Old Generator Wont Start

[Reel Poor]

This is a 3kw Onan generator with a cast iron, 1 cyl engine. Model # 30MAIBA/B Where can I get a wiring diagram? Im sure the problem is electrical.<br />It only fires the spark plug intermitenly and unpredictably. Thanks for any help, and I hope this post is on the right page.

 

[rwise]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

which engine does it have? there may be someone here that would have info from the make of the engine, brigs, kohler, etc. have you checked/cleaned the points, flywheel key?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

My kid got on the onan site and they sent him one at no charge, you can't do much better than that---Bob

 

[dolluper]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

Or here<br /> http://www.gmcws.org/Tech/dsimmons/dsimmons.html

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

Dont know what motor it is thats what id like to know. Would also like start and run electrical diagram. Points are ok but I suspect condensor. Actually I believe the problem is some where on the circut board. Its an old generator that was given to me. I just want to start the engine first to see if it will even run. Has fuel and compression so far but no spark. Could be a POS so I dont want to spend much money till I know it has potential. <br />Thanks dolluper I think the artical you mentioned is for different models because he refers to 2 and 4 cyl generators.<br />This is a raw water cooled marine generator

 

[dolluper]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

Click on control board the diagrams are there they don't change much because of cylinders

 

[Grant S]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

If you suspect the condensor , replace it anyway they arent expensive.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

I isolated the engine from the generator. Still wont start. The ignition system is a magnito style system excited by flywheel rotation. Cleaned coil and flywheel of rust. Still wont start. The coil has a small wire attached to case ground and the other wire goes to points. If I disconnect wire going to the points [using a 12 volt battery] and momentarily applying 12 volts to the wire, the coil will spark every time voltage is remove. This leads me to believe the high tension part of the coil works. Is it posssable for just the part of the coil that recognizes engine rotation to be faulty. Which naturally would require coil replacement.<br />Does anyone know how much resistance this coil should show on an ohm meter. I grounded ohm meter - lead to case and + lead to wire that goes to points. NO resistance, perfect continuity. Looks to me like Im going to need a coil?????

 

[rwise]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

does it have a kill switch, if so take it loose from the points. test points with your ohm meter and the coil disconected when open they should give a neer infinate reading, when closed they should give almost "0" ohms reading.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Old Generator Wont Start

Checked the points with an ohm meter they work fine. Looking for replacement coil. Thanks, I let you know what happens after coil replacement.