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Generator will not stay running

August 28, 2020, 11:22:58 am

Just replaced the Steering wheel gearbox in which I removed the generator squirrel cage to access the gearbox. installed everything and now my generator will not stay on. I purged the radiator several times thinking that would solve it. any suggestions, the generator was working fine before this project.  2000 U320

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #1 – August 28, 2020, 11:29:46 am

When it first starts is the squirrel cage running? If not it will shut off from overheating. Check the wires in the conduit box in the fan compartment for power when the generator first starts. If no power there is a seperate circuit breaker for the fan on the control panel

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #2 – August 28, 2020, 12:41:36 pm

Thanks, The squirrel cage is running when the generator starts.

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Reply #3 – August 28, 2020, 01:08:21 pm

Have you purged it at the top housing on the generator engine?

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #4 – August 28, 2020, 01:28:51 pm

With a helper open the pet cock on the top of the radiator and slowly pour antifreeze in opening on the generator until it flows out the petcock on top of the radiator. When this happens have your helper close the pet cock. Then slowly continue to pour antifreeze until it fills up at the hole it'll probably gargle a few bubbles before you're finished to make sure that the space around the water pump is not air locked.
Do any warning/trouble lites come on when it shuts down??


Keith

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #5 – August 28, 2020, 01:56:30 pm

Keith - No Warning lights. The generator just shuts down after a few minutes. What is the Pet Cock? and where is it located?

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Reply #6 – August 28, 2020, 02:32:53 pm

Not Keith, but a petcock is a small valve.  Like Keith stated, it is on the top of the radiator.  Looks similar to this.

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #7 – August 28, 2020, 02:41:30 pm

Mine in my 2000 was doing that and after checking all the radiator stuff and pressure switches it ended up being the control board( the part that has the warning lights on it. The tech guy at Powertech was pretty helpful. The control board fixed my problem, which was the same as yours. The board is an easy change out.



Keith

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #8 – August 28, 2020, 02:47:16 pm

Your assuming it's shutting down on water level/temp,would make sure that's the case first,if it ran fine before and you did'nt
open the cooling system I don't think that's your problem,try calling power tech and talk to the tech.Does it have enough oil to build pressure and is it getting fuel?

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #9 – August 28, 2020, 02:59:10 pm

I assumed (and we all know that one) that when he removed the squirrel cage the radiator being held on by the same bolts, he removed it.

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #10 – August 28, 2020, 06:45:06 pm

Same symptoms.  Loose fan belt on engines water pump

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #11 – August 29, 2020, 10:25:59 pm

See if it stays running while the generator is pulled out a bit. I had a problem when I pushed the generator in the fuel line pressed up against something inside and cut off the fuel supply.
After I rearranged the fuel line it ran perfectly.

Why did you have to replace the steering gear box.

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Re: Generator will not stay running

Reply #12 – August 30, 2020, 10:15:10 am

The steering boxes in these older coaches are coming to the end of their life and the seals are starting to leak requiring a rebuild. Several people on the forum have had to do it

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