Onan gen set?
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Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
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Onan gen set?
My 5.5 k gen set just stopped after running for an hr. It has 12 hrs on it has spark, power to fuel pump, fed from 20 gallon tank in back. Wondering what you guys think happened?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,137
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From: Texas
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,137
Likes: 7,950
From: Texas
When you press the “PRIME” button before starting the genny, does the light next to the switch light up, indicating that the electric fuel pump is running? If so, that same light should blink a series of blinks indicating the code.
Mine is carbed, 2013 model and if it shuts down the light next to the start-stop button will blink the code indicating the reason for the shut down.
last summer in 100*F heat, I was running both AC units and the genny would run for like 30 minutes, then just shut down. The blinking code indicated “Shut down without operator command” (from the troubleshooting page in the manual). I concluded that it was vaporlocking with that much load on it; shut one AC unit off and it ran fine.
Mine is carbed, 2013 model and if it shuts down the light next to the start-stop button will blink the code indicating the reason for the shut down.
last summer in 100*F heat, I was running both AC units and the genny would run for like 30 minutes, then just shut down. The blinking code indicated “Shut down without operator command” (from the troubleshooting page in the manual). I concluded that it was vaporlocking with that much load on it; shut one AC unit off and it ran fine.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,687
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From: Wyoming
I have the service manual for the 5.5 generator in my trailer. If you get the blink codes I can tell you what they mean.
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Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
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code 36, i have spark and power to the fuel pump when cranking.
Should the fuel pump make noise when powered? It started for 30
seconds when we got home, and died.
Should the fuel pump make noise when powered? It started for 30
seconds when we got home, and died.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,687
Likes: 12,812
From: Wyoming
I don't have my manual with me but I think a code 36 indicates there is a fault in the control board. Check all connections to the battery. No corrosion, loose connections, etc.
The fuel pump should be heard while priming. After my generator starts I can't hear the pump.
The fuel pump should be heard while priming. After my generator starts I can't hear the pump.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,137
Likes: 7,950
From: Texas
i found out the hard way that one needs to run the genny’s about once monthly to keep the carb operating. They don’t like stale gas, and there are no re-build kits for the carb......just new carburetors at $250-300!!!! Even with Sta-bil in the gas.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Wyoming
My Onan 5.5 has 700+ hours on it and I believe the pump is the original. At the very least, it's OEM. I know this only because I had to look at it carefully to see if there was a filter on the pump end of the fuel line. My pump is located right next to the fuel tank which is at the back of the trailer while the generator is at the front of the trailer. There is no filter at the pump end. Apparently, Onan may have had two filters in the system at some point and deprecated one of the filter locations. There's only one now and it is right at the carburetor on mine. What worries me is the the pump is mounted right behind the wheel well (rearward of the wheel well, not inboard). If the tire lets loose the pump is going to get it. 
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Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
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mine is up front under the generator with the filter screwed into the end of it.
In a bind an auto store should have a low volume pump ,and a person could
install it line by cutting the rubber hose, at least on my set up.
In a bind an auto store should have a low volume pump ,and a person could
install it line by cutting the rubber hose, at least on my set up.