james presley
Ohio
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My Onan Emerald 4000 will not sustain ignition. It cranks fine and as long as I hold the start button it runs, has exhaust out of the tailpipe but stops immediately after the start button is released. Fuel delivery is ok (i loosened the fuel line from the filter up next to the carb and got fuel from the line while cranking. So then I tried starting fluid and it would not start. I pulled the front plug and checked to be sure there was spark and there was.I have faithfully started the generator for 1-2 hours for 15 years at 1/2 power for the sator. The only thing differant now is that while on the road I use the inside start/stop switch but this time I used the outside switch on the generator because I was at home during a 7 day power outage and it was easier than going inside. I now suspect the rocker switch on the generator is stuck in the stop position and I do not know how to troubleshoot that. Anyone got any other ideas to try? Maybe if I take the circuit board to the local Onan guy he could test the board for me. Does anyone know what the circuit board cost? I used the generator for the first 3 days of the power outage. I am on ss and don't have a lot of money to get the unit serviced.
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ThreeForFun
New Jersey
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Joined: 09/09/2008
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Stupid question but I'll ask anyway...Do you have at least a 1/4 tank of gas in your vehicle. I know my generator shuts off when you get below a 1/4 tank.
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jimnbubba
Mesa AZ
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Joined: 08/12/2006
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It could very well be your AVR , automatic voltage regulator,I had my replaced recently and it ran about $400.00 installed
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Bushey562
Norco, CA
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Joined: 10/18/2005
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You didnt mention if the oil was full, it wont run with low oil so you might want to check the oil.
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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Joined: 09/24/2007
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One other thing you might consider is if the oil pressure sensor is bad it will stop the fuel flow. That can be an easy fix. The way to check is to locate it and see if there is oil dripping from it or pooled up on the drip pan under it. If it is leaking, it needs to be replaced. That happens to many gensets as they made a lot of bad oil pressure sensors. Good luck!
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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this question has been on the forum before lots of times. If you do a search on Onan gen you will find lots of info on this
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Patty98311
Arkansas
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Joined: 09/11/2006
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Circuit boards for Onan units run about $350(bought one last summer) from Onan, can purchase replacement after market unit or Onan used(but not from Onan) for about $100. Description you gave though could be several things including stator(several hundred dollars too) so be sure before you start buying parts as Onan will not take returns(been there). If you can get them to check a board for you go for it, that would at least eliminate one item. The reason they normally shut down is there is a problem with the AC voltage being sensed at the output, so there could be any one of a number of different causes.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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There are two things in an ONAN that will stop it when you release the start switch that *I* Know of.. there may be more I do not know of
One is low oil, I assume you know that one and have checked it
The other is failure to detect AC output in the proper voltage range
This last one gives a code 32 (Low cranking speed) on some generators
Failure to detect 120vac out can be due to several things, It may be a bad connection, or a bad sensor, or a bad Voltage control board, or a bad master control board or.. bad brushes on the armature of the generator.
Alas, There really is not easy to tell
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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kd8wdave
Middletown,OH
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Joined: 06/06/2006
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I don't think its your 'rocker' switch. That is usually a 'form-C' spring return contact type switch and as such, if you can start while holding the switch, the 'stop' contact is not making. Its either oil flow switch, oil pressure, or AVR.Those are the most common issues.
cheers
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