The equipt: Onan BF-4, (Spec A) gasser, mechanical ignition, 450 hrs TT, 7 hrs on new wires/plugs/coil/points/condenser........

The Issue: Starter spins it fast when using remote button on dash - (Spins even faster when batteries connected) - but won't even hint at firing off

But hit start button on genny panel and it starts in a nano-second and purrs.

OFF button in either location will kill it.

This is probably because_______________?????

Thanks!

My Kohler was that way until I ran a ground cable from the starter mount bolt to the frame (clean connection, of course).

Yeah, it makes no sense, but, I have gotten to the point where The first thing I do in electrical stuff on MHs, trailers or boats is provide a really good ground.

Another thing would be to check and clean the connections at both ends of the remote harness. I use CRC 2-26, but there are others. Just be sure they are plastic safe.

Do you have a wiring diagram so you know what wire is what? Then, while the cockpit switch is disconnected, you can use a continuity light to check the operation of the cockpit start switch. You can also use a jumper to try start the gen from the cockpit.

Can you post a copy of the wiring diagram?

If you can find a good analog voltmeter, like a
Simpson 260 or Triplett 630, connect the red lead to the coil negative and the black one to ground. Remove the plug leads, and crank the engine from the gen bay and observe the needle. Then, have someone try to start the gen from the remote panel while you observe the meter. Is the needle movement the same?

If you run a jumper wire from the battery lead of the solenoid to the ignition system, can the gen be started from the dash? (sorry I can't be more specific, but my Onan experience is long ago, and no diagram here)