RV Generator won't start. Part 1. ONAN 4K, check this first. 

I borrowed your “5 times speed for your sanity” for when my wife is explaining something to me. Great video!

You do a wonderful job describing how to troubleshooting RV generator. We watched all 3 videos and looked for your video with seafoam. We could not find yours. Thank you you have really helped us.

This man is great instructor.

Brilliant mate. Description of fuel pick up in tank saved me a lot of time. Cheers!

Thank you easy explained and understood God bless you you. 🎉

Great video. Just what I was looking for. Thanks.

Thank you for actually showing versus talking through troubleshooting. It’s been surprisingly frustrating to find good resources.

Excellent video thank you!

I just bought a '91 Ford Tioga that was sitting for 15 yrs and I'm a certified idiot so this is very helpful! 👍🏽

Thanks a lot. We have Cummins Onan OG 4.0 Gasoline RV Generator | 4.0KYFA-26100. The problem is that the generator does not turn on even though the bus is on. Does anyone know how to solve it? Thank you

Starter don't turn

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 then I did put the air cooling assembly back and the rest of components including the cover, now it's ready to be installed at my RV. Once the gen was installed back at my motorhome I started it to be tested for electric power but not before flipping the electric switch (on) at the gen starting control panel (sometimes hiding under or around the panel) 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 ref 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!!!

I have an Onan 4000 kw generator (4KYFA26100K) is it possible to buy just the carb jet? And which Amazon kit would you suggest for this Gen. Lastly, you mentioned sea foam uses? I watched all your videos but didn’t see that. Can you direct me?

My 5500 has 2300 hrs on it and would not start. I cleaned the carb taking all jets out and cleaned the elevation control by taking it apart... there's a RU-vid video out there that shows how. I adjusted my valves, replaced my fuel pump and filter, spark plugs, cleaned all connections, changed oil with royal purple, treated my gas, air filter... and it fired right up. I had to clean the carb twice and I think that's what the main issue was.. but the plugs were pretty bad and the valve lash was petty far out. It runs like a top now. I cleaned the spark arrestor and ran a snake through the exhaust just in case a nest was in there, too. Valve lash was tricky, but I'm sure that's why it runs so smooth now.

I have the Onan 4K like you are working on here. We had rats get into it and chewed wires. I have sorted out everything but the carburetor has a solenoid shut off and they chewed the hot wire. The ground was fine. I can not find the other end they chewed and can not figure out where it goes. Any ideas on that?

I have done all of the checks of air fuel and spark and it still won’t start. I had to put a new cdi module on my 4wheeler. Does this Owen 4000 have a CDI and and if so how would I check to see if it was bad?

Good information from you as usual!! I watched your video on replacing the fuel filter and fuel pump on the RV QG 4000 generator and followed it to a tee while replacing those two items on my generator (I had previously changed the spark plug and air filter, thinking my gen set would start-- the RV had been in storage for about 6 months and although I started the gen set monthly, it no longer started). Success!!! The generator started and although a bit sluggish, I ran it for about 45 minutes under a load in my RV garage (I'll run it a bit more under a load- my AC- but will move the RV out of the garage for proper ventilation of course). My plan is to perform the Sea Foam treatment on the generator (using the small gas tank and direct Sea Foam "injection" technique the Sea Foam tech posts in a video on You Tube). I already dosed the RV's gas tank with SF, so hoping that will keep things clean going forward as well. My RV tank is 3/4 full, and I've used SF in the tank since purchasing the RV in 2018. In the meantime, any tips on adjusting the carb to help with what I call the "slugging" or surging on the engine to get smooth operation would be appreciated. A lot of folks on YT discuss the altitude adjustment screw setting, and I've fiddled with it a bit, but thought that I'd try the Sea Foam method of cleaning the carb first, just to see if it helped at all before trying any carb adjustments. I really would rather not have to pull the carb, as I've seen/read negative postings about the replacement carbs that are available! Love your channel and the detailed instruction you provide!!! Saving us RV'ers a lot of $$$ for sure!!!

When I hold stop to prime, there are no click noises at all. Thoughts?

Excellent videos! I have the exact same generator you were working on. I watched Part 1 and then checked all three items (air intake, fuel to the carburetor, and spark at the spark plug). Watched Part 2 and followed your excellent instructions in insuring good engine ground, power to the fuel shut off solenoid, and the plunger in the shut off solenoid is operating correctly. Have 3/4 tank of fuel (about 3 month old gas) in my motorhome and oil is full to max. Moved my RV to be pretty level in case the oil safety switch was the issue. I see no (easily) visible wires damaged by varmints or otherwise. Generator still just cranks and cranks and doesn't start. Can hear the fuel pump as well as get fuel from the line when pressing the Prime switch. Any next steps you can suggest? Any insights will be greatly appreciated. And thanks again for sharing your knowledge in these videos. A wonderful gift of your time and effort to the rest of us.

I love how you go step by step all instructional no extra bullshit.❤❤

Thanks for this!!! Extremely helpful. Liked & saved! 👍

2015 Class C ONAN 4000w i replaced thr fuel pump and filter and it turns over fine but no starting and no spark at the spark plug, is there a oil sensor?

thanks brother my son just called me with this same problem and the fuel was indeed too low. I'm subscribed to your channel now. what can you say about those big Aux Batteries?

Mine currently cranks but thats it so trying all the steps. By any chance did you use a thin wall socket for the spark plug? I got a new one and tested it to make sure it fit my socket and it did but once I tried taking the old one out it seems to not go all the way in and just spins.

Step 1 check everything

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My Onan 4000 won't engage and start it makes a clicking noise like a low charged battery would be causing it. I checked the fan in the back to make sure the engine wasn't stuck and all was nice and loose and turned over by hand. I just installed a new solenoid and it is still doing the same as when i had the old one on. She is getting her gas. We thought it was the solenoid. Could anybody give me ideas as to what could be going on with this generator. Thanks for any help. Ross in Nova Scotia

Awesome video. thank you for all the info helps a lot.

Wish I had seen this before I took it to the shop, nice job.

Please give us your location and Tel number for doing maintenance on generator will pay , your video explanation was fantastic

Another trick for checking the filter area is to take a selfie photo of the area with the flash then expand the photo for magnification.

Thank you so much.

I have one of these Onan Microquiet 4000 spec K. I have fuel, I have spark, The air filter is off and not bad. The RV gas tank is over 1/2 full. The oil level is about 1/4 up the stick. New carburetor. Battery is over 12.5VDC. Cranks fast. Will not start. Gets code 36.

Blowen fuse

Would the fuel amount matter at a quarter tank on a RV toy hauler?

Thanks soooo. Much buying a motor home needed info

When will you post part 2?

Hi there, I have gas, spark, and air flowing, still does not start, any ideas?

Mine has no fuel from rv fuel line, and so does not even crank. Fuel tank is over 1/2 full

I not getting fuel to carburetor have a full tank of gas

Thank you for your support.

Short and to the point