Onan Generator problem

[Wild Irish lad]

I just joined this forum, but have had my old '89 GS Classic for several years. Last year I tried to start the generator, and it wouldn't start normally. While I hold the start button down (either on the dash or at the genset) it will fire right up and try to run, but as soon as I let go of the button it instantly quits firing and dies. I thought of the kill switch that keeps the genset from running if you are down to a quarter of a tank of gas or less, but my tank is 3/4 or more in gas level. Anyone know how to start tracking down the problem?

[jpf]

it's usually not a kill switch, just that the tap into the fuel tank is higher than the engine fuel line.
I don't have any good advice except to say that my old rv did this and needed a carb rebuild. the ethanol mix gas leaves sticky deposits if it sits in the carb too long and might've gummed up the main jet.

[Wild Irish lad]

Thank you JPF. I was beginning to think no one was out there in cyberspace :-) I thought of that, but that can't be it, as it will start right up and run as long as I keep the starter switch depressed. As soon as I let go, it just quits firing, like it's something electrical, but I have no idea which wires do what on these things. There are quite a few wires going to the genset, and I don't know what they do, and don't have a circuit diagram to even start to trace what the problem may be. It would help if I had a diagram, but everywhere I look on the web, they either don't have it, or they want to hook me in to their spam network before they'll let me download a manual.

[jpf]

no real answers here I'm afraid. there's lots of discussion about onan issues on irv2 and rv.net.
if you're of a mind, use the starter on the genset and hold the carb open when you release the
switch. that MIGHT indicate whether or not it's electrical or the main jet.

[Wild Irish lad]

Thanks jpf, I'll check those out.