Onan Fault 41

[seaskip]

I have an Onan 5 KVA diesel generator, model MDKAU.
We’ve only owned the boat for 6 months. The diesel side checked out well in a test before purchase. It’s run well since.
I now have a refusal to start. Primings sounds as normal. The engine turns over day twice, then stops.
Lights show 3 flashes. Fault code flashes 41.
I’ve checked the basics like battery and fuel. All seems fine.
The online searches I’ve done say an electrical side fault causing a shutdown.
Any suggestions very gratefully received.
Oh, I’m not an electrician or anything like it. 😄

[tkeithlu]

Neither am I. With no specific knowledge of that engine or its error codes, I recommend that you clean every connection from the battery to the ground for the starter. It sounds like you are not getting enough current through the starter motor.

[GordMay]

‘MDKAU ‘ Service Manual
➥ https://www.seapowermarine.com/seapo...ice-Manual.pdf
[9. Troubleshooting begins on page 49 of 66]

The genset controller provides extensive diagnostics by causing the amber status lamp on the control switch to blink.
Following a shutdown, the indicator lamp will blink 1, 2, 3, 4 or 7 times, pause, and then repeat the blinking.
The number of blinks is the shutdown code. Blinking continues for five minutes and stops. Pressing STOP three times restores blinking. (If you press STOP again, blinking stops entirely and you have to start over by pressing STOP three times.)
•One blink indicates shutdown due to high en-gine temperature.
•Two blinks indicate shutdown due to low oilpressure.

•Three blinks indicate shutdown due to a condi-tion normally requiring service by a trained andexperienced person.
To access the second-level, two-digit shutdown code, press STOP once. The two-digit code consists of 1 to 6 blinks, a brief pause, and then 1 to 9 blinks.
The first set of blinks represents the tens digit and the second set of blinks the units digit of the shutdown code number.

For example, Shut-down CodeNo. 23 blinks as follows:blink-blink—pause—blink-blink-blink—long pause—repea
t•Four blinks indicate shutdown due to a failureto start within the time allowed for cranking.
•Seven blinks indicate shutdown due to a lossof raw water flow for engine and exhaust cool-ing.

[seaskip]

Thankyou folks. I’ll proceed as much as my limited talent allows. ��
Gordmay, that checks out how I got the 41 code. ��
I’ll keep the book though. Great resource.

[Lepke]

If the engine starts and then stops, it's usually the oil or temperature sensor has failed. When pressing the starting button the sensors are bypassed. When you release the start button the sensors become active so low oil pressure or high temp will stop the engine. The sensor usually completes a circuit by going to ground. To troubleshoot, remove the sensor wire and start. If the engine continues to run it was a bad sensor. Some engines also have an exhaust temperature sensor.
I wouldn't run a generator with the sensors disabled for anything more than a few minutes.

[seaskip]

Thanks Lepke,
That’s interesting. I’ll try again tomorrow, but I’m pretty sure I’m holding the starter button down and it’s shutting down before starting.
Many thanks though.