Carver Owners Forum

Desperately need a generator specialist to work on my Onan. My marine mechanic has done his best but is struggling, frustrated, busy and I don't want to miss another season. There is one guy in Orillia but I've been warned by several boaters that he's a real crook. Any recommendations are welcome. Major problem is the starter re-engages periodically after starting. So far, new control board, starter, solenoid, starter relay, temperature and oil pressure sensors. Onan 3.0 MAJB marine.

Can anyone recommend someone? I will remove it and deliver it if necessary.

I can likely fix you up but I am located a ways north of you. (Sudbury) let me know if you are interested. If you are interested I have a few questions about your specific set up. Thanks.

I have no objection to Sudbury. I'm in Barrie. Ask away. I've got all the answers -except how to fx the damn thing. Here's a picture of what happened.

Genny runs great. Then it stalls out after 20 mins. Then 15. Then 5. I changed high temp switch, oil pressure switch, fuel filter, checked filter basket, impeller. Before I brought in a crook from Orillia. "Yer mufflers too big." Huh? "Yeah. It's overheating. Water is not exiting the muffler." Yes it is, it drains into an exhaust box. Did you put a gun to it? I did and it is not overheating. "That's why I don't like working for boaters. You guys think you know everything". Ka-Ching. $400 and he left a chewed up piece of gum on the control box. On-line forum (Smokstak) advises a vapour lock maybe? Loosen the fuel filler cap on the tank she draws from by a thread or two. I did. Problem solved!
Went away on holiday, fired up the genny and the starter starts re-engaging periodically after she starts. Sounds like grinding coffee intermittently. My regular mechanic thought it was the starter and had it rebuilt. Same problem. I changed the solenoid. Same problem. i pulled the genny over the winter and gave it to my mechanic. He changed to control board $590 part. It ran great on his bench. I installed it 2 weeks ago, same problem. Suspected the remote starter was sending a signal (this was the only thing different from running on his bench). Disconnected then reconnected the leads. Then nothing. Nothing at all. Couldn't even get power to it. I suspected the starter relay switch in the control box. He says no. He spent 4hrs on it Friday. I still have no genny.

I can't spend much more on it. This is just killing me. Is this something you want to tackle? Want to come to Port Severn or do you want it in Sudbury?

Also he suspects the control board is fried again and wants to "try" installing another $590 board. Whawhawhat??

Last point. My mechanic is a great guy. Good on the 454's but I just don't think gennys are his forte. He's trying to get me going but I don't think he wants to dick around with this anymore either.

Have you tried disconnecting the remote switch period, and see if it will run without the starter engaging again? There's also the switch on the generator's control box that could be causing the issue. Just thinking of the simple things first. I've had issues with those switches and the symptoms can get strange.

Would like to look at the wiring diagram and see if there is a possibility of a feedback current once the unit is running that would make the start circuit engage. If this possibility exists, they'd take preventive measures like incorporating a diode into the circuit. In such a case, if the diode failed, it may be possible for a feedback. Just thinking out load, would have to check the schematic. There are a few other possibilities but it looks like you've addressed them.

Just realized something; you have an Onan 3.0 MAJB in a 3807?

Yup. I'm not the original owner. Not sure what happened to the correct one. When it was running, 3.0 was fine providing I monitored the draw. Just couldn't run a few things at once.

You have three AC units?

Yes. 3 Air units that run independent from one another so I can only run one at a time.