The generator fires but will not stay running. Any suggestions?

I had that problem and found the fuel solenoid was the problem. I could hold it in, or out which ever and it would run, but when I released it then the engine would die. Mine is a diesel though, so if yours is gas then probably a different set-up.

Dale

Before tearing into it, I'd suggest double-checking oil level....My Onan BGA4 must have a super-sensitive oil switch....It's gotta be very close to FULL or the safety switch will kick-in & kill the engine a few moments after start-up....yet if I park on a slight incline, it'll run for awhile......

From the "Unit Starts But Immediately Stops" condition in my Onan manual's troubleshooting guide, it says to check:

1. Worn points/improper setting
2. Out of fuel (Duh......)
3. Dirty carb
4. Defective fuel pump
5. Blown head gasket

My plight was simply solved with oil level.

Hopefully, Billh will weigh-in here shortly and solve your problem!

quote:

Originally posted by Lee:
Before tearing into it, I'd suggest double-checking oil level....My Onan BGA4 must have a super-sensitive oil switch....It's gotta be very close to FULL or the safety switch will kick-in & kill the engine a few moments after start-up....yet if I park on a slight incline, it'll run for awhile......

From the "Unit Starts But Immediately Stops" condition in my Onan manual's troubleshooting guide, it says to check:

1. Worn points/improper setting
2. Out of fuel (Duh......)
3. Dirty carb
4. Defective fuel pump
5. Blown head gasket

My plight was simply solved with oil level.

Hopefully, Billh will weigh-in here shortly and solve your problem!

LOL, Lee, I looked at this earlier, and also thought of oil level, but since I know nothing about a Dometic genset (didn't even know they made them), I didn't post.

I'll post the obvious so none of our resident experts has to. The fuel pickup for the genny doesn't extend to the bottom of the tank so the genny will run out of gas while still having 1/4 or better tank of fuel. I'm relatively sure this is not your problem but it had to be said.

------------------
Dan & Suzy Z
'81 Euro 28

On my propane unit I had to bleed the device that looks like a regulator. It has a screw on cap that I bled it from, and I had to do it a couple of times. Good luck!

Don

Eric,
Drop by the Bluegrass Festival just up the street in Cornish and we can tinker with your genset during the time no great Bluegrass is being offered.

I'll be here the from now till Sunday. You can't miss me, I'm in the only Barth here.


------------------
89 Barth Regal 32
Runs like a Deere
New Hampshire

I suspect it is the regulator and did not know about bleeding it. I'll look into that. My search has found that the propane regulators on these units are used on forklifts and cost $120 to replace. I hate to do that with confirming it is bad.

Bluegrass in Cornish I'll stop by.

For what it's worth when you Google these genset's the only reference is on the Barthmobile site. Go figure...

Eric, If you do a search on this site for Dometic Kwyatt 7 you'll find a detailed discussion of a fix we did on our unit by rebuilding the regulator.
Stu Allen

Thanks Stu;

I was slowly comming to the same answer. I found a rebuild kit a www.helmarparts.com for $32.00

Everyone on the site should check this place out. It has all sorts of stuff that folks like us use.

Stu; I got the rebuild kit today...tell me it's easier then the instructions indicate.

Eric, Don't be intimidated by the jargon in the instructions. You are basically replacing parts one-for-one. The pressure adjustment in the final step might be tricky. I used a fuel pump tester on an old Sun machine I have to make the setting and it worked the first time I tried it. If you have questions, email me at stuscar@aol.com

The story continues: After pooring out a cupfull of red propane smelling goop and rebuilding the gas regulator I determined that the real problem was a capacitor conection near the distributor. The generator now runs flawlessly. TWO DAYS later it stopped putting out electricity...I have noticed that a relay marked 12V dc is tripping constently (not good I think). Any suggestions out there? Wiring diagrams any for the power head anyone?

I have the owners manual if it would help, I can scan it and send it on, or copy it and send via snail mail.

Thanks for the offer Don, I have the owners manual and installation book but no internal wiring diagrams.