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Old 05-21-2023, 09:56 AM   #1
sechternkamp
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Water heater problems 2018 "will not light"

Good morning all, my DSI light is on in my panel. Now I only have electric heat which is not that hot for long. After advice from several people I replaced the mother board and it worked for a couple days and then off again. BTW I live full time in this so It's hard to take it in to the shop.
I have plenty of gas pressure as all other gas units work perfectly.
My fuse is good, and I hate to through money at this thing trying to guess what might be the problem.
Thanks for any help, cold showers in Washington
 
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Old 05-21-2023, 10:13 AM   #2
Carl n Susan
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More information about the behavior would help. Does it attempt to light and fail? Can can hear the igniter clicking? Is there a smell of propane? Are there obstructions (wasp nest) in the burner tube? What more can you tell us?
In the Files section (look for the link in the thin brown ribbon above) are two manuals of the Suburban Water Heater that may help.

The Suburban Water Heater Service & Training Manual
and the Water Heater Troubleshooting - Suburban


P.S. Where in Olympia are you located?
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Old 05-21-2023, 10:20 AM   #3
sechternkamp
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Morning Carl, it doesn't attempt to light, no smell or obstructions.
I'm in Nisqually.
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Old 05-21-2023, 11:15 AM   #4
rohrmann
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Have you tried pushing the reset buttons on the black box that has the thermostat/Hi-limit devices? I believe the right one is for the gas mode.
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Old 05-21-2023, 11:37 AM   #5
sechternkamp
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Morning Bob and Becky, yes, I have, to my knowledge I've tried everything that I can do.
But I don't yet know the "tricks of the trade" for this issue.
Thanks for responding
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Old 05-21-2023, 12:01 PM   #6
Carl n Susan
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Weird! It worked after changing the motherboard and now it doesn't. I don't know anything about the motherboard. I hope it didn't suffer "infant mortality" and give up after a few usages. But AFAIK, if the gas valve solenoid doesn't click to open the valve and ignite the flame, it likely is a motherboard issue.
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Old 05-21-2023, 12:34 PM   #7
DadsHemi
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I had that happen last year, ended up replacing the thermostat limit switch.
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Old 05-21-2023, 12:43 PM   #8
Carl n Susan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DadsHemi View Post
I had that happen last year, ended up replacing the thermostat limit switch.
Well that is a inexpensive thing to try.
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Old 05-21-2023, 04:01 PM   #9
rohrmann
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This is the part for the gas side of the water heater. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R6KJJ3Q...2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
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Old 05-21-2023, 04:11 PM   #10
Carl n Susan
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I believe you can jumper around the switch to see if the heater lights. Don't try to run it that way.
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Old 05-23-2023, 07:39 AM   #11
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Rather then keep buying parts that you may not need use this short PDF I put together for TS the Suburban WH in LP mode...

Have a helper turn on the WH in LP mode while you stand outside and place your fingers across those two LP solenoid valves.. If they are getting 12 vdc signal from the ignitor board you will feel both of them clunk when they open.

** Both must open or no LP will flow
** You should also already be hearing the ignitor firing when those two solenoids open

You can easily measure for 12 volts DC across the WH thermostat for the 12 volt side to verify its working before buying that part
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Old 05-23-2023, 09:02 AM   #12
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I had a reset button assembly go bad while in Durango. Don't remember how I figured that it was the problem, but it was. Went to a local dealer and they had 1 in stock. Fixed the problem.
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Old 05-23-2023, 10:31 AM   #13
Carl n Susan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckS View Post
Rather then keep buying parts that you may not need use this short PDF I put together for TS the Suburban WH in LP mode...
Thanks Chuck! That is a great diagnostic aid. I have added it to the File section for future reference.
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Old 05-25-2023, 02:13 PM   #14
jackel1959
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Good afternoon,
IF the water heater won't run on gas the problem is more than likely one of these 2 solenoids: https://www.amazon.com/Suburban-5210...%2C155&sr=8-53 They are located behind the gas valve and control the flow of gas to ignite the water heater. I have had them go bad on me and other MOC members rigs. I carry spares with me now because I have found they will go out at the most inoportune time. I have included some pictures of where they are located. It is a pretty simple fix, but requires a bit or disassembly. I would replace both of them to be on the safe side.

Jack
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Old 05-26-2023, 12:27 PM   #15
Ml barber
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Thermal couple won't let heater light if it is bad. Very easy to replce
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