Figger me this.

[Bbqjoe]

Onan generator. Sat for 10 years. Ran when put away.
Mice got to the wiring.
I went through the wiring harnesses and repaired each wire one by one so as not to mix anything up.

I found some burnt and lifted traces on the control board.
No telling why, but quite possibly due to some shorts from the mice.
Went ahead and replaced the board, the fuel pump, filters, oil etc.

This is out of an RV, and has been stand alone forever.

The engine cranks, maybe not getting fuel to the carb, but that's beside the point.
I pulled the plug and did a spark test.

The start switch is new with the board, and comes mounted on it.
The switch is a two or three way rocker, depending on how you see it.
One direction is start, after start it rests in the middle, until rocked the other direction to stop.

There is no spark when cranking, until I let off the start switch, then I see a couple of sparks as the engine quits spinning.

 

[Kartorbust]

Ignition coil could be trashed and needs replacement.

 

[Whitetrashrocker]

On my Onan, the off side of the button also serves as a fuel pump/primer when held.

 

[Joe-405]

The switch could be shorting out inside it.

 

[Bbqjoe]

Someone elsewhere suggested jumping the starter.
I knew I was trying to think of that.
Gonna try tomorrow.

The switch is fine. It's doing the same thing as before I switched the CB.

 

[itsid]

sticky points? (assuming it's a points ignition)
weak/dead coil? (if... it's likely a leak)

or a weak connection on the cable (a missed crack for example)
bare wire acts like a wick and thus water can affect a wrapped section of the wire ...
have you tested (for continuity of course) all wires after your repair?
even under "mechanical stress" (i.e. whilst bending the wires around a bit)

'Sid

 

[Bbqjoe]

sticky points? (assuming it's a points ignition)
weak/dead coil? (if... it's likely a leak)

or a weak connection on the cable (a missed crack for example)
bare wire acts like a wick and thus water can affect a wrapped section of the wire ...
have you tested (for continuity of course) all wires after your repair?
even under "mechanical stress" (i.e. whilst bending the wires around a bit)

'Sid

I've only attacked the obvious things like the non-functioning fuel pump, gnawed wires etc.
I probably need the check all the slip-on connections and things like that.
Some places are pretty small to get into.
I need to find me a 10 year old little Japanese girl with tiny hands to rent.

 

[itsid]

tiny hands... I know the one to ask *giggle* but he wouldn't be of any help (he never is)
Aaaaaaanyways...
yes, I'm afraid wiring harnesses are a pain to troubleshoot, even for small engines.
The best advice I could give you is:
Take your time, take notes and work your way through each set of connectors one by one.

Sometimes, two wires shortened out at a hidden location (passthroughs, or sharp corners, or behind some cover or something) so you have continuity in each one but due to the wrong signal at times.
It's just yuck! But with patience you'll get it done eventually.
And compared to that poor chap who messed with a wiring harness on a 1980s VW rabbit some years ago, you're basically the lucky one

'sid

 

[Bbqjoe]

tiny hands... I know the one to ask *giggle* but he wouldn't be of any help (he never is)

That one flew over my head.

And compared to that poor chap who messed with a wiring harness on a 1980s VW rabbit some years ago, you're basically the lucky one

'sid

Do tell.

 

[B.M.800]

I have a mid 70s sears suburban with an Onan.

I had some trouble with no spark, we figured the coil was bad. Took it to the local electric shop, told them what was going on and they tested the coil. It was fine.
He said it could be the plug wires grounding out or something to that effect... $5 or $6 later I had new plug wires.

While the gas tank wasnt leaking out all the gas, that seemed to do the trick.

 

[Bbqjoe]

Well...isn't this special????

Inside the whole mess, right on the engine side of the generator, are two Farking PLASTIC arms with magnets that excite the ignition module.

A common occurrence: Mice build nest, engine gets turned over, plastic arms get hung up in nest, arms break.

I'm going to have to split this darn thing to replace it.

I wish engineers would stick to driving trains. :brickwall:

 

[Bbqjoe]

I have an idea.
I looked at the service manual to disassemble the gen side from the engine.

Holy Frijoles!!!!
You have to completely tear down the generator, removing the brushes, rotor, coils... la la la, just to get to the stupid plastic part with the two magnets.

What's to say I can't mount the ignition module above the cooling fan in the rear, and attach two magnets to the fan corresponding to tdc?

 

[Hellion]

Why are you even bothering? Haven't you been paying attention to the forum (cult) mantra? The mantra states that: if it doesn't work, buy a Predator.

If you attain the highest levels in the church, you may be permitted (nay, earn the right) to own an exclusive 'Red Label' Predator. They're not mythical as once thought...

 

[Bbqjoe]

Why are you even bothering? Haven't you been paying attention to the forum (cult) mantra? The mantra states that: if it doesn't work, buy a Predator.

If you attain the highest levels in the church, you may be permitted (nay, earn the right) to own an exclusive 'Red Label' Predator. They're not mythical as once thought...

Cool mang! Thanks for the input.
But it ain't gonna spin what I need it to spin.

 

[Kartorbust]

Needs a 420 probably at minimum.

 

[Bbqjoe]

Needs a 420 probably at minimum.

It's gonna work.
If it doesn't, it can sit for another ten years.

 

[Bbqjoe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE2SGqMLyZ4

Here's where I got to today.
For some reason, it seems to work better running a positive wire to the positive side of the coil.

Maybe still a bad connection somewhere?

 

[chancer]

That one flew over my head.


Do tell.

Marco Rubio Accused Mr Trump of having Tiny hands and "stuff" in the Primary last year!

 

[Bbqjoe]

I'm seeing that my cinematic skills are going to waste here.

 

[Kentucky Boy]

Maybe a stupid idea but can you glue the plastic back together?

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 AM ----------

Ok I just watched your video...nevermind the glue idea