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Old 05-16-2017, 12:07 PM   #1
Grunt4Life
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Water Heater Issue

So we were out this past weekend and the water heater just stopped working. Everything was fine on Friday but by Saturday afternoon no more hot water. Read through a lot of post and still not sure I know where to start. Here's what going on:
- Went to in command panel to see if it shutdown. Message popped up stating "Check Water Heater).
- Took a look and saw nothing unusual
- Reset main panel in unit (not at the water- it had not tripped)
- Went out to see what would happen- Tried to start 3x (heard clicking and smelled gas) but didn't light.
- Reset it again and grabbed a lighter. I was able to light it but it would only stay on for 5-10 sec. then shut down (Had a nice blue flame). Could repeat this over and over.
- Also tried shutting of LP tanks waiting an hour or so and then opening slowly and bleeding lines to stove burners.

So could this still be a solenoid issue since gas is present? What else could be the issue?

Oh- This is a brand new unit 2017 3911 model
 
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Old 05-16-2017, 03:24 PM   #2
jcurtis934
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The fact that you get propane to the burner says the gas valve solinoid is okay. The flame covering the sparked rod is supposed to supply ground to the system to keep it working. So my first guess based on the flame going out is that the wire rod is either bent to far away from where the spark jumps to OR the rod is oxidized and not providing a good enough ground. Take some steel wool or fine sandpaper and clean it. If you can see that it is bent, straighten it out some.
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Old 05-16-2017, 05:22 PM   #3
rohrmann
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Your water heater has a two year warranty from Suburban, so your dealer should be able to make this unit work. If you damage this unit attempting to repair it, your warranty is worthless. I would recommend getting it back to your dealer or any shop capable of repairing this water heater, and they should have no problem making repairs, even if they do not work on Montana rigs.
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Old 05-17-2017, 07:43 AM   #4
Grunt4Life
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M.O.C. #19232
Thanks for the feedback. Connectors are clean and don't appear bent. One correction though... There is only one click when it tries to starts up (think that's the solenoid) and i'm not seeing any spark.
- I've tried resetting the breaker for water heater
- Checked all connections (even disconnect/re-connected) everything is tight/clean

Is there a fuse that controls the spark rod? Trying to learn how things work, figure it's better for me to learn now then wait... Can always take it in. rohrmann- Good advice- Will make sure I'm VERY careful not to break anything!
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Old 05-17-2017, 08:45 AM   #5
uhftx
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I don't know the model # of your unit but try this link. The troubleshooting portion should be similar to all units.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...Fffxlk_DVOXB3w

This is the MFR's web site but their online documentation is lacking but the FAQ may be helpful.
http://www.airxcel.com/suburban/service-support/faqs
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Old 06-07-2017, 08:54 PM   #6
stengels
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Here's another issue that perhaps someone can address for me. I have generally always run both electric and propane for my water heater and it has always done great. Last weekend, one of my tanks ran out. The other tank is virtually full. When the temperature in the tank drops to the certain level, the DSI FLT red light comes on. I can go out and hear the igniter going, but it doesn't always light. I think from reading that after 3 sequences, it stops trying. If I switch the gas switch off on the console, then turn it back on, it will ignite about half of the time. Any thoughts.
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