Technician
Certified on Onan and Generac generators
Thanks Hank. My question was in haste. I was looking for a quick fix for a puzzling situation that I was in yesterday when I was trying to get my Onon generator started. It's on a 1988 Winnebago Cheiftan motor home. Bought it used a year ago and am in the process of getting everything in working order. Bought 2 new batteries for the system and went to see if the generator worked. At that point the shore line was connected. I tried to start it by using both the dash board and remote rocker switches. When a switch is depressed it sounds like the fuel pump is working and a sound is heard as if the selenoid is being made contact. But no noise indicating the starter has power going to it. My manuals do not show the location of the starter and how to gain acess to it to check the cable connection for cleanliness. Before swinging the generator to the down position to gain access to the backside I decided to Google and see if I could find a diagram/instructions how to access the starter. One of the google sites was a discussion on an engine not starting. Several of the comments indicated that it may be necessary to have the shore line disconected and plugged into the generators outlet box. Another google site was this one. So I asked the question and here I am. You've anwered my question satisfactorily and I thank you for that. It's a new day and I'll be headed to a local RV dealer to see if they can give me any insight on the problem. I love doing things the DIY way. Learn as I go Thanks for your help Hank.
My buddy did put an allen wrench in the end bell and was able to turn it over without a problem. If I drop/pivot the engine down as instructed by using a floor jack under it, will I be able to gain access to the starter and clean the connecting cable? Yes, I'm in need of a copy of the manual.
Your new info on the difficulty gaining access to the bolts is not good news I'm hoping it's just corroded terminal connection. The shore connection thing seemed to be a "safety" interlock theory by those on the site mentioned.
I can not post the manual on this site, the file is too large for Just Answer's system. To be able to pass on larger files, I pay a subscription to a third party file transfer site. You will have to download the manual. Click here.
1. Swing the set down with a floor jack, as you have already figured out.
2. Use a 3/8" ratchet with a 6" extension and a 9/16" socket to reach the 2 starter bolts.
3. You will need a 7/16" wrench to disconnect the starter cable at the starter.
NOTE: The problem you will have will be the 2 nuts on the back side of the starter bolts. I highly suggest you review the entire section of the manual that covers starter removal and installation before you even get your tools out. I also recommend you use a small inspection mirror to see the location of these 2 nuts before you remove them. They can be H--- to put back in if they fall out. The starter itself attaches to the flywheel cover. The bolts go through the starter, then the fly wheel cover. In the back side of the flywheel cover are 2 small recesses, the exact size and shape of the nuts. If the nuts fall out of these recesses, they have to be perfectly lined up and exactly straight to get them back in. I have found the easiest way to prevent them from falling out is to put a finger on them and pull out on the starter bolt while removing it. When reinstalling the starter bolts, hold your finger over the nut to prevent it from falling out. 8 times out of 10 when I drop one of the nuts, it invariably makes it's was UNDER the engine. I usually just go get a different nut instead of trying to dig it out.
If you have any more questions, please let me know.
Hank
No problem.
Remember to check on that ground cable. I have had many, many, many of them. The rusted bolt may allow enough amperage return to let the fuel pump and solenoid activate, but can not handle the amperage of a starter. Simply makeing up an 18" long cable out of #6 wire sure can work wonders.
The link I sent should be a direct link to the download. When you clicked on it, hte download should have automatically started. I'll send it again, just in case something got corrupted. Click here.
You can click on the Free User button.
That is your call, if you feel I deserve it.
I always appreciate it.
Anytime you need help, just ask, and we will Just Answer.
Good luck with it.
Yes, you deserve it, you went the extra mile. Have a great day and enjoy the coming weekend.
Dan Y.