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Onan 5500 gen set will start but not stay running...........shows code 14 ?
Optional Information: Make: Onan Model: 5.5 HGJAB Already Tried: Checked battery voltage, fuel pump, ground connection, all wiring connections, oil level and oil pressure shutdown switch.As long as you hold the start switch in the start position, the unit will run . Shows a code 14.
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Hello!Thank you for choosing Just Answer for the solution to your problem.My name is XXXXX XXXXX X am going to assist you with this.What is the full model number of the genset?Does it run on gasoline or LP?.
5.5 HGJAB 1038C. Runs on gas
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Now with that being said, let’s find and fix your problem.
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As gas gets old, it turns to varnish and clogs up the passageways inside the carburetor, not allowing enough gas to get to the engine.
This condition is cumulative. Every time gas sits, the varnish builds up just a little more, like coats of paint, until eventually gas can not flow. It will not happen overnight, but the symptoms can show up all of a sudden, even while simply stopping to refill with gas.
The use of fuel additives, such as Sta-Bil or Sea Foam will not stop this process from happening. They will greatly slow it down, but the gas will still go bad.
When this happens, either the engine simply will not start, or it will not run without the choke on (this reduces the amount of air getting pulled into the engine, changing the fuel/air mixture), or it will run but surges.
Another issue that varnish in the carb can cause is that the varnish may not allow the float needle to seal properly against the seat, causing the flow of gas to not shut off when the bowl is full. The result will be gas overflowing the carb and running into the cylinder, and possibly out the air intake. If the gas gets into the cylinder, it will seep past the rings and down into the crankcase. This will be evidenced by your oil level being over-full and/or the oil smelling like gas.
If this is the case, you will need to change the oil and filter, if it has a filter.
The only 2 solutions are to either replace the carburetor or give it a good, thorough cleaning.
When removing the carb, make sure to take a good picture, or make a good drawing of where all springs and linkages are attached. This will make reassembly much easier.
Most people believe that cleaning a carb involves removing the bowl and wiping it out, then spraying some carb cleaner through it.
This is simply insufficient. It takes months or years for this accumulation to build up – it just can not be removed in minutes.
To properly clean the carb, you must remove it, disassemble it (making sure to remove all non-metal parts), and soak it in a commercial solvent for several hours. Soaking it overnight is even better.
Then clean all solvent off with a spray type carb cleaner, making sure to get lots of cleaner into every hole and passage there is. Pay special attention to the tiny holes in the bore of the carb, under the throttle plate for the carbs that have these holes. Use lots of cleaner. And make sure to wear safety goggles to avoid getting the over spray into your eyes. There will be over spray.
Dry the carb with low pressure compressed air.
This is an EPA compliant carburetor, and as such, is not supposed to be taken apart or adjusted.
When you have an issue with it, you are supposed to replace the entire carb.
But, sometimes it is possible to clean them. Just remember, that as an EPA compliant carb, there are no parts available for it, so if you lose or break anything, you will definitely need to get a new one.
Occasionally, even a good cleaning is not going to be sufficient, and you may end up having to replace the carb anyhow. Be prepared for this.
If for some odd reason this does not help, please let me know so I can assist you further.
Experience: Certified on Onan and Generac generators
Carb is clean was running fine one day before this problem. Unit has 400 hrs. No surging as with a lean condition, will run gine with start switch held on.
Are you positive it is a code 14 and not a code 41?Recheck the code, and pay special attention to the flash order.
Go to the genset and use the switch on the set itself. Press 'Stop' 3 times within 5 seconds. The light in the switch will start flashing. If the light flashes 3 times, pauses for 3 seconds, and flashes 3 more times, press and immediately release 'Stop' one more time.
This will put the controller into Fault Read Mode.
The light will flash (X) number of times, pause for 1 second, and flash for (X) number of times again. Count the flashes before and after the pause.
This will be the Fault Code.
Example: 2 rapid flashes, 1 second pause, 5 rapid flashes is a Fault Code 25.
There may be more than one Fault Code stored, so watch the light very carefully. If there is more than one code, it will display them all in order, and then start over again.
Be very careful not to misread a first level fault code (single digit code) as a second level fault code (double digit code).
The way to tell the difference is by the length of the pauses.
There is a 1 second pause between digits of a second level code, and a 3 second pause between codes.
For example, if it is flashing 2 times, 1 second pause, flashing 2 times, 3 second pause and repeating, then this is a second level fault code of 22.
If it is flashing 2 times, 3 second pause, flashing 2 times, 3 second pause and repeating, then this is a first level fault code of 2.
What Fault Code are you getting?
Definately a code 14. Hace checked no less than a dozen times and always at the gen set. First i get a code 3 followed by a code 14(level1 then level2)
OkThen what you need to do is to verify the frequency.Connect a frequency meter to the output leads of the genset, and press and hold the start button for 5 or 6 seconds.What is the frequency reading?.
Since i do not have a freq. Meter aval. at this time, i guess our conversation will be over. You have been somewhat helpful, but being a retired automotive tech, i do have some mech. Experience in these matters and i do believe that the past history of this unit leads me to some other problem we have not hit on. Thank you for your trouble, i will leave my feedback at a later time, XXXXX XXXXX
As I had stated, code 14 is Over Frequency.The single most common cause of this is a bad carburetor - I see this all the time.Just because it was running good yesterday, does not mean that the carb is not having a problem.Good luck with it.
Removed carb, cleaned carb, removed all jets and cleaned, madeAbsolutely no difference at all. Problem has to be elsewhere.
Then you are at a point where you must get a frequency meter connected to the set.We have to know exactly what frequency the set is running at before we can even think about an adjustment.
Thanks for the help, I was hoping for a more helpful and beneficial answer,however I know how computer controlled devices can create troubleshooting hardships so I'm not blaming you for your answer. It was helpful but didn't totally solve my problem.
Sorry, but sometimes you just have to have the proper tools..
, I have since checked frequency and voltage output, ( both within factory specs by the way) and with a little further delving on my own have determined that the genset brush set is at fault. Upon removal (a simple 5 minute task) I find that one brush is 99.9% worn out, and of course I dressed the slip rings before replacing the brushes. Now, after all this unnecessary work the unit performs as it should. It is my conclusion in this matter that a code 14 does not always mean what the book says and there may by other less complicated ways to solve the problem. Had I known this durin my 3 week vacation without the use of my genset, I would have surely had found and repaired the problem sooner, therefore I am not going to give you the best rating as I ( the consumer) have found and repaired my own problem). I hope you understand how important it is to give an answer that is a little mor geared to the average Joe and maybe a little faster on the response time as to really getting to the actual problem. You were of some help (reminding me to check the basics) but since the unit "did" work fine one day before, should not have indicated that I remove the carb and disassemlle it for cleaneng because the " #1 cause for a code 14" is the carb causing a lean condition and resulting in the engine running too fast.
I hate to burst your bubble, but bad brushes have nothing to do with frequency.Frequency is only controlled by engine speed. The faster the engine, the higher the frequency.And the biggest reason for a code 14 on this set IS due to a bad carburetor. I see it all the time.The brushes WILL set a code 41, which you were adamant that you were not getting..
, Correct, no code 41................ So, after all this and only replacing the brush set, ( except for cleaning the carb to no avail) why is this genset operating properly and at the correct frequency/voltage output? I think that the onboard diagnostic system threw a wrong code!
A wrong code - I certainly would not rule that out. I have seen some VERY strange things happen.Sometimes things happen that have no explanation.I've got 2 sets in my shop right now that the customers swear would not even crank - I even verified one of them when he brought it in.But the very next day, it started right up - and I did not even touch the set. In subsequent testing over the last few days, neither of them have failed to start.The brushes will affect voltage - definitely. But as I stated, they have nothing to do with frequency. Frequency is merely how fast the electricity is flowing - which is only affected by engine speed..