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Topic: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel (Read 757 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

We have a 99 U320 and a week ago I started the generator and ran it about 1/2 hour and then took it to get the exhaust checked for registration renewal here in AZ....    While I was waiting in line the generator quit and red light came on the dash....  I figured it just was overheating.... I took it back to  the place where we have it stored under cover and didn't go  back to it until today and of course the red dash light was still on.... but when I went to check the secondary generator panel there were no lights on.... so I pressed both of the breaker reset buttons on the front of the generator and the dash red light was still on.... and of course the generator didn't start so I went to the 2 switches near the secondary panel and fiddled around switching them on and off which should also start it... but no luck....

So... I'm kind of lost trying things that have given me information in the past... and sometimes worked restarting it....

So I'l looking for some additional diagnostics information or help.

Thanks, Orren Brownson.. Sun City AZ
99 U320 40ft DGFE

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #1 –
I don't know what the red light on the dash tells you, except "the generator is not running".  I would expect you to find some fault indication on the generator itself, but you say that is not the case.  Since it ran for 1/2 hour before it quit, it probably has sufficient fuel supply, and sufficient oil in the crankcase.  Did you check the fan belt to see if it feels properly tensioned?  If it shuts down from overheating, then I would think it should start again after it cools down.  Beats me...

Doing a quick Forum search for "powertech", I keep seeing "...Jeff at Power Tech" mentioned as the go-to answer guy.

If you don't get a helpful reply here, you can try calling the expert.  Phone numbers below are from a recent thread on the Forum:

"Called Power Tech - Leesburg last week about a small repair on my generator.  Service guy I talked to was Jeff and he apparently does mobile service on generators on the side.  His phone number is 352-267-0822.  At Power Tech number is 352-365-2777."

Power Tech Mobile Power Generators

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #2 –
Usually when my red light is on I have to reset the gen.. turn the on/off switch off and back on and then flip the breakers off on.. seems to work on mine... all has to be done from the outside.. means I have to pull over .. wish they made a way for it to be done inside the coach.. this happened when I had a filter problem.

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #3 –
Orren, how much fuel in your tanks?
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the ideas... I have an almost full fuel tank.... and I have flipped the on/off switches..... but I did NOT flip the breaker switch... which I WILL try when I go back over there.... which might be in a couple of days... Thanks again, Orren B
99 U320 40ft DGFE

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #5 –
Do you have original fuel lines?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #6 –
I had a similar issue last year and after lots of troubleshooting found out the problem was caused by broken wires inside the control box on top of the gen. head.  Evidently the vibrations and movement from the generator caused some of the wires to either be loose or break.  My generator would shut down randomly and I'd have to open compartment and reset switch on gen. panel.  Sometimes it would start as soon as I reset the switch and the inside switches would not do anything.  After redoing the wires going to the gen. controller it has been working fine.
Here is my post detailing my issue and fix:  Generator not running

So check the wires inside the control box closely for loose connections, etc.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #7 –
Quote from: DavidS –
Usually when my red light is on I have to reset the gen.. turn the on/off switch off and back on and then flip the breakers off on.. seems to work on mine... all has to be done from the outside.. means I have to pull over .. wish they made a way for it to be done inside the coach.. this happened when I had a filter problem.

Had my generator serviced and after I started it the generator ran like a champ for about 2 minutes and then died with the red light on the dash but no indicators on the genset panel in the generator bay.  JT at FOT said it sounds like a fuel problem and to go outside and turn the on/off switch to off and then on as David said above.  The red light should go out after you toggle the switch to off and then back on.  It took about 4 iterations of running and stalling out until the air got out of my fuel lines and then no problem. 

Your problem sounds like maybe one of your fuel filter may have gotten clogged up if it ran fine for about 30 minutes before shutting down.  On my coach there are two fuel filters, a primary and secondary.  One has a clear plastic piece on the bottom so you can see the fuel and drain the water and the other is next to the generator that is your typical enclosed filter.  Or as Forrest has suggested it may be a wiring issue.

Let us know when you finally figure it out!

Good Luck,
Oscar
Oscar & Janet Valent
2023 Coach House 261XLQD
Former 2004 U320 3820 PBBS
Former 2007 Newell Coach #815
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #8 –
I just replaced a weak fuel pump on my PT 10K. It would run for a little while and quit, red light on dash, no faults on panel. The old pump was noticeably loud.
Dave & Danette
2005 Foretravel U270, 3620 PBLW, Build #6331
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2017 Can-Am Maverick X3 RR
2016 Polaris Turbo RZR
Motorcade #17839

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #9 –
Thanks for all the good suggestions..... I went over to it today and the breaker switch was on but I flipped it off and on a few times... no luck.... the I checked the oil which was OK and filled the water..... and again flipped the switches near the secondary panel... and pressed the push buttons on the front of the generator.... still no luck..

So it looks like it must be either a fuel problem or a wire problem in the control box as many of you suggested.... so I'm calling my friend at Issco Generators here in the Phoenix area....  He came out about a year ago and replaced the electrical end of the generator last year...  and I have great confidence in his work.... So I'll see if I can get on his schedule..

Thanks again for all your great ideas... Orren B
99 U320 40ft DGFE

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #10 –
Your fuel pump should be in the front of generator just like mine.  When you go hit start over by the driver side compartment go to the front and feel your pump and see if you can feel it working.  You can also disconnect the wires from the pump and connect it directly to a 12 volt source and disconnect the line on the engine side of the pump and see if you have fuel coming out. You can even use a drill battery. I just had to change my pump for the same reason. Bought it at Advance Auto.  Also comes with a pre-filter.
 Works great!
John M

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/mr-gasket-electric-diesel-fuel-transfer-pump-12d/6340003-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=6340003-P&adtype=pla_with_promotion&product_channel=online&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo7foBRD8ARIsAHTy2wl11g_AuY7RIqtRF3fbVmbRAnuHUD-oZhc0eZt6fw1wGmuJzkgsQdUaAvKHEALw_wcB
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."
 

Re: Generator red light on dash and no supporting lights on the gen panel

Reply #11 –
Dbl check both filters. When you hit the start switch you should hear the glow plugs or fuel pump doing its pre start. If your not getting any noise I'd look into the pump.. just to be clear we are getting crank but no start?