Hi all...here is hoping that everyone is ok////my latest problem is my generator..its an onan 4000 generator....was having a problem starting it so i replaced the batteries but still having the same problem....using either the onboard starter or the starter on the generator it just hummms then clicks like its not getting enough power to start....any thing i can check...thanks as always
Check for bad connections or corroded connections first...that's most likely your problem. Then follow up that test with a solenoid test, that is your 2nd most likely problem. Don't let the starting motor get overheated!
With new batteries and still having a problem points to that.
This appears to be sign of a low battery or bad cable connections with the resulting “stuck starter”. I had a similar problem with my generator. I checked it before a trip to Alaska and all appeared to be fine. Used it a couple of times on the trip and then it wouldn’t start. It got to the point that it wouldn’t turn over and just made a click (klunk) that sounded as if the starter was jammed. After returning home, I found information this forum that explained that sometimes the piston in the engine could stop near the top of the compression stroke and the starter motor then could not turn the engine over. The solution was to turn the engine over by hand so it was past the top of the compression stroke. I found that by putting a wrench on the nut on the flywheel, I could get the engine rotated past the compression stroke. I also discovered that I was getting a big drop in the 12 volts as I tried to start the generator. As a test, I used jumper cables from my truck directly to the generator (negative to generator frame – positive to battery side of starter solenoid) and it started instantly. In my RV, the frame was used for the negative wire and the connections from the frame to the generator had corroded and although I could get a 12-volt measurement, the corroded connections would not allow enough current to pass to run the starter. In addition to replacing the corroded connectors, I ran a heavy gauge copper wire from the battery ground to the starter ground. This solved my problems. As stated above, a large drop in voltage when trying to run the starter indicates a bad connection. You might need to check ALL of your ground connections from the generator all the way back to the batteries.
My Generator is the 4KY model.
Remove cover
Locate carburetor (on left side)
Locate Starter solenoid (to left of carburetor)
Look about halfway between carburetor and solenoid; look further into generator to see the fan shroud.
Fan shroud may have a warning sticker advising you to keep hands away.
For safety reasons, you may want to disconnect power to starter.
Reach in past the Starter solenoid and to the left of and behind the fan shroud and you should feel the blades of the fan and further in the nut on the end of the shaft.
If unable to rotate engine by just pulling on the fan blades, try a wrench on the nut.
A DVOM is a Digital Volt/Ohm Meter. Standard voltage measuring device that can be found at most any store. Comes with a couple leads to connect to the thing you want to measure. Usually, under $20.
As far as for the place to connect, don't know, I'm not there. Sorry. Big red wire and big black wire nearest and connected to the genset starting motor? Might have to crawl under the rig.
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Jim@HiTek
