Generator start switch...??? '03 Winnebago Adventurer 38G

tbomn091847 · 07-07-2018, 10:05 AM

Just went out to my 2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G to do my monthly starts/runs and overall check over and the switch on the dash and electrical panel would not start the generator. I went to the generator switched the breakers back and forth a couple times and hit the start toggle on the generator, started right up. Went into the coach, switched off the generator and waited for about 5 minutes, just in case of a relay delay, and tried to start the generator from the electrical panel again....nothing. Went to the dash switch and still nothing. Went out to the generator, hit the start toggle...fired right up.... This has never happened before and worked just fine a month ago when I did the my monthly start/run....Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem my be?????

Thanks in advance....Joe

SarahW · 07-07-2018, 11:07 AM

Are your batteries low?

tbomn091847 · 07-07-2018, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

Are your batteries low?

No, everything starts and runs fine. There just is no connections between the inside generator switches and the generator........

Oldchinahand · 07-07-2018, 02:10 PM

Was having very similar symptoms a couple of weeks ago. Went back a re-cleaned all battery posts, checked cables from batteries to genset for wear, re-cleaned the battery lugs at the genset (beneath and to the rear). In a difficult position inside the battery compt. found corrosion on the grounding lug. Cleaned it. Genset started at all stations. Just to be sure, went behind the starting switches on dash and at OneStop and cleaned the knife connectors.

Working fine (until the next time)

Fair Winds and Following Seas

tbomn091847 · 07-08-2018, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldchinahand

Was having very similar symptoms a couple of weeks ago. Went back a re-cleaned all battery posts, checked cables from batteries to genset for wear, re-cleaned the battery lugs at the genset (beneath and to the rear). In a difficult position inside the battery compt. found corrosion on the grounding lug. Cleaned it. Genset started at all stations. Just to be sure, went behind the starting switches on dash and at OneStop and cleaned the knife connectors.

Working fine (until the next time)

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Cleaned everything....no go. Nothing seems to connect the start side of the toggles in the coach, but the stop side works, I can stop it from the inside toggles........going to call Winnebago in the morning. There must be a relay on the start side that I am not finding. Thanks for the suggestions and help.

powercat_ras · 07-08-2018, 07:35 PM

There are 4 wire low voltage wires in the Winnebago OEM wiring running from the generator to the remote panel. No relay. Some more info for trouble shooting below.

You did not tell us your coach type and year so this is for basic coaches with the remote panel with switch and hours meter only. Coaches with auto start have a 5th wire.

Label Purpose Color
LL Generator Run Indication yellow
LM Start white
LN Stop white
LP Ground white

There is a single pole double throw center off switch when set to start it connects Start to Ground and when set to stop it connects Stop to ground. The Run indicator lead has voltage when generator is running and also feeds an input terminal on the battery isolation manager.

bobmac · 07-08-2018, 08:13 PM

You might want to check the plug with the wiring to the generator at the generator. There have been similar issues if there is moisture on that connector. That is the communications link to the generator from the switches inside. Good luck.

tbomn091847 · 07-08-2018, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powercat_ras

There are 4 wire low voltage wires in the Winnebago OEM wiring running from the generator to the remote panel. No relay. Some more info for trouble shooting below.

You did not tell us your coach type and year so this is for basic coaches with the remote panel with switch and hours meter only. Coaches with auto start have a 5th wire.

Label Purpose Color
LL Generator Run Indication yellow
LM Start white
LN Stop white
LP Ground white

There is a single pole double throw center off switch when set to start it connects Start to Ground and when set to stop it connects Stop to ground. The Run indicator lead has voltage when generator is running and also feeds an input terminal on the battery isolation manager.

I did mention in the original post that it was a 2003 Winnebago Adventurer 38G but I would guess that all coaches with a generator have the same wiring. I will pull the panel again and see if I can get those wires checked to see if they are intact.. Thanks for the info..

KIX · 07-14-2018, 08:59 PM

Follow wiring from gen towards coach. You should find a plug usually within 6’. Unplug and spray with electronic cleaner. Reassemble. Should be the problem.

tkamsal · 07-15-2018, 07:29 AM

I had the same symptoms on my '97 Winnie Itasca. Turned out to be one of the inside switches which had lost connection to the ground wire. Replaced both switches and works fine. Also noted that the generator no longer shuts off while it is running which it would do from time to time.

jerichorick · 07-15-2018, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobmac

You might want to check the plug with the wiring to the generator at the generator. There have been similar issues if there is moisture on that connector. That is the communications link to the generator from the switches inside. Good luck.

My thought exactly. Have had issues there. Cleaned the connector contacts at the generator inverter panel and all was well after. I use some anti-oxide compound on the connector pins.... sparingly.

boatdesigner · 07-17-2018, 05:01 AM

I simply toggled on/off my coach shut off switch.