nwgs motorhome addiction and therapy thread - Page 208

03rubicon · 12-03-2012, 03:54 PM

Just bought a Coachman Mirada a couple of weeks ago now ( Thanks NWGS ) anyway all was working well until I changed the oil in the generator, now the generator won't start ( won't crank over ) WTF!! any thoughts?

madeouttaglass · 12-03-2012, 04:40 PM

It likely has nothing to do with your oil change. Check connections. I had similar issues with my used Southwind at first.

Da Bear · 12-04-2012, 12:17 AM

Well, we went out to take a look at the one we wanted last week, and it seems that it might be something of a bait and switch thing.

So we're going out to look at a 2003 Dutch star on Wednesday.

Nicer coach anyway and it has an oven, which the wife has wanted, I'll get some pics up if we bring it home. Odd little quirky thing about it: The paint job is the same as our wedding colours........

PirateJohn · 12-04-2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubicon

Just bought a Coachman Mirada a couple of weeks ago now ( Thanks NWGS ) anyway all was working well until I changed the oil in the generator, now the generator won't start ( won't crank over ) WTF!! any thoughts?

Generators almost always have low oil and overheat sensors. Some have low coolant sensors. Like the man said, check for a wire that got accidentally disconnected or - and here's a thought - that the crankcase is actually full of oil (never overlook the obvious, we all have stories there).

However, if it won't crank, you probably have

* weak battery
* broken battery cable (those are tough to troubleshoot because they come and go)
* loose ground
* broken or misidentified/hidden switch

03rubicon · 12-04-2012, 04:31 PM

Thanks guys for your response. It amazes me how something can work good one minute and 5 minutes later not work. I checked the batteries ( 2 ) and they are fully charged, the wires/cable are clean and tight, oil level is good. I sure hope its just something simple.

Da Bear · 12-05-2012, 07:13 PM

We bought this today: http://www.guaranty.com/content/2003...utch-star-3803
We gave them a lower offer, and a list of a few things that we felt needed repair. We take possession on Saturday

. WTFHID?

1greenmachine · 12-05-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubicon

Thanks guys for your response. It amazes me how something can work good one minute and 5 minutes later not work. I checked the batteries ( 2 ) and they are fully charged, the wires/cable are clean and tight, oil level is good. I sure hope its just something simple.

Are you checking power to the genset because those sometimes have they're own batteries. I had once were the main engine would start but the gen wouldn'y even click, ended up putting the charger on the gen power lugs and started right up.

RedRocker · 12-06-2012, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da Bear

We bought this today: http://www.guaranty.com/content/2003...utch-star-3803
We gave them a lower offer, and a list of a few things that we felt needed repair. We take possession on Saturday

. WTFHID?

Nice!

PirateJohn · 12-06-2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1greenmachine

Are you checking power to the genset because those sometimes have they're own batteries. I had once were the main engine would start but the gen wouldn'y even click, ended up putting the charger on the gen power lugs and started right up.

I was thinking the same thing. Check for adequate starting power at the generator when you try to crank it. I have seen confusion over which batteries (house or chassis?) start generators as well as cables with internally broken strands that get twisted and can be good one time that you test and dead or near dead the next time.

03rubicon · 12-06-2012, 03:25 PM

Ok, I don't know much about generators here so your saying I can put a charger right where the lines come into the generator? I get plenty of buzz but no cranking over at all, the oil level is good. The generator is a Onan Micro Quiet 4000 by the way.

03rubicon · 12-06-2012, 04:50 PM

Got it to work!!! Read online from a guy who runs a fleet of rental motor homes who has had this problem before. He said to remove the cover plate and on the left hand side reach in and give the fan blades a " real hard tug " as they for what ever reason get stuck sometimes. Mine were really tight and I really had to pull hard to free them up but when I did and hit the start button she fired right up. Just make sure no one hits the start button while your hand is in there. Thanks again guys for you replies, I hope some where down the line this info helps someone else out.

Frank

PirateJohn · 12-06-2012, 05:23 PM

You did good!

TigerLilly · 12-07-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da Bear

We bought this today: http://www.guaranty.com/content/2003...utch-star-3803
We gave them a lower offer, and a list of a few things that we felt needed repair. We take possession on Saturday

. WTFHID?

Gorgeous! Congratulations. I'm soooo jealous. Someday...

1greenmachine · 12-07-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubicon

Ok, I don't know much about generators here so your saying I can put a charger right where the lines come into the generator? I get plenty of buzz but no cranking over at all, the oil level is good. The generator is a Onan Micro Quiet 4000 by the way.

Thats what i did, right on the cable lugs. i had the generator on 12v low and it started after chargeing for a few minutes. I would also with the fan deal look in there and make sure there isnt mice nests getting in the way.

TheOtherBart · 12-07-2012, 01:07 PM

So I'm about a year and a half from (fingers crossed) being in a position to take the family for a 6+ week road trip around the US. Plan A was to rent an RV. Then it was suggested that we could probably buy one, take the trip, sell it at the end of the summer, and end up with less out of pocket than a rental. That was briefly Plan B. Further contemplation made me realize that I'll most likely have the flexibility to take 3-4 weeks away every summer, plus the occasional spring break/winter break/thanksgiving break weeks away, and an RV would really be a great way to show the kids the country. So Plan C is to buy, and then keep. I have great memories of traveling around the US and Canada with my aunt and uncle in theirs back in the day, and I know my daughters would love it.

But I'm not exactly rolling in the dough if you know what I mean. Financing will be involved, with all the restrictions that entails regarding the age of the vehicle, etc. So is it unrealistic to think that I could get a solid, reliable rig that could sleep four for around the $20,000 mark? I'm not interested in a trailer, I definitely want the basic comforts like AC, and I'd rather have something on the smaller side just for the sake of being maneuverable. Suggestions as to what specifically I should be looking for? Am I dreaming?

12-03-2012, 04:40 PM	#3107
madeouttaglass The AntiHarley Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol Hills in the Fingerlakes region of NY Oddometer: 2,186	It likely has nothing to do with your oil change. Check connections. I had similar issues with my used Southwind at first. __________________ Our ride across the USA on a Ural Gear Up- http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=781149

12-04-2012, 12:17 AM	#3108
Da Bear Twisted toy maker Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Portland, oregon. The Great North Wet Oddometer: 1,497	Well, we went out to take a look at the one we wanted last week, and it seems that it might be something of a bait and switch thing. So we're going out to look at a 2003 Dutch star on Wednesday. Nicer coach anyway and it has an oven, which the wife has wanted, I'll get some pics up if we bring it home. Odd little quirky thing about it: The paint job is the same as our wedding colours........ __________________ I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ - Ghandi Leave everything to Chance.....

12-05-2012, 07:13 PM	#3111
Da Bear Twisted toy maker Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Portland, oregon. The Great North Wet Oddometer: 1,497	Shit oh dear..... We bought this today: http://www.guaranty.com/content/2003...utch-star-3803 We gave them a lower offer, and a list of a few things that we felt needed repair. We take possession on Saturday . WTFHID? __________________ I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ - Ghandi Leave everything to Chance.....

12-06-2012, 05:23 PM	#3117
PirateJohn Radical centrist Joined: Jul 2001 Location: full-time RV'er, north of Laredo, TX today Oddometer: 21,233	You did good! __________________ PirateJohn -- http://www.PirateJohn.com IBA #7552 - SS1K in 2000 and 50CC in 2002 In the Laredo, TX area and always willing to help travelers escaping into Mexico.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

12-03-2012, 03:54 PM	#3106
03rubicon Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 68	Just bought a Coachman Mirada a couple of weeks ago now ( Thanks NWGS ) anyway all was working well until I changed the oil in the generator, now the generator won't start ( won't crank over ) WTF!! any thoughts?

12-04-2012, 04:31 PM	#3110
03rubicon Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 68	Thanks guys for your response. It amazes me how something can work good one minute and 5 minutes later not work. I checked the batteries ( 2 ) and they are fully charged, the wires/cable are clean and tight, oil level is good. I sure hope its just something simple.

12-06-2012, 03:25 PM	#3115
03rubicon Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 68	Ok, I don't know much about generators here so your saying I can put a charger right where the lines come into the generator? I get plenty of buzz but no cranking over at all, the oil level is good. The generator is a Onan Micro Quiet 4000 by the way.

12-06-2012, 04:50 PM	#3116
03rubicon Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 68	Got it to work!!! Read online from a guy who runs a fleet of rental motor homes who has had this problem before. He said to remove the cover plate and on the left hand side reach in and give the fan blades a " real hard tug " as they for what ever reason get stuck sometimes. Mine were really tight and I really had to pull hard to free them up but when I did and hit the start button she fired right up. Just make sure no one hits the start button while your hand is in there. Thanks again guys for you replies, I hope some where down the line this info helps someone else out. Frank

12-07-2012, 01:07 PM	#3120
TheOtherBart Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: DeKalb County, Illinois Oddometer: 1,461	So I'm about a year and a half from (fingers crossed) being in a position to take the family for a 6+ week road trip around the US. Plan A was to rent an RV. Then it was suggested that we could probably buy one, take the trip, sell it at the end of the summer, and end up with less out of pocket than a rental. That was briefly Plan B. Further contemplation made me realize that I'll most likely have the flexibility to take 3-4 weeks away every summer, plus the occasional spring break/winter break/thanksgiving break weeks away, and an RV would really be a great way to show the kids the country. So Plan C is to buy, and then keep. I have great memories of traveling around the US and Canada with my aunt and uncle in theirs back in the day, and I know my daughters would love it. But I'm not exactly rolling in the dough if you know what I mean. Financing will be involved, with all the restrictions that entails regarding the age of the vehicle, etc. So is it unrealistic to think that I could get a solid, reliable rig that could sleep four for around the $20,000 mark? I'm not interested in a trailer, I definitely want the basic comforts like AC, and I'd rather have something on the smaller side just for the sake of being maneuverable. Suggestions as to what specifically I should be looking for? Am I dreaming?