Lyman713
Port Charlotte, FL
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Hi! I have a 2013 class C with an onan 4KY generator (series P). It only has about 200 hours on it. It shut down one day (actually after being on only for about an hour after Hurricane Ian) and then when starting, it turns over great, but shuts down right after releasing the start button.
When I hold the button, I get a four blinking light code.
I disconnected the inside switch with no luck.
The odd thing is that, about 2 months later, I tried starting it, and it started right up and ran (no load) for 5 minutes and I manually shut it off. I tried again a couple of weeks later, and it started right up again.
I tried last week, and back to the issue of shutting down right after releasing the start button.
It is a manual transfer, so I have a 30 amp outlet I plug my RV cord into when I want to use the generator. I checked for AC voltage at this plug and get about 20 VAC.
Any thoughts? I initially thought brushes, but having it start up in between issues seems like it might not be (and also the low hours).
The RV is a bit low on fuel (about 1/4 tank) but I would think that a low fuel situation would not fire the generator to run initially anyway. (Unless there is some sort of electronic fuel sensor on the genset that faults the control board?? - I always thought the fuel pick up was just higher in the tank).
The control board it buried under the start relay, and I haven't tried taking out P1 and looking into that yet.
Any thoughts on accessing the control board on this model? I'm trying not to have to figure out how to get the generator out of the RV and work on it while still mounted.
I don't believe there is any oil sensor (the oil is full - recently changed about 20 run hours ago), but if you believe otherwise, please let me know!!
Thanks in advance for any insights or help.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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So it doesn’t run and when it does, it doesn’t put out 120v?
Problems are likely not related.
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Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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Ok after it shuts sown the light wil blink IN A PATTERN
You can also start the pattern by tapping the stop button as I recall
What is the pattern Like 3-4-2 3-4-2 3-4-2 as an example
NOTE this translates to what the on-board computer THINKS the problem is but the computer is not all that smart.
Some things that can cause it
Low oil OR lOW OIL PRESSURE.. The sensors are offline during start
NO AC OUT Likewise. Sensor offline during start (That last can be major)
Several other issues.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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bmwbob
Mims, Florida
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Ours will do that also IF either the oil level is low or the gas tank is not nearly full.
Since becoming aware of those issues and keeping things topped off, I’ve had no problems.
Bob
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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Did you prime the generator before trying to start it.
It sometimes takes a few times to get enough fuel to start the engine.
By the way, you should always run the generator about an hour to dry out all components. There is a saying for generators: "Use it or lose it.".
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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When I had an ONAN in my previous MH, the ONAN manual said to exercise it for 2 hours once a month under 50% load.
Bobbo and Lin
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wra
Florida
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I had a similar problem. The problem was the fuel shut off solenoid on the carb. It got stuck in the shut off position. Clean or replace it and it should be good again.
Having a low RV fuel tank could be a problem too. The gen gets its gas from the RV tank. The pipe that the gen gets the fuel does not go to the bottom of the RV tank. This keeps the RV from running out of gas by the generator use. There should be enough gas left to get to a gas station.
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midnightsadie
ohio
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I,ve hears this problem before go put fuel in the rv and see if it goes away gauges are not to be trusted.
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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https://thecampingadvisor.com/onan-generator-fault-codes/
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Lyman713
Port Charlotte, FL
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Thanks for the replies. I'm saying it's not low fuel or other issues. It runs great, so long as I'm pressing the start button. (which bypasses the control board from shutting down the unit). So, I'm saying not fuel, carb, etc., as the engine side seems to run great (starts right away and I do try priming when I haven't run it that day).
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