HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Topic: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine. (Read 1216 times) previous topic - next topic

HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

August 03, 2017, 10:31:50 pm

We have a 1990 U225 with an Onan 7500. Our generator would not come on today. (we've been using it fine for the past month). We tested everything and there is power and fuel. Is there a kill switch somewhere that we don't know about? The RV wouldn't start either and all the batteries are at 12.16. Your help would be appreciated.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #1 – August 03, 2017, 10:37:51 pm

Read the voltage while you try to start it. I think you have dead batteries.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #2 – August 03, 2017, 10:44:45 pm

All batteries are reading over 12.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #3 – August 03, 2017, 10:52:27 pm

Salesman's Switch?

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #4 – August 03, 2017, 11:04:51 pm

Quote from: NancyS – August 03, 2017, 10:52:27 pm

Salesman's Switch?

May be wrong, but I don't believe the S.S. controls power to the engine.
Nubian, more details:
1) did the coach ever start?
2) what happens if try to start the generator? Nothing? Thunking noises?
3) did you test voltage while attempting to crank?

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #5 – August 03, 2017, 11:08:38 pm

If the engine won't crank the chassis battery is dead.

If the generator won't crank the house batteries are dead.

Suggestions:

1) You will need to connect to shore power and charge the house batteries and flip the boost switch to also charge the chassis battery.

Or

2) Get a jump from someone to start your engine. This will charge both chassis and house batteries.

Or

3) Connect to someone nearby with a generator and do number 1.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #6 – August 04, 2017, 12:29:24 am

you may have bad connections at the battery posts etc. 12.1 6 is not that good as that may be about 50% charge(I would like 13+) but if connections are bad shape then it will drop fast and not crank.
JohnH

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #7 – August 04, 2017, 12:36:12 am

Check ground wires first, bad ground bad results

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #8 – August 04, 2017, 01:19:10 am

As John said, your batteries are at about 50%.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #9 – August 04, 2017, 01:34:57 am

We need more info.....
Does the generator try to start? Turn over slowly or not at all? Does the start solenoid pull in on the generator?

Will the engine turn over at all? Can you hear the starter solenoid pull in or "click" "click" "click"?
With low batteries or loose connections that 12.16 V could drop drastically when a starter solenoid is engaged.

Remote trouble shooting is difficult without lots of info to go on.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #10 – August 04, 2017, 08:47:40 am

No need to do anything until you have batteries that are 12.6 which is fully charged. 12.1V is dead, dead, dead.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #11 – August 04, 2017, 10:18:17 am

here is an idea of state of charge
JohnH

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #12 – August 04, 2017, 10:37:03 am

Jump the coach from your toad. Connect for about 10 to 15 minutes at a fast idle and then start it. You need to find the reason your battery voltage is down. Yes, check the switch by the entry door.

This is the exact reason I installed digital voltmeters on the dash. I can see problems coming and not have to wait until more drastic action is needed.

You didn't leave the boost switch on for an extended period did you?

Pierce

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #13 – August 04, 2017, 01:35:50 pm

I inspected a coach a while ago, which was hooked-up to shore power. Would not start. Tried the "boost", nada. Got the techs down, ALL NEW BATTERIES!

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #14 – August 04, 2017, 02:52:27 pm

Weird that they would all (both sets) DIE at the same time. Think I'd wanna know why.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #15 – August 04, 2017, 03:36:33 pm

Quote from: toyman – August 04, 2017, 02:52:27 pm

Weird that they would all (both sets) DIE at the same time. Think I'd wanna know why.

Could be weird, but we don't know one important fact-- how long had the coach sat be between "it all worked" and now.

Batteries do self discharge, there are parasitic loads, etc.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #16 – August 04, 2017, 03:54:02 pm

Were you parked with the BOOST switch ON?? If so the good batteries will drain down via the bad ones.
As has already been said, get a jump to the engine batteries, and once running it will charge the rest.
Speedbird 1.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #17 – August 05, 2017, 08:40:45 am

No Update on the Nubian Nomads?

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #18 – August 05, 2017, 09:23:37 am

Maybe they are using the cellphones and computers to charge the motorhome batteries through a USB and the cigarette lighters.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #19 – August 06, 2017, 11:31:46 am

Quote from: stump – August 05, 2017, 08:40:45 am

No Update on the Nubian Nomads?

Earth to Nubian Nomads... Earth to Nubian Nomads...

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #20 – August 10, 2017, 03:35:08 pm

John, thank you very much for posting that chart. It highly useful.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #21 – August 10, 2017, 09:16:35 pm

One way of checking batteries when you don't have a volt meter is to turn on the headlights and start the engine. If the lights go out
and the engine is not turning over the batteries are dead.

Re: HELP! Generator will not start and neither will engine.

Reply #22 – August 10, 2017, 11:07:49 pm

Quote from: oldguy – August 10, 2017, 09:16:35 pm

One way of checking batteries when you don't have a volt meter is to turn on the headlights and start the engine. If the lights go out
and the engine is not turning over the batteries are dead.

Good for checking the chassis battery. But, the generator should be wired to the house battery unless someone changed it.

Also, I would question that a U225 has a 7.5 KW Onan. Suspect propane 6.5/6.3 KW.

We really need to hear from the OP!

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