the chassis batteries together and works in both directions for either a low chassis battery or house battery. Waiting a few minutes while holding the switch will push some energy into the house batteries if they are the problem.

If your generator still won't at least turn over (engine spin) and only clicks as before you may have a bad starter, a bad starter solenoid, a bad power cable from the batteries or something as simple as loose or corroded ground points for the generator, battery bank or even the battery terminals. You can have good volts on the coach status panel but marginal grounds and cable connections will not allow for full power to pass which is what you need to turn the generator engine over.

Good luck and keep posting what you find or if there are any changes. And don't worry, together we'll get this fixed and you have a better idea how the different stuff works together so next time someone posts about a generator no start problem it will be your turn to offer suggestions.

[dede]

Sweet Briar,
Thanks so much, you all are very encouraging and I appreciate that!
Dede

[wrapped]

If you can get to the battery terminals on the generator starter put jumpers from them to known strong battery or your car while running,this will rule out low battery,poor connections etc.

[dede]

Thanks for your rcommendation, I don't know where those would be. I have a warranty (hoping its worth something) and will try that, nothing else has work as of yet.
Dede

[Lt Keefer]

I had a similar problem on my last coach. Turned out that a mud dauber nest was lodged in the cooling blades of the generator. Removed nest and every thing was okay.

[dede]

Lt Keefer,
Did your generator make a humming noise? Mine doesn't really click (like a dead starter, it hums).

[Lt Keefer]

Originally Posted by dede

Lt Keefer,
Did your generator make a humming noise? Mine doesn't really click (like a dead starter, it hums).

Yes, but you couldn't hear it in the coach. When hitting the start button on the generator all you could hear was the hum of the starter motor trying to turn. Mine was a Microlite 4000 and if you took the cover off and looked with a light you could see the blades of the cooling fan. If I remember, this was on the left side of the genset. That's where I found the old mud dauber nest.

[Lt Keefer]

There is a drawing of the genset without the covers on page 107 of the old manual. Try this link, https://www.manualslib.com/manual/12...age=107#manual You can see the fan blades on the left end of the machine.

Not saying this is what's wrong with yours, but it is free to check.

[dede]

Thanks will check that tomorrow.
Dede