Hello everybody. I was just running my generator for about an hour (for inactivity) When I went to shut it down, it just kept going. It was trying to shut down (made noise like it was trying to shut down) but it would start back up when I took my hand off the stop switch. I then went outside and shut it off from the outside and it shut right down
A little background. Since I have had the RV (about 6 months) twice the generator has shut down. I had plenty of gas. Both times I checked the oil dipstick and both times it was running very low on oil. I have read if the oil drops below a certain level that the generator would shut down.
The first time I put a full quart in, the second time about 3 quarters of a quart. I was very puzzeled an where the oil was going as there is no leak, and no black smoke whatsoever.
When checking the oil today, it was practically overflowing. I hadnt even moved the RV since I added the oil so i am not sure what happened.
Could the overage of oil casue the unit to not turn off ( i just let it run for a minute agagin and this time I was able to shut it off fom the inside)
Also I know I have to release some of the oul and I am pretty sure you have to turn the little propeller (looks like a propeller or wingnut) to release the oil but it looks and feels like it is welded on. Just to the left on the propeller is a spout and a hole in the frame for the oil to drain I am just scared to force it. Do I take a wrench to the propeller to drain?
BTW the vehical is a 1994 Minnie Winnie with a onan 4k generator.
My Generator has a little "run on" when I turn it off from inside. By "run on" I mean I have to hold my finger on Stop until the engine completely shuts down. If I take it off a little too early it will rev back up and continue to run.
As far as the oil over fill -- if it were me I would call it a senior moment. You just have to drain the overage out the drain. You should be able to look at your service manual (if you have one) to determine how and where the drain is. If you don't have the manual, you should be able to find an online version or wait until someone responds with one like yours.
Frank O.
Frank and Vicki
Niwot, CO
2006 Itasca Sunrise 35A
States visited/camped in, not just driven through.
Sounds to me like your inside switch isn't working right-I assume it is supposed to disconnect when pushed to stop and it isn't doing that. Come to think of it, I'm really not sure how it shuts things down-ground out the ignition, or disconnects something. In the first instance, it would be failing to make a connection-seems likely. In the latter, it would be failing to disconnect-seems less likely. Try pulling the switch apart and chrcking, if it can be done easily, or just replace it, if that can be done.
The switch grounds the 'stop' wire to stop, and grounds the 'start' wire to start. If the outside switch works, but not the inside you must have a switch or wiring issue.
As for making oil, that is usually caused by gasoline being pushed past the piston rings, or through the breather. Drain the entire crankcase, and see if it doesn't appear real thin and smell strong of gas. Also check your tailpipe while running, see if it smokes or hold a piece of white paper over the exhaust and see if you are spitting oil.
Have to get it checked out and do a compression and crankcase vacuum/pressurization check. Can also be caused by a warped bore, stuck float in the carb, bad breather, or several other items.
I think you have a 4000 Microlite. These had an oil level switch in them at one time, but they stopped somewhere in the 90's. This would kill the ignition if your level dropped beneath preset value. They can't use a pressure switch, since your generator is splash lube.
I would agree that the STOP is grounding the ignition to stop it. The same is true for the level switch as it's contacts close when the level is too low. I am not sure when you checked the oil (before or after cranking the motor to try and start it) but you should check it before cranking. I have cranked the motor over before for 10 seconds or so without starting and checked the oil level. That time it seemed low. If I checked the oil before cranking, it was usually close to high. Might be a function of the splash oiler system.
The 4k Microlite has a straight 6 pin (I think) accessory plug that plugs your in house switches into the motor controller. Should be the set of wires that comes into the unit where the heavy starter power cable comes in and will run under the plate that the voltage controller and the starter solenoid are mounted to. The motor controller is monuted to the bottom of this plate. You may want to see if this connector is corroded or loose and not allowing a good connection.
Generator update. Generator will now run for about 3 minutes and then shut off. I mentioned there seemed to be more oil in it then I had put in and like King Willy suggested, the oil seems very thin and smells of gas.
I guess I will take it in and leave it to the professionals.
King Willy, how bad of a problem (how major do you suspect this is?)
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