Generator won't start

[Bduck100]

Cummins onan 4000 RV qc won't start. 200hrs, service up to date.
Was running great yesterday.
Has full chasis gas tank.
Tried priming several times without results.
No indicator lights blinking.
On a 2018 Jayco Greyhawk 29w.
BD

[WinnieView]

What is the charge level of the coach batteries? Is there a Coach switch and is it ON?

[Bduck100]

Batteries fully charged. Main house switch is on. Not aware of another switch.

[eliy2]

What do you know, we just had the same problem with our 2018 generator. We are not new to RVing, so using our generator for the first time came with some issues. We were getting up and down idleing. We took it in for warranty work and they said not covered because it was a maintenance issue. They wanted to charge us $500 for a new carberator. My husband just cleaned it all out, put in a new fuel filter. It works great now. But now we know to start it every month and the carb bowl. It prevents the varnishing of the gas. We only have 200 hours on it.

[Bduck100]

I will check filter tomorrow. Has been running perfectly until this no start problem. Either not getting gas or not getting spark. Turns over normally just no ignition.

[Bduck100]

Just left Cummins Onan in Phoenix. Amazing positive experience. Magneto was bad. Diagnosed and fixed in about 4 hours. Had spots to hook up for the night. All's good now. Thanks for all the help.
BD

[Berjr]

fuel level ? generator stops at 1/4 tank I know easy answer but you never know

[Bduck100]

Originally Posted by Berjr

fuel level ? generator stops at 1/4 tank I know easy answer but you never know

Thanks, had a half tank so plenty of gas. Turned out to be a a bad magneto. Quick fix and all good now.

[Click_here]

Originally Posted by Berjr

fuel level ? generator stops at 1/4 tank I know easy answer but you never know

I cannot get my generator to start now, unless I am either plugged into my 30amp outlet at home or if I have the engine running. When you push the start button (after holding down stop) it sort of clicks. But if I am out parked somewhere else and need the AC, I have to start the engine before the generator will turn over. then I turn off the engine and I seem to be OK, even when I was below a 1/4 tank of gas.

Going to change the oil this weekend and was hoping for the collected knowledge of this board for some clues. Yes, the battery shows 4 lights when I check.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Click_here

Yes, the battery shows 4 lights when I check.

That is not a good indicator, you could still have a weak battery which is what it sound like.

[Northwest Bob]

My generator gradually got harder and harder to start and run. Finally had to replace the fuel pump and the problem was solved.

[Don H]

what business and address in phoenix did you go for your repair? thanks

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by Click_here

1. plugged into my 30amp outlet at home or if I have the engine running.

2. When you push the start button (after holding down stop) it sort of clicks.

3. But if I am out parked somewhere else and need the AC, I have to start the engine before the generator will turn over. then I turn off the engine and I seem to be OK

4. even when I was below a 1/4 tank of gas.

5. Yes, the battery shows 4 lights when I check.

What Grumpy said.
I'd suspect a bad/dead Coach battery.

On #4 - the gas line to the generator isn't exactly at 1/4. Mine'll still run when the gauge shows 1/4 or a bit less too.

#5 - those things aren't good indicators of battery capability. You could still have a bad cell.

[cabinetmaker]

Originally Posted by Northwest Bob

My generator gradually got harder and harder to start and run. Finally had to replace the fuel pump and the problem was solved.

X2. Known problem. Many have suffered fuel pump failure on Onan 4000's. Definitely worth a look.

[Click_here]

Originally Posted by cabinetmaker

X2. Known problem. Many have suffered fuel pump failure on Onan 4000's. Definitely worth a look.

If it was a bad fuel pump, why would it start on shore power but not on it's own?

[ALJO]

One major problem with generators is the off season when there is a tendency to gum up the carburetor and plug a nozzle. Use fuel conditioner and drain the carburetor (if possible).

[1SGPETE]

Originally Posted by Click_here

I cannot get my generator to start now, unless I am either plugged into my 30amp outlet at home or if I have the engine running. When you push the start button (after holding down stop) it sort of clicks. But if I am out parked somewhere else and need the AC, I have to start the engine before the generator will turn over. then I turn off the engine and I seem to be OK, even when I was below a 1/4 tank of gas.

Going to change the oil this weekend and was hoping for the collected knowledge of this board for some clues. Yes, the battery shows 4 lights when I check.

Our 2005 Greyhawk had the same issue. WE changed the battery and it worked fine, We also added another battery out in Quartzite while on our last trip. Works great now.
Ours has the back up switch in the cab , left of the drivers side dash.
A side story.. I pulled into a rest area late one night and we went to bed. Got up the following morning and the battery was dead, I had left the headlights on all night. I hit the back up switch and it started right up.
Unless you get out of the truck by the cab door, the head light alarm does not sound. Even when you remove the key and crawl through the motor home , the alarm does not sound. I imagine this issue has been corrected on the newer models.

[Click_here]

I suspect we need a new battery. Tried it all again yesterday. Unplugged and the generator doesn't even turn over. Starting the engine and it fires right up. With everything unplugged and turned off, the battery light now shows E, only one red dot.

Then, later in the day, I parked the Greyhawk so I could change the generator oil and the leveling system worked fine, though I was not plugged in and the generator was not running. Not sure how...

Any suggestions on a replacement battery?

Hard to believe it only last 18 months, while almost constantly plugged in when parked. And yes added distilled water recently though it didn't seem to need any.