1986 Winnebago Chieftain Onan Emerald I 4.0 BGE Won't Start

[S☉L_starr]

The generator is not working.
This is a 1986 Winnebago Chiefton, P 30
I recently acquired this lovely home in the past few weeks and she has a few problems.

Generator details
Manufacturer: Onan
Series: Emerald I
Model: 4.0 BGE
Specification: 1P / 26109C
Output: 4.0 kW
Voltage: 120 volts
Frequency: 60 Hz
Amperage: about 33 amps


Engine speed: 1800 RPM
Fuel type: gasoline
Total hours on generator: 411 hours

Issue description
The generator will not start.

The start button inside the RV cab does nothing. The remote start does nothing either.

When pressing the start button directly on the generator itself, at first it did not turn over at all. After checking and making sure there is plenty of gasoline in the main fuel tank, it now turns over slightly, but it still does not start.

The generator occasionally cranks briefly.

It smells like gasoline near the generator.

The fuse has been checked and is not blown.

Video attached.

 

[Morich]

This seems to be a site to check for big manual that looks like it works for others? Bit busy tonight butperhaps a ways to go?

Onan 4.0BGE spec C Service Manual Request

Hello, I am looking for the service manual on an onan gen. I believe it is an Emerald 4.0 BGE spec "C", the complete part number is 3.0BGE-1R/26100C, serial number is 1870 904090. I am told that the manual I need is a 965-0530. I posted this earlier to a different thread, and a kind soul...

www.smokstak.com

 

[S☉L_starr]

Great I will look at this and see if I can figure it out on my own and post my solution

 

[klook]

Push and hold it on STOP for at least 10 seconds. Stop runs the fuel pump and primes it. Then push start and hold it thru starting. You can disconnect the fuel line and see if the fuel pump is pushing fuel. There is a filter you can replace. After that it gets more complex....

 

[S☉L_starr]

I did try holding stop for a few seconds but maybe not 10 but I definitely did five or so. It gradually seems like it's getting better though. But still not pushing through and running.
How do the electronics work on it like how does the fuel pump push the fuel on demand or is there a button or something to get it going?
What does the button do next to the generator start button in the cab on the left? It does not light up. I thought I heard a fan at one point running also if I try to start it in the cab, it doesn't do anything. I have to go outside and hit the start button.

 

[klook]

Dont know about that button, don't think it is generator related. Mine has more hours and still is running....
Getting better could be contacts getting better with use. There is a solenoid that they all go to out near the generator. The fuel pump comes on with the prime feature and continues to run when it starts. The fuel is a return system so the pump keeps running. If the tank is low it will not pick it up. That is so you don't run out while camping.

 

[klook]

If it has not run in a long time I would hold it for quite awhile to purge out any bad fuel. I like Seafoam snakeoil.

 

[klook]

I have disconnected the fuel line before the pump and put a hose in a can of Seafoam and pulled in straight Seafoam and let it set for a day. Went back and primed it with fresh gas and vroom.

 

[S☉L_starr]

Yes, a very, very long time. I'm imagining OK yes I'll hold it down for a long time. How long do you think is OK what will happen to the fuel? Can you explain what's going on? When I hold down that button I know it's pumping the fuel into the carburetor, but where does it go to?

 

[S☉L_starr]

Where is the battery disconnect in this RV? I have not seen it yet.

 

[klook]

Not sure, being that old it is hard to find someone that has or had one. The fuel is pumped back to the tank. the carb only takes what it needs.

 

[klook]

Usually it is close to the exit door.

 

[bill06447]

Your generator does not have the prime feature. Don't waste time trying. The gas smell tells me fuel delivery isn't your issue.

You mention the generator barely turns over. In another thread you talk about an issue with dead house batteries. The generator gets its cranking voltage from the house side. It sounds like you have a wiring/battery issue you need to resolve first. When I first got my 91 I discovered the main harness had melted where it runs along an exhaust component. My first task was making a replacement harness.

I would strongly suggest taking a day and doing a thorough examination inside and out, top to bottom, peeking behind covers and crannies before diving down rabbit holes. My hunch is you have a fairly simple issue thats tied to many of your problems with this coach.

 

[S☉L_starr]

My sentiments exactly. I really thought it was something to do with the wiring because the little switch inside the cabin that identified as the generator start switch does not light up. There's a little LED inside of it does not light up there's a fan that turns on though also inside the cabin, the generator starts, which is not work either so I assume it's a wiring issue. There are a few wires laying around that are just not plugged in properly I need to track them back with a wire tester. Thank you for your help.

 

[mudy1shoe]

On our Winnebago 27RQ Super chief the house battery's are located in the entryway under the second step, the battery disconnect is mounted on frame behind the batteries. Our generator (same as yours) stopped starting,also the steps stopped working. On shore power the inverter does not provide enough amps for everything to work properly. In our case the battery disconnect switch malfunctioned by not letting battery power into the coach, I bypassed the switch with battery cable from the plus side of the battery to the coach side of the switch, and everything started working properly again. Just something you might want to check

 

[Morich]

Suggestion for when you find those wires that are loose?
There will be lots of wires that this doesn't work on as they are wires from other builders, but if they are Winnebago wires, look for an ID stamped as the last 2-4 letters in a long string of info on the the wire. If you find that ID, then you can use the wire ID chart to get the "from" and "to" locations!

https://www.winnebago.com/Files/Files/Winnebago/Resources/Diagram/electrical_guide.pdf

That info may let yu figure out if they were supposed to go to an item nearby, cutoff from other items and sometimes it tells you some info that gives idea of whether they might be power or ground as they may go to ground or a fuse!
But be aware that many RV do have wire harness that are used on seveal different RV and possibly for options that were not ordered on your specific RV.

 

[S☉L_starr]

On our Winnebago 27RQ Super chief the house battery's are located in the entryway under the second step, the battery disconnect is mounted on frame behind the batteries. Our generator (same as yours) stopped starting,also the steps stopped working. On shore power the inverter does not provide enough amps for everything to work properly. In our case the battery disconnect switch malfunctioned by not letting battery power into the coach, I bypassed the switch with battery cable from the plus side of the battery to the coach side of the switch, and everything started working properly again. Just something you might want to check

Can you send a photo? I definitely do not see a battery disconnect switch in the compartment that I can identify. I do see the switch next to the generator start switch in the cab that turns on some sort of fan I can hear, but that is it. I do see the solenoid that is down by the batteries inside the battery compartment the house batteries and also the starter battery are brand new and fully charged.

 

[Morich]

Since good battery power is step one of gettting lots of other things to work, I might suggest getting those two basic ssytems in order first. That, in turn , will help anything else have a better chance.
On starting the cranking of the generator, having good 12V power is importent and currently that may be a problem or not until finding for sure which powers the generator cranking.
I might suggest doing some minor testing to verify that the correct power is available to do the cranking.
I suggest trying this to find what gives the best power.
Do you have a switch somewhere near the dash that is labeled MOM or momentary on one side and dual on the other? That is one early form of getting the two battery groups connected together with the engine alternator. My thought is that if you can get the RV engine running the alternator then will send power to make sure that battery power should be good.
Then step two, flip that toggle switch to dual, as that should then connect the coach batteries to the chassis battery!
Leave them connected while trying to crank the generator as you should then have both sytems connected with the alternator powering them both!
At that point, if the generator doesn't crank well, it is time to look for bad cables between the batteries and generator.
It may/may not start but with all the systems connected to get good power from whichever one is used for cranking, but that cranking good has to be step one!
If it won't crank well and every time, there is no reason to move to trying to start!
After testing, do be sure to flip the switch back to center position to avoid leaving them connected to possibly run BOTH batteries dead!! This early sytem required close thinking to avoid trouble!

 

[mudy1shoe]

Can you send a photo? I definitely do not see a battery disconnect switch in the compartment that I can identify. I do see the switch next to the generator start switch in the cab that turns on some sort of fan I can hear, but that is it. I do see the solenoid that is down by the batteries inside the battery compartment the house batteries and also the starter battery are brand new and fully charged.

the solenoid that you see is actually the disconnect switch, took me some time to figure that out. On ours, standing in the doorway , battery power comes in on the right, coach power goes out on the left, might also be a couple of fuses on it ,ours are 5 amp. There might also be on/off switch for it, ours is located on the left wall in the entry way. I haven't figured out how to upload photos

 

[S☉L_starr]

the solenoid that you see is actually the disconnect switch, took me some time to figure that out. On ours, standing in the doorway , battery power comes in on the right, coach power goes out on the left, might also be a couple of fuses on it ,ours are 5 amp. There might also be on/off switch for it, ours is located on the left wall in the entry way. I haven't figured out how to upload photos

What year do you have? you can text me if you want lets dm or I can help you figure out how to upload photos. are you on your phone or pc?