Hot Water Heater not Staying on

[Bohowanderlust]

Hi there,

We need some advice. We boondock a lot, so we use our LP to heat our Hot Water. Lately, when we turn it on, it runs for a few minutes (NOT enough to heat water to temperature) and then shuts off. Then it repeatedly tries to kick on but can't stay on. After a few time of kick starting with no avail the DSI Fault light comes on. If we Switch it Off and On again, it will ignite stay on for a short while and then repeat kicking on and off again.

Also, at first the DSI Fault light would come on after 3 failed tries to ignite, now, it tries for like 6-8 times then the DSI Fault light comes on. Once it does the only way to get it trying again is to turn the Switch Off and On.

We goggled and did the following:

-Made sure we had a full propane tank

-Switched out the regulator

-Made sure all connections were tight . Took them all off, cleaned them, and put them back on.

-Replaced the Thermostat and ECO sensor.

-Made sure the fuse on the panel board was not blown

-Blew out the gas ignitor probe

We aren't close to our dealer or any dealer at the moment so if you all have any suggestions we are open to them.

Thanks!

[Carl n Susan]

The Suburban Water Heater Troubleshooting manual in the File section *HERE* should help you figure out what is wrong.

You will have to "download" the PDF.

[beeje]

I have had issues like you describe before. I took the burner tube off, blow compressed air through it and cleaned up the burn chamber and blew it out. All has been good for years. Spiders and such like to build there nests in there.

[AZ Traveler]

Doug,

I had a similar issue but not exactly the same when mine was under warranty and the dealer replaced the board on the water heater.

My heater did continue to work on electric so I would run my generator for 20 minutes to get hot water.

[shovelhead86]

It sounds to me like the gas solenoid is getting weak. there are 2. One opens to get element hot and then the other is supposed to open. It can be checked with a volt meter. I changed mine twice on my older Montana a 2007.

[Bohowanderlust]

Carl,
Thanks but I'm sure ours is an Atwood, would the troubleshooting be the same?

[Bohowanderlust]

Beeje, AZ and Shovelhead86,

Thanks for the tips. We were told we can take the board in to a dealership and have it tested, it's on our list to do. We'll be checking the burner tube and the Solenoid as well.

Thanks everyone!