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Old 10-21-2011, 03:53 PM   #1
ols1932
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Water heater on propane

Our water heater recently quit working on propane. Igniter works but the propane won't light. Was working well up until yesterday. Heater is five years old and in excellent shape. Will get it into an RV repair facility in Clovis, NM next week.

Orv
 
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Old 10-21-2011, 04:41 PM   #2
Bill-N-Donna
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Could it be a thermocouple? I remember someone else recently posting about not being able to get a pilot light to light. Let us know what you find out.
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Old 10-21-2011, 04:44 PM   #3
snfexpress
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If you have a Suburban water heater, check the solenoids that allow the gas to flow. There are two. Typically the one closest to the tank goes bad due to heat. Unfortunately the solenoids aren't easily available for purchase. But, you can buy a new gas valve for about $80 on eBay that comes with two new solenoids. Rather than replacing the entire valve assembly, just replace the solenoid that doesn't read about 40 ohms.
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Old 10-21-2011, 06:48 PM   #4
Carl n Susan
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Ditto what Mike wrote. Having replaced three solenoids (on three different rigs including one that is only four months old) in the last two months, it is 99% sure you have the same problem. Buy the new gas valve and now you have a spare solenoid for the next time (or when a friend's craps out).
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Old 11-12-2011, 01:14 AM   #5
Wheelhouse
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Check the tubes to be sure a spider hasn't gotten into them. We had that problem with an older motor home. They get in there and create the webs and lay eggs. Just a thought to look into.
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Old 11-12-2011, 03:26 AM   #6
ols1932
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The water heater was repaired by Bison RV in Clovis, NM. It was not working on propane because the igniter wire was pinched and shorted out. The owner put a new wire in and "voila" it fired the first time and has continued to work properly. If you ever need work done on your rig and you're in the area of Clovis, I highly recommend Bison RV for service. They also have a "Christmas" style store for goodies. You can't walk out of there without buying something. My theory is if they don't have it, you don't need it. Great place.

Orv
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Old 11-12-2011, 03:48 AM   #7
Lambchop
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Mine was sooty on the cover....running too rich. I took burner tube of & found a spyder web...Clean out & Works perfect now!

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Old 11-12-2011, 04:03 AM   #8
stiles watson
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I had the same issue - wire shorting out. Easy fix with new wire. In diagnosing, saw a spark between wire and some metal part. The red wire goes to the igniter, so spark never got to the propane. I also rerouted the wire so as to suspend it away from metal parts. Mine is an Atwood heater, not Suburban.

On the circuit board, there are led lights that are diagnostic. The meaning of the different flashes can be found in the brochure that came with the unit or online.
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