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Generator not running

Yahoo Message Number: 78665
I have a proplem with the generator not running. It starts for about a minute, than shuts down. I had service a few weeks ago. Oil & filters.
Fuel filled, Oil $ water OK. Today on the monitor panel it said error.
Than on the generator the light blinks 3 times saying it needs service. only have 850 hrs on it. Dealer says it needs an inventor in the Gen.
Its an Owen 8000. Any ideas?
2002 Intrigue #11428
Bruce

Re: Generator not running

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78666
Bruce,

You need to retrieve the secondary service code. The "3" is only the primary code. If you check your owner's manual for your generator it will explain how to retrieve the code, and it lists what the codes are. If your dealer has retrieved the whole code, then it may need an inverter. However, with the engine cold, make sure the coolant level is all the way to the neck of the radiator, not just visually checking the overflow bottle. You could have a defective temperature sensor or low oil pressre sensor. It could also be a failing fuel pump. If after running for a minute, the engine cranks for awhile before restarting I would blame the fuel pump or a bad fuel filter. You of course have better than a quarter tank of fuel??

Fred '01 Magna #5983- Had same issue- was low coolant in radiator

Re: Generator not running

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78682
The first time mine did that it was a rotten fuel line, $1.25 for the rubber hose $400 labor to R & R the fuel tank to get to the hose.
The second time, I had just serviced the Gen and did not properly fill the coolant. After a call to Cummins they guided me to the proper coolant fill and all was well.

Bob Wexler
SOB

Re: Generator not running

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78684
Bruce

A broken fan belt will also result in this condition. The error code indicated overheating but in fact was the belt. You do need the full error code. Manual does say to replace fan belt at 1000 hours and you are approaching that regardless of the error code results.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Generator not running

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78685
Mine did that once and I finally remembered that I had it programmed to automatically start and stop to charge the batteries. Once the batteries were charged, the gen would shut down. When I realized what was happening, I reprogrammed it and all was well. Also, when was the last time changed your fuel filter was changed? Mine ran rough once and threatened to shut down and after I changed the fuel filter, all was OK.

Larry, 03 Allure 30856 w/Onan 8K gen.

Re: Generator not running

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 78692
I have had that symptom of "engine starts but does not run".
In my PowerTech manual, there is a flow chart that systematically guides one through the testing of causes and to the final solution.

Perhaps your Onan manual provides a similar flow chart.
In my case, the engine operation was fine. The generation part was not and a voltage regulator had to be replaced before all was well. The part was around $100, the labor was $200. (I guess the generator needs to see AC voltage generation or it will shut down.)
If I had used the diagrams in the manual and the flow chart I could have saved $200, but I never read that far in my manual.

Dean

95 Magna 5280

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