Onan lp genny switch conundrum.

[AISURFFISH]

I went to start the generator saturday and had a wierd issue.
The generator would start right away but as soon as I released my finger from the switch it turned of.
I also tried the switch outside on the generator, same outcome.
So where to start.. these things are out of my creative wheelhouse.

[mellow]

I had the same thing happen to my onan down there, I had parked in the bull pen so the wind was blowing right at my generator door (E wind), the next morning I went to fire it up and it wouldn't stay running (ran fine day before). I gave up fiddling with it and waited for the solar to kick in to top the batteries off.

When I got home that evening and pressed the button the dang thing fired right up, never have figured out what caused the issue other than possible moisture?

Edit: If your on LOA: https://community.lanceowners.org/topic/onan-generator-no-start-mystery

[AISURFFISH]

K Charles wrote:
What kind of generator?

Was an onan that lance uses in 99% of their units after 1999

The salt air has taken its toll on it over the years so anytime I can keep it going is a hood day.

I have been using a Carry on Onan 4500i inverter for most of my camping this year. Its awesome..
Quiet as a honda3000 but has wheels and remote start standard.

[K_Charles]

Something turns off the L.P. and the start switch overrides that. Oil level, oil pressure, amount of charge or something. That is what is bad. Onan makes many L.P. generators

[AISURFFISH]

It was the switch
The terminal was loose so it arked and fried the switch.

Got a new generic marine momentary on /off/ momentary on...
Works fine.

Good ol Advanced auto saves the day

[jdc1]

It's starving. If it's firing up at all, it's got spark. If it has power to turn over, it has the needed electrical. If it won't keep running, it is a fuel issue.

[K_Charles]

What kind of generator?

[AISURFFISH]

Everything else works fine on the propane side too.
Fridge.stove. heat.

[AISURFFISH]

It's not a propane issue..
It's either the switch or other electrical..

I can keep it running if I hold the switch in the start position.

[Lancey]

Check and make sure your propane tank hasn't gone into safety mode. It will allow a bit of propane out, just enough to start the Genny, but not enough keep it running. Been there, done that lol