2008 Seneca generator won’t start

[Dizzyj]

I fired up my generator two days ago getting the rv ready for a trip. Tried to fire it up again today it did it’s normal clicking then stopped. Now it won’t even click. It’s like the electric start is nit getting voltage. I checked the switch on the generator itself and tried to start from the button on the generator but no go. Also. No light on the button when I press it. Is there a fuse or breaker somewhere?

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Dizzyj

I fired up my generator two days ago getting the rv ready for a trip. Tried to fire it up again today it did it’s normal clicking then stopped. Now it won’t even click. It’s like the electric start is nit getting voltage. I checked the switch on the generator itself and tried to start from the button on the generator but no go. Also. No light on the button when I press it. Is there a fuse or breaker somewhere?

Check the ground connection on the frame.

Do you have 12 v power to the rest of the coach? Sounds like a dead battery. Try starting it while someone holds the emergency start button in the cab.

[Dizzyj]

Coach has 12v. Lights come on. Water pump etc. I’ll check the grounds. The electric start should be powered by the 2 batteries in the back of the rv right?

[Camper_bob]

Yes, your generator uses the coach batteries to start. Grumpy's suggestion to use the "emergency start" button ties the chassis battery into the loop.

I agree with Grumpy, it's acting like a dead battery, so I would check those connections.

There should be a breaker on the generator, but the motor will usually still turn over and run with the breaker tripped; it just won't put out voltage.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Dizzyj

Coach has 12v. Lights come on. Water pump etc. I’ll check the grounds. The electric start should be powered by the 2 batteries in the back of the rv right?

Yes. Unless the batteries are connected wrong and only one is powering the house and the other only has the geny connected to it. If that is the case one would not be charging either.

[Dizzyj]

No go with holding the button in the cab. Where do the house batteries connect to the generator? I’d like to put a volt meter on it

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Dizzyj

No go with holding the button in the cab. Where do the house batteries connect to the generator? I’d like to put a volt meter on it

On the right side of the generator as you're looking at it. If I remember correctly there are two studs where the cables connect.

[Dizzyj]

Ok i saw those but wasn’t sure if that was draw from the battery or what the generator outputs once running. Thanks for all y’all’s help. Luckily I have a an extension cord run from a buddies rv tonight

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Dizzyj

Ok i saw those but wasn’t sure if that was draw from the battery or what the generator outputs once running. Thanks for all y’all’s help. Luckily I have a an extension cord run from a buddies rv tonight

Geny output is in BX metal sheath attached to a junction box.

[Dizzyj]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Geny output is in BX metal sheath attached to a junction box.

Measure 13.9 at the gen after charging the batteries. Also checked the two fuses behind the panel on the generator itself. They are fine

[Grumpy]

There is a fuse behind the access plate right above the start switch, check to see if that has blown.

[Dizzyj]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

There is a fuse behind the access plate right above the start switch, check to see if that has blown.

Ya I checked that. There are two of them. They are both good. Should there be voltage on either? I didn’t check that

[Grumpy]

One one at least, I would call an Cummins/Onan shop tomorrow.

[JimD]

You should be measuring the voltage right at the generator. If you can see the generator's starter solenoid, that is where you want to measure. You can jumper across the heavy stud connections on the solenoid to see if the generator kicks over.

For the generator to kick over, you only need a solid 12 volts, which includes a good ground. The loss of either will prevent starting. If there is a solid 12 volts at the generator the only thing left is the starter solenoid trigger signal. If that is there and the solid 12 volts with ground is there, and the thing cranks over when the solenoid is jumpered, the solenoid is bad.