Onan 5000 RV generator fix running intermittently shutting down not restarting

[@daleyhvac]

You're awesome! I can't tell you how many useless videos I watched or how much money I wasted at the RV center for repairs that went nowhere. I wish I had found your video first! Thanks!

[@jill-of-all-tradesmasterof9555]

Glad I could help!

[@cramsmith9677]

Thank you so much! I've spent a year trying different things. I could not convince myself that an electric fuel pump could fail (then restart) so predictably. Mine was exactly like yours. After listening to you describe your testing of the cold flow, then the lack of flow when hot... I finally threw a pump at it. New fuel pump was the fix! For the first time since we have owned the rig we now have a generator that will work for more than 20-30 minutes. Thank you so much for sharing your find.

[@jill-of-all-tradesmasterof9555]

I’m so glad this helped! That was my whole purpose in making the video. I’m no professional mechanic and if it weren’t for other people sharing their knowledge on here I would be lost! This is my first rig and it had many problems when we got it and thanks to other youtubers, I think I’ve fixed almost everything. So glad I was finally able to help someone else!

[@locopilot1]

THIS IS HOW I FIXED MINE, IN THE CASE OF.... "I CAN'T START MY GENERATOR" It's has been two years since last time it was running, so I started by checking oil level full at gen dipstick (it won't start if low oil because of sensors) then I checked gasoline more than 1\4 tank in the RV (also safety sensors), sparkplug checked for good spark, also checked the manual reset circuit braker ( to be ON) at front motorhome engine compartment for 12v current to the generator to be able to start it, also cleaned the carburetor and even installed new one but same situation, then checked wires and found some has been chewed like gum by rats at the back of starting switch generator panel so I replaced them, at this time the generator started but stay running only by keep pushing the switch on all the time, so then finally I knew it was internal electrical problem from the engine itself, so I took the generator out from my RV to work in my garage, (I did this by myself with some tools and old Mayan tricks ) lol, it's really heavy for one person. I disassemble the unit at my garage and started by removing the cover, then the cooling fan or flywheel unit (it's 2 items in one) until finally I was at the gen rotor and brushes assembly area and this is what I found: one more wire chewed by filthy rats plus the stinky rat nest in the middle of the generator motor coil, I fixed the wire and sanded the commutator copper contacts where the brushes are sitting becouse they were real duty with old urine from the rats, and of course I got rid off the stinky nest, lol!!! Then I assembled everything back together and... bingo it's runing like a champion!!! For this project materials involved was about $60.00 including an aftermarket new carburetor and an harmonic balancer/steering wheel puller (available at any auto parts for $25.00) to pull the aluminum fan out and (flywheel). Just picture this: (Any gasoline engine run smooth if gasoline and DC current aren't interrupted) so following this important principle you'll always find the problem to be fixed. Also if you have a onan microlite 4000 like mine, don't run it for more than a minute without the cover because you'll cook the engine real fast, also keep the eye on the aluminium fan and your fingers after cranking it in case you missing one or two members...just kidding, lol!!! After testing the gen with the help of a gasoline container, a piece of hose and 12v battery, I did put the air cooling assembly back and the rest of components including the cover, then it was ready to be installed at my RV. Once the gen was installed back at my motorhome I started it to be tested for 120v electricity but not before flipping the AC circuit switch (on) at the gen starting control panel (sometimes hiding under or around the panel) to be able to transfer power to my RV GFCI main outlet and electric panel as well, my motorhome it's equipped with GFCI so I reset it and tested for green led light indicating power is ready at my main breakers panel, so I turned my main breaker (on) along the others ones but no power was present at my breaker main switch (faulty main braker) so I flipped it many times, sometimes you can make it work again, mine did work, lol!!! I'm happy because everything works now including the refrigerator for cold drinks and AC for this crazy summer, lol! Later I'll buy me a new main braker, for now this is a resurrected generator story that needed to be shared. If this can help eaven one person to save time and $$$ it'll make me more happy, thanks for reading!

[@EarlyIronAddict427]

Good job diagnosing and repairing it ! And Great channel name. lol Love that ❤️👍🏻✌🏻

[@SLOCLMBR]

Awesome video, trying to get a motorhome back on the road after 4 years, the marquis 7000 is very similar

[@MrRohanstar]

Nice video sweetie ,I just bought a used RV the onan marquis 5500 needed a starter then I noticed the rod from the carb is discontinued but I can't find ware it connects to ??

[@tnal49]

Thank you mine is doing the same thing, hard to find anything about the 5000 marquis

[@dragonsnj]

Where do you add the gas in that? I'm so confused.

[@jill-of-all-tradesmasterof9555]

The gas is drawn directly from the RV’s fuel tank. The line enters the tank above a certain point on the tank so that it cannot run your fuel tank dry. So if your fuel level is low, your may not have enough fuel in the tank to reach the fuel line to the generator.

[@jill-of-all-tradesmasterof9555]

In the video, I disconnected the section. Of fuel line that runs from the generator’s fuel pump to the carburetor. There is another fuel line attached to the fuel pump that delivers fuel from the tank to the pump. If you follow that line, you will see where it enters the tank.

[@dragonsnj]

@@jill-of-all-tradesmasterof9555 the RVs battery died but when it warms up or at least becomes less cold ( lol ) 🥶 I'll go mess with it. Thank you so much for the help! I'm currently homeless so I traded a Corvette that was race tuned for the RV to end the homelessness and due to having zero knowledge on RVs I feel hopeless and homeless again 😆

[@jill-of-all-tradesmasterof9555]

@@dragonsnj Hang in there! You will be an expert in no time if you just keep reading product manuals and watching videos. I was completely lost and intimidated when we first got this RV. But now I have had to fix something on just about every system it has. After a while, you just dive in and quit fearing the outcome and it usually works out ok. Take care!

[@dragonsnj]

@@jill-of-all-tradesmasterof9555 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 sounds like every Camaro I've owned! I forgot to ask! Would the generator (if connected to the gas tank) turn off at half tank? 🤔 if so then I'm just below before I killed the battery 🔋

[@rudygross7274]

Hi, thanks, would you a video on cleaning and adjusting the carburetor?

[@vagabond317]

Hi there, I’m probably not the best person for that. There are plenty of videos out there on cleaning a carburetor on a small engine done by people with a lot more mechanical knowledge than me. I mainly just try to spray out all of the openings/jets with carb cleaner and make sure there is no residue in the bowl that can get sucked into the tiny holes.

[@aztectexan1004]

I know it’s been a while but by chance do you know how to remove the bulb I think I know but don’t want to break anything

[@chrismabbitt7405]

I have an emerald 3000 (old style) and im having the same issue it started to run really rough I shut it off let it cool down ran like crap died and now just cranks no fire, wire brushed the spark plug off tested the spark shocked myself... it has spark pulled the air filter (still new) so its getting air, i found that the prev owner put a in line filter of the fuel line so i replaced that and noticed there is not fuel filling up the clear in line filter so i used my mouth (TERRIBLE IDEA DO NOT TRY) to sudo syphon some fuel in thinking oh it just needs primed...no change, i can still smell gas from3 days ago. next im gonna get a new multimeter and test the circuit to the pump to see if the pump is getting power if so i would say my pump is bad if not idk where to look next i would guess the control board but anything beyond normal troubleshooting ie electrical or the actual generating parts i have no clue how to approach, i hope it is as simple as your fix and thankyou for pointing out that you didnt pay the 160 for a new pump and that generic ones work too i will go that route if i can.

[@chadhulstein5661]

Mine runs then pops the fuse as soon as it starts, do you think I need a pump as well ??

[@vagabond317]

I’m no expert, but I would think that it is highly likely. If the pump is drawing too many amps or shorting out because it is getting too hot, I would think that could cause the fuse to blow.