Generator shutting down while in motion

Update...I filled up the RV and started the genny to see if it would shut down on the way home, it did not shut off with the A/C off and no load applied. On to the next test...
 
How much fuel was in your tank at the time that the generator shut down? It is very common for the generator fuel line to be placed such that it stops when the tank level falls to 1/4 or less. That is done to prevent the generator from emptying the tank so that you are unable to drive to a fuel station.
 
Kirk said:
How much fuel was in your tank at the time that the generator shut down? It is very common for the generator fuel line to be placed such that it stops when the tank level falls to 1/4 or less. That is done to prevent the generator from emptying the tank so that you are unable to drive to a fuel station.
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Kirk, See post #2. 🤣🤣😅
 
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Your emissions systems may be causing negative pressure in the fuel tank. The generator's fuel pump may be starving for gas.
 
Kirk said:
Any news yet?

It just crossed my mind that I know of a case similar to this one that was caused by too much oil in the generator. If that happens the oil can foam and trigger the low oil sensor to shut down.
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I checked the oil and it is in the middle of the dip stick, not to high, not to low. I know that if the gen has a drop in voltage, or a perceived drop in voltage, they will cut out, that's why it was doing it before, the loose ground was causing the issue then, that would explain why it didn't shut down when there was no load after I filled the fuel tank, or that's what I'm leaning towards anyway!
 
Have you run it under load when not traveling? Is it possible that shutting down only on the road is a coincidence? As a career service technician, I can tell you that we all hate intermittent failures. You never know for sure that it is fixed.
 
Kirk said:
Have you run it under load when not traveling? Is it possible that shutting down only on the road is a coincidence? As a career service technician, I can tell you that we all hate intermittent failures. You never know for sure that it is fixed.
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Yes!, it will literally run as long as you let it while sitting still, I run it every month for at least 45 minutes to an hour with a load.
 
Charger1204 said:
My generator will run all day long sitting still but a few moments after driving down the road it shuts off, I'm leaning towards a ground issue, any other possibilities? Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Brad
2010 Winnebago Vista 26p *****I HAVE A ONAN 4000 GENERATOR**** sorry I didn't mention that to begin with!
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Is it leaving a code? You have to pull off the cover and check the light on the start stop local switch. Check the owners manual for the procedure to read the code. Let us know what you find out.
 
TheBar said:
Your emissions systems may be causing negative pressure in the fuel tank. The generator's fuel pump may be starving for gas.
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I would say loosen the gas cap just a little to let air in then drive it but that would be dangerous so I'm not going to say it (n)
 
TheBar said:
I would say loosen the gas cap just a little to let air in then drive it but that would be dangerous so I'm not going to say it (n)
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Funny you should mention the gas cap...I just bought a locking gas cap the other day, I'll have to see what happens when I take it out!
 
I have put a new gas cap on and driven down the road with the a/c on...genny shuts down in about 5 minutes. I turned the genny back on and ran an electric heater (1500 watts) and the genny never shut down. I'm going with a faulty ground somewhere on the a/c. Any thoughts on this diagnoses?
 
Charger1204 said:
I have put a new gas cap on and driven down the road with the a/c on...genny shuts down in about 5 minutes. I turned the genny back on and ran an electric heater (1500 watts) and the genny never shut down. I'm going with a faulty ground somewhere on the a/c. Any thoughts on this diagnoses?
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My guess is your genny is shutting down because of too high of frequency. It must run at very close to 3600 RPMs at all times, even when ice cold or very hot. Every 60 RPMs off is one hz away from 60 hz. IOW, 3660 RPM is 61 hz. Around 5 hz too high (or low) in frequency will shut it down to protect sensitive equipment that is plugged into it.

You put on the 1500-watt load, and the RPMs drop a little, and now it is in range where it no longer drops out. But it should not die at any load that is within spec. , including no load.

That is my guess. BUT we need to stop guessing and get the codes.

I would do this:

Run the genny with no load and hope it fails right away--do NOT restart it--check the codes. The light on the genny will be blinking three times. This is NOT the code. It's telling you you need to retrieve an error code. Press the switch on the genny one time to the left and count the new blinks. You will probably see a Onan code 14, which is one blink and then four blinks. It will repeat this three times.

Get the code so there is no guessing for the cause, and then we can go from there.

Here is a list of the Onan Error Codes.

-Don- Tucson, AZ
 
Ok true story. Park I was at did a Halloween event and I worked the haunted trail, Our work station was powered by a Honda 200i which kept shutting down, Well park people were tearing hair out till I ask if they opened the vent on the gas cap. Worked fine after that.

On your RV the main engine can easily suck 6-10 gallons per hour. If the cap is not properly vented this creates a vacuum inside the tank The main engine seals with it and has the power to keep on sucking, Some can suck hard enough to damage the tank. But the genny's fuel pump is not that strong.
 
I believe the RV fuel tank venting concerns you describe would only apply to very old RV’s, John. For the last 20 years or so (maybe 30 or 40?) the tank has had a fuel return line from the engine. If, in fact, the tank sees atmospheric pressure (loose gas cap) you will get a CEL (check engine light.)
 
If only Onan had provided a troubleshooting reference with shutdown error codes...........:rolleyes:













Oh wait, they did!
 
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