Will Onan Generator with EFI Still Fire Up with Pull Cord if Battery Was Dead

Updated 08/25/2026 | Published 08/19/2026

Question:

Does this model, that has EFI, start without a functioning battery. I know a carbureted model will start, but with fuel injection I was concerned that with a dead or bad battery you could not even start it with the pull cord.

asked by: Kent D

Expert Reply:

Hey Kent, this is a great question but even with a dead battery the Onan 5,000-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator w/EFI # CM58MR will fire up with the pull cord. The alternator will spin as it's being pulled which will be enough to power the EFI system as well as the spark plug so it will start up. This also comes with a maintainer battery charger as well to prevent a dead battery. Do you have a generator currently?

expert reply by: Jameson C