Onan 6.5 MCCK Starting Help

BottomLine · Post by **BottomLine** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:50 am

Generator has been running fine. Yesterday I went to start it and it turned over and caught right away but when I took my finger off the rocker switch it died. Same thing for several more tries and as long as I kept the switch depressed it would run (starter motor too)but as soon as I stop depressing the rocker switch it dies. Any thoughts? Thanks. Mike Ford

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:22 am

Voltage regulator?

inspector · Post by **inspector** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:39 am

sounds like a ballast resistor in the starting circuit, if it has one. A ballast resistor gives the ignition coil full battery volatge for starting, but reduces voltage to the coil,points after releasing the starter to give longer life. If the ballast is open, the engine will die when you release the starter.

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:39 am

Mike, Don't you have one of the older MCCK's? The genny itself is used to start the motor, no separate starter motor. I believe there are three different safeties in the running circuit. Think it's lo oil pressure & two different over temp sensors.(I could be wrong) You can put a jumper wire on each of them to temporarily bypass them. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

BottomLine · Post by **BottomLine** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:26 am

Al: I replaced the original in 1987 (perish the thought)and it has a starter motor. It has high water and exhaust temp and low oil pressure cutout switches. Do you know if these are bypassed when the rocker is depressed to start it? Mike

richcatch22 · Post by **richcatch22** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:40 pm

Yes, they are bypassed by depressing the rocker switch until the generator is up running and oil pressure rises. Assuming you held the switch for enough time for the oil pressure to rise, sounds like one of the safety switches is not working. Capt Rich Catch 22 1989 33 FBC

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 5:47 pm

I thoiught the same thing 3 years ago after I did a bunch of work to mine and re-installed it in the boat. They also need to sense that the generator section is putting out current . Turns out I couldn't keep it running even after by-passing the safety swtches , so to make a long story short, ****canned it and put in the westerbeke that I have now. Best move I ever made. Working on old Onan gensets is like trying to keep an old outboard running, it's not worth the egrevation.(to me)

Miss B · Post by **Miss B** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:34 pm

Try this web site. It was very helpful for me for Onan genny info: http://www.perr.com/forum.html

BottomLine · Post by **BottomLine** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:55 am

I appreciate the suggestions. Does anybody have a wiring diagram for this unit? I know there is one on the inside of the control box cover but mine is not very readable. Mike Ford

greysole · Post by **greysole** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:19 am

Hi Mike Here's an adobe pdf (portable document format) file that I scanned of my 6.5 Onan Manual trouble shooting chart includuing a wiring diagram. It took me a while to figure out how to get it up on the site. hopefully you will be able to download it & open / print it using Adobe acrobat reader. If not send me an email gamrhein@rheinner.com and I will send you the pdf file directly. Good luck [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/Onan Genny Trouble Shooting.pdf[/img] Gerard FREEDOM 86 SF Marina Bay Green Pond

greysole · Post by **greysole** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:25 am

Mike, if you right click on the small colorful box above my signature it should open up the file, if adobe is already loaded on your computer. At least it worked for me. I think that since it is not a picture file it shows up in this odd fashion. cheers Gerard FREEDOM 86 SF Marina Bay Green Pond

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:35 am

Gerard, I have Adobe on my PC and I cannot launch the file. All I see is a rex X. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

BottomLine · Post by **BottomLine** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 5:47 am

Gerard: I can't get it to open either. I'll send you my e-mail.

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:50 am

Right click on the "image" and click on "Open Image". It will open a download box for the pdf file.

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:52 am

Or click on the link below to download it. http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads ... ooting.pdf