Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Topic: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320 (Read 1011 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

August 10, 2021, 10:20:51 pm

Long story short, I had to have my generator cooling bay reworked. New fan, and new radiator. A front tire blowout can mess things up.
On my 2004 U320 this compartment is just below the driver seat. And so, we picked up the coach from the shop that did that work in June and the generator ran fine. Within a week of having the coach home, we learned we had an air leak in the bedroom slide seal. So we took the coach to a shop close to home in Mesa AZ, East Valley RV Specialists. While there we had several things addressed other than the slide seal, it was there for a month and a bunch of Foretravel bucks.
So, we just went to pick up the coach and when I went to start the generator it started and ran fine for about 15 seconds and shut itself off. When I opened the gen bay the high temp amber indicator light was illuminated. By switching the master switch off and on it clears the warning indicator, hit start again, and the same thing. Everything is cool to the touch, so not really hot.
I have an appointment to take it back to the shop next week and have them look at it, but if someone can point me in a possible direction of hopefully something simple, that would be great. I've looked at my Power Tech manual and can't find anything that seems helpful.

I'm open to suggestions and questions, thanks David

And yes we have all new tires, 5 years max for me from now on.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #1 – August 10, 2021, 10:24:26 pm

Check the connections on the 'control' box in on the left side compartment with the fan. I had that problem once, and that was the problem.
Mike

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #2 – August 10, 2021, 10:41:34 pm

Maybe the over heat sensor.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #3 – August 10, 2021, 10:54:33 pm

Quote from: oldguy – August 10, 2021, 10:41:34 pm

Maybe the over heat sensor.

Any Idea where that is located?

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #4 – August 10, 2021, 10:56:13 pm

Quote from: Yetch – August 10, 2021, 10:24:26 pm

Check the connections on the 'control' box in on the left side compartment with the fan. I had that problem once, and that was the problem.
Mike

I will have a look, hopefully I can locate and access it. Tomorrow though.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #5 – August 10, 2021, 11:09:01 pm

Sorry I never had to find it.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #6 – August 10, 2021, 11:19:13 pm

Quote from: Yetch – August 10, 2021, 10:24:26 pm

Check the connections on the 'control' box in on the left side compartment with the fan. I had that problem once, and that was the problem.
Mike

There is a box mounted on the top of the fan bay with a large capacitor in it. All connections look good, maybe the capacitor itself is the problem. Other than that I'm not seeing a control box. It's late and I don't feel like tearing into the nuts and bolts right now. I'd rather wait for tomorrow when it's really hot outside. That's an Arizona joke.....

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #7 – August 10, 2021, 11:20:08 pm

As I loosely recall, the coolant level float switch is wired into the over temp circuit. I fixed a similar problem many years ago by replacing the float assembly. This had my generator tech running in circles until I looked at the Foretravel schematics.

I posted all the details here about 12 years ago.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #8 – August 11, 2021, 09:16:37 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – August 10, 2021, 11:20:08 pm

As I loosely recall, the coolant level float switch is wired into the over temp circuit. I fixed a similar problem many years ago by replacing the float assembly. This had my generator tech running in circles until I looked at the Foretravel schematics.

I posted all the details here about 12 years ago.

I've tried to search your old post and nothing seems to go back further than 2011. My coolant reservoir seems to be quite small, would it house the level float? I'll have to try and locate the high temp switch. I have the prints that are included in the generator manual, they are Foretravel prints. I'm not really sure what I'm looking at though. If it comes down to it, I'll provide them to the service tech at EVRVS.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #9 – August 11, 2021, 09:24:29 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – August 10, 2021, 11:20:08 pm

As I loosely recall, the coolant level float switch is wired into the over temp circuit. I fixed a similar problem many years ago by replacing the float assembly. This had my generator tech running in circles until I looked at the Foretravel schematics.

I posted all the details here about 12 years ago.

This makes sense since it is only running for 15 seconds, has not run long enough to get hot. Also when the shop worked on it they might have not burped the system to get all of the air out. of the cooling system.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #10 – August 11, 2021, 04:12:02 pm

Paper clip the safety shut downs until it runs .

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #11 – August 11, 2021, 04:25:05 pm

Quote from: Protech Racing – August 11, 2021, 04:12:02 pm

Paper clip the safety shut downs until it runs .

Can you elaborate on what the safety shut down is?
I'm at work right now, but when I get home later I'm going to try a couple of things, I would like to try this one. I'm also going to try to burp the coolant. Not sure if that will work if it won't run.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #12 – August 11, 2021, 05:13:20 pm

Does the cooling fan run after you start the generator (it's in the side compartment on my coach)?

On ours, the switch (which is actually a breaker) on the generator - that allows the fan to come on - was bad, and the fan would not start, which caused the generator to cut itself off before it overheated. Solution: replace the switch (breaker).

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #13 – August 11, 2021, 07:19:10 pm

Whoa, nothing is ever this easy for me. This is a picture of my coolant reservoir. To the left is what I think is the high temp switch. at any rate when I disconnect the wires my generator runs like a top. I let it run for 15 minutes or so and then shut down. Reconnected the wires and started again, it shut down after the 15 second mark. Disconnected again and it ran no problem. If you look at the red wires in the picture you can see the blue connecters that were put there when the equipment was installed. And the fan does run.
If someone could please tell me if this is the "High Temp Switch" I will call Foretravel parts and order it. I have never had a problem with over heating, but I want all the parts in place and working.

And one more question, what is the point of the yellow valves and what position should they be in?

And thanks for all the suggestions, you all have sent me in the right direction.

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;sa=tmpattach;attach=post_tmp_1774_76f5ee85ab14f1c0c80b0b2c12edc60a;topic=42925

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #14 – August 11, 2021, 07:28:49 pm

Looks like wires going into the coolant tank. Probably a float switch. Is that tank full of coolant? If not then fill it up. If it is full maybe the float switch is bad.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #15 – August 11, 2021, 08:14:01 pm

I don't have that set up, but are the valves supposed to be closed?

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #16 – August 11, 2021, 08:18:35 pm

I would open the valves and see what happens. I can't see what the purpose of the tank is with the valves closed other than to attach things too.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #17 – August 11, 2021, 08:31:42 pm

Quote from: David and Rita – August 11, 2021, 07:19:10 pm

And one more question, what is the point of the yellow valves and what position should they be in?

Those are used to purge air from the generator coolant system. Open and run generator to purge air, close when done purging:

2003 U295 Generator Coolant Valves and Lines from Tank

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #18 – August 11, 2021, 08:35:06 pm

Quote from: red tractor – August 11, 2021, 07:28:49 pm

Looks like wires going into the coolant tank. Probably a float switch. Is that tank full of coolant? If not then fill it up. If it is full maybe the float switch is bad.

Yes there is coolant in the tank. I can stick my finger in there and it comes out wet and green. So I'll call Foretravel tomorrow and ask Brad if he has a part number for that.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #19 – August 11, 2021, 09:14:14 pm

The overflow tank is not an indicator of whether there is coolant in the system if you've never been able to make the engine hot. You need to follow the purge procedures on the BeamAlarm site.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #20 – August 11, 2021, 09:24:54 pm

Michelle is correct. Leave valves closed under normal operating conditions.

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #21 – August 11, 2021, 09:35:48 pm

I recently replaced the fan motor and capacitor for the generator cooling system on our coach
Are you sure the coolant lines be were bled properly?

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #22 – August 11, 2021, 10:26:23 pm

Quote from: Lt403 – August 11, 2021, 09:35:48 pm

I recently replaced the fan motor and capacitor for the generator cooling system on our coach
Are you sure the coolant lines be were bled properly?

I do not know if it was bled properly, can someone help me with a link to the procedure for the bled process?

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #23 – August 12, 2021, 01:41:37 am

Check reply #17 for how to do it

Re: Generator only runs 15 seconds on start up 2004 U320

Reply #24 – August 12, 2021, 09:11:42 am

Quote from: David and Rita – August 11, 2021, 10:26:23 pm

I do not know if it was bled properly, can someone help me with a link to the procedure for the bled process?

Did you not see or read my response to your question? The link was exactly that.

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