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Old 06-09-2016, 11:48 AM   #1
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Problem with Onan Generator

Having an issue with our Onan generator. Took the 2013 AI back to the dealer to have some tiny things repaired and discovered the generator could not start. They diagnosed the starter needs to be replaced but said we need to take it to a Onan dealer. We live close to Houston - does anyone know a place we should use for this work??

Just taking the AI out of storage - where it has been sitting since October. Maybe we should have been exercising it every month or so. Just hard to do when it's 45 miles away. Darn it.
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Old 06-09-2016, 11:50 AM   #2
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Doubt that not exercising the starter made ot fail.
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Old 06-09-2016, 12:19 PM   #3
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I have ten bucks that says it wasn't actually the starter that failed.


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Old 06-09-2016, 12:23 PM   #4
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I was thinking that myself.....
Troubleshooting skills are at an all time low.
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Old 06-09-2016, 01:06 PM   #5
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I was thinking that myself.....
Troubleshooting skills are at an all time low.

Yep.

Not to say that Onan wont change the starter, but I am betting that they find another problem "also".


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Old 06-09-2016, 01:24 PM   #6
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Did you check the Cummins Onan website for local dealers? I would probably choose one of them.
http://power.cummins.com/sales-service-locator
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Old 06-09-2016, 01:32 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by galvestongrl View Post
Having an issue with our Onan generator. Took the 2013 AI back to the dealer to have some tiny things repaired and discovered the generator could not start. They diagnosed the starter needs to be replaced but said we need to take it to a Onan dealer. We live close to Houston - does anyone know a place we should use for this work??



Just taking the AI out of storage - where it has been sitting since October. Maybe we should have been exercising it every month or so. Just hard to do when it's 45 miles away. Darn it.

What are the symptoms? Does it crank at all? Is your battery voltage up above 12V?


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Old 06-09-2016, 02:00 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by galvestongrl View Post
They diagnosed the starter needs to be replaced but said we need to take it to a Onan dealer. We live close to Houston - does anyone know a place we should use for this work?
The Onan website includes a dealer locator. I'm pretty sure there is at least one in the Houston area.
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Old 06-09-2016, 02:35 PM   #9
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Possible link

Here is a link to a service in Houston that should be able to help with Cummins Onan generator service and repair.

http://www.funroads.com/coachcare/houston/

Hope this helps. Let me know, as I have one here in Phoenix that I would consider using.
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Old 06-09-2016, 02:50 PM   #10
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Here is a link to a service in Houston that should be able to help with Cummins Onan generator service and repair.

http://www.funroads.com/coachcare/houston/

Hope this helps. Let me know, as I have one here in Phoenix that I would consider using.
I looked it up. FWIW, that is not a location in which I personally would leave my Interstate unless the vendor would agree to store it in a warehouse and they had on-site security. One or two of my clients in that area keep their gates manned at all times.
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Old 06-09-2016, 04:49 PM   #11
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I had a similar problem with my 2007 AI. The generator wouldn't start the day I brought it home from the dealer. Multiple trips to Colonial Airstream until they decided I needed to go to an Onan service center. Took it to Camping World who pulled the generator, kept if for over two weeks, and then charged me over $400 to reinstall the brand new generator. They said it was installed improperly by Airstream.

Multiple letters and emails to Colonial were fruitless. Finally I called Airstream and my money was refunded. It took over two years for me to get my money back.
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Old 06-09-2016, 08:20 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Chatooga11 View Post
I had a similar problem with my 2007 AI. The generator wouldn't start the day I brought it home from the dealer. Multiple trips to Colonial Airstream until they decided I needed to go to an Onan service center. Took it to Camping World who pulled the generator, kept if for over two weeks, and then charged me over $400 to reinstall the brand new generator. They said it was installed improperly by Airstream.

Multiple letters and emails to Colonial were fruitless. Finally I called Airstream and my money was refunded. It took over two years for me to get my money back.

Wow - glad you got reimbursed by Airstream.


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Old 07-19-2016, 04:12 AM   #13
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I'm getting low oil pressure warning when run generator on a sloped angle But runs ok when level.

Just low oil??

And what oil recommended if so?


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Old 07-19-2016, 07:06 AM   #14
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+1 on checking the oil level which won't allow a start if the level is too low. Possible they ran the starter too long when the manual says not to run it for long periods. Even a slightly low oil level will allow the Onan to start but stall when you add a load like the AC.
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Old 07-19-2016, 09:20 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Teamaron View Post
I'm getting low oil pressure warning when run generator on a sloped angle But runs ok when level.

Just low oil??

And what oil recommended if so?


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I didn't anticpate any freezing temperatures and used Pennzoil 30w when I changed mine.
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Old 07-19-2016, 06:31 PM   #16
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I'm pretty sure it's low oil. But the question is what oil was used when it was last changed.

Onan doesn't recommend mixing oils.

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Old 07-19-2016, 06:36 PM   #17
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Old 07-28-2016, 11:24 AM   #18
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Yup

Low oil

A few syringe squirts of Onamax 15-40 did the trick.


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Old 07-28-2016, 12:26 PM   #19
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Problem with Onan Generator

I'm guessing that Onamax oil is expensive, like everything Onan?

Tractor Supply Co.'s Traveller brand of 15W-40 oil is service rating CJ-4/SN ( high service rating ) and is usually at a very good price.

Just passing that along if you'd like a very good oil at a reasonable price.


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Old 07-28-2016, 02:05 PM   #20
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I'm guessing that Onamax oil is expensive, like everything Onan?

Tractor Supply Co.'s Traveller brand of 15W-40 oil is service rating CJ-4/SN ( high service rating ) and is usually at a very good price.

Just passing that along if you'd like a very good oil at a reasonable price.


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Thanks PaulnGina,

Actually it was more reasonable than I thought. $6 quart plus tax.


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