Onan Generator Problem

[RVHopeful]

All,
My RV is sitting in the drive way since I got home from a trip on Sunday 10/25. Plugged into shore power. Went out tonight to close a slide that was left open before a rain storm and I noticed the Generator light on the control panel was on and I could hear a faint clicking. When out to the Gen, light on the switch is flashing and I can her clicking. I was not attempting to start the generator it just started making this noise. It will not give me an error code and If I hit start at the control panel or directly at the Gen nothing happens. I tried disconnecting the RV from Shore power and turning off the house batteries and no change. I tried starting the engine and running breifly no change. I have seen other articles on the forums with similar stories but no resolution. Anyone have an idea?

Thanks,
Larry

[HarryS]

The battery disconnect normally doesn't keep you from starting the generator. you may have an issue with the generator controller.

[16ACE27]

Do you have AGS? That sounds like the issue.

In the meantime trip the 100 amp DC breaker near your house batteries.

[TurnerFam]

there have been stories of 'phantom' generator starting issues, even without any AGS auto start in play... generally found to be due to moisture at the starter, or similar conditions... similar to a 'short', I suppose, making the generator think it's trying to be started, or at least the 'starter' part...similar to the clicking of a propane ignitor, without any propane.

[RVHopeful]

16ACE27 Nope no AGS, no 100amp breaker either. I tried flipping the main 30amp breaker but that didn't do anything.

TurnerFam does anyone know a solution. Called my dealer and they are telling me 2+ months to get an appointment... Absurd

[OldWEB]

So is the clicking still happening? If you disconnected the house battery and the shore cable, there should be no power for it to 'click'.
Q1. Did it rain before you found this issue, that is did any part of the generator get wet?

Q2. Were you able to find the source of the 'clicks'? I can only think of the Onan starter relay, the electric fuel pump or the fuel cut-off solenoid... but may be others.
Q3. what model is this unit? None given so I ass.u.me it is the Microquiet 4000 KY

[RVHopeful]

Old WEb see below:

Originally Posted by OldWEB

So is the clicking still happening? If you disconnected the house battery and the shore cable, there should be no power for it to 'click'.


Q1. Did it rain before you found this issue, that is did any part of the generator get wet?

Q2. Were you able to find the source of the 'clicks'? I can only think of the Onan starter relay, the electric fuel pump or the fuel cut-off solenoid... but may be others.


Q3. what model is this unit? None given so I ass.u.me it is the Microquiet 4000 KY

So I went out and removed the ground cable from the house battery and the light on the control panel stayed lit but I didn't go outside to check for the click and shore power was still attached. I guess I need to do both..
Q1 I don't think so though we are getting hit with Zeta now..
Q2 It is definitely coming from the Generator in the vicinity of the starter switch.

Q3 Yes Onan 4000 4KY-26100R

I was able to get an appointment with a local Cummins Service center for next week since Camping World told me they had an Appt for January 2021

Thanks for your help

[RVHopeful]

All,
I wanted to follow up with an update; Turns out I have Cummins service center nearby and they were able to look at my ONAN 4000 Gen this week that was flashing a red light and clicking. Apparently the switch on the Generator had developed a short and according to the Mechanic acting like it was trying to perform the prime/Start cycle on its own. Put it wouldn't actually start. They tested with a switch on hand and have ordered a new one which should be in tomorrow. Mechanic said he had never personally seen this issue before. All under warranty so a happy ending( assuming I can pick up tomorrow in time for my trip this weekend.

Thanks,
Larry

[Bob Denman]

Glad to see that you found help so nearby...

,,, and that they have a frim grip on the situation!

[OldWEB]

Yes, good to hear that it will be resolved!

I thought Bob had a typo, frim grip, but I looked it up and:
frim

• Flourishing.
• adj.Flourishing; thriving; fresh; in good condition; vigorous.
• adj. Alternative form of fremd.

So I learnt a new word today!

[TOMMY8402]

I had the same issues and took it to an authorized Onan dealer and they unplugged the electrical conector behind the generator and pugged it back in and now it works perfectly. Worth a try.

[MLP]

Originally Posted by RVHopeful

Old WEb see below:

So I went out and removed the ground cable from the house battery and the light on the control panel stayed lit but I didn't go outside to check for the click and shore power was still attached. I guess I need to do both..
Q1 I don't think so though we are getting hit with Zeta now..
Q2 It is definitely coming from the Generator in the vicinity of the starter switch.

Q3 Yes Onan 4000 4KY-26100R

I was able to get an appointment with a local Cummins Service center for next week since Camping World told me they had an Appt for January 2021

Thanks for your help

OMG! Camping World for servicing. Then there are a very few that have been good, but very few. They do not have, as a whole, a good reputation for speed and quality, but a few do. To be honest a lot of dealers do not or are not responsive. I prefer independent RV repair service centers. They rely on good service for their reputation and future business. Not all manufactures will allow independent RV service centers to do the warranty work. The ones that do require prior approval.

[Jimbo56]

I’d like to ask an Onan 4000 question as I’ve searched and can’t find another thread. In my manual, and during PDI, I was told to hold the off button down until the red light (priming) comes on, for 5 seconds. Well of course it started fine. But ever since leaving dealer 2 years ago, I have to prime it for 30 seconds. It will always start. And it runs fine. If it was a 1970 Chevy I’d think the vacuum pump diaphragm was bad. Is this just normal?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

I’d like to ask an Onan 4000 question as I’ve searched and can’t find another thread. In my manual, and during PDI, I was told to hold the off button down until the red light (priming) comes on, for 5 seconds. Well of course it started fine. But ever since leaving dealer 2 years ago, I have to prime it for 30 seconds. It will always start. And it runs fine. If it was a 1970 Chevy I’d think the vacuum pump diaphragm was bad. Is this just normal?

That's normal. Priming should be for 20 to 45 seconds. 5 seconds doesn't do squat.

[OldWEB]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

I’d like to ask an Onan 4000 question as I’ve searched and can’t find another thread. In my manual, and during PDI, I was told to hold the off button down until the red light (priming) comes on, for 5 seconds. Well of course it started fine. But ever since leaving dealer 2 years ago, I have to prime it for 30 seconds. It will always start. And it runs fine. If it was a 1970 Chevy I’d think the vacuum pump diaphragm was bad. Is this just normal?

Like the old Chevy, the carb is higher than the fuel tank and depending how tight the tolerances are, how well the float valve seats or the fuel pump check valve seals, the fuel will have a tendency to seep to a lower spot (the fuel tank).

[Pete'sMH]

I prime mine for about 15-20 seconds before trying to start it. It almost never starts at that point. But after turning it over on the starter for 10-15 second I pause for a few more seconds and then it will fire right off when I try again. This is a normal, reliable, though puzzling routine for me whenever I’ve not used the generator for more than a few weeks. If I run it every two weeks it starts fine.

[Jimbo56]

Thanks all! Sounds like normal op. Enjoy the new year.