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Old 01-17-2020, 04:03 PM   #1
BarkingCrow
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Thought it was the sail switch, but...

2019 Montana High Country 331RL

We've had instances where the furnace would try to come up, but it wouldn't ignite and would eventually shut itself off (after about 30 seconds) and wouldn't attempt to come back until the on/off switch on on the unit is reset. All of my research and discussion with the dealer seemed to point to the sail switch. I even have the '1 blink per 3 seconds' of the troubleshooting indicator, which again, points to the sail/limit switch. It could also be a problem with airflow, but I cannot find a single problem with the airflow.

I found a replacement sail switch online, ordered it ($15, so I was pleased) and replaced the switch when it came in. Other than the color of the plastic housing of the switch being different the switch is identical to the one it is replacing. So, replacement done... let's bump up the furnace to see if it works.

Pretty much the same thing. The unit kicks on, pauses for 5-10 seconds and it tries to ignite. It does sometimes ignite and blows wonderfully hot air but only for about 5 seconds. Sometimes it might be 15-20 seconds, but eventually it cuts off. The blower motor is still running, but it eventually turns off as well.

What am I missing here?

Thanks in advance,

D
 
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Old 01-17-2020, 04:08 PM   #2
Razrbk
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I had a similar problem. It was my control panel (got wet). I replaced it and sealed the outside door and it has worked fine.
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Old 01-17-2020, 05:25 PM   #3
mtlakejim
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It could also be a bad high limit switch or even a loose wire. There are a few wires they use spade type connectors on. Not uncommon for those connectors to be partially pushed together but not making actual contact.
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Old 01-17-2020, 05:57 PM   #4
Sdgood1
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Check voltage to the unit too! Just something else to check!
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Old 01-17-2020, 06:09 PM   #5
DQDick
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I also had water shorting out the board.
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Old 01-18-2020, 04:05 AM   #6
airboatart
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I also had water short my board. I replaced it with one i got on line been working fine for two years.
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Old 01-18-2020, 06:05 AM   #7
Bill n Susan
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Also had the same issue turned out to be lose wire at control board from thermostat
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Old 01-18-2020, 06:52 AM   #8
richfaa
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Same here water on board.
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Old 01-22-2020, 01:31 PM   #9
TDury
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I had a similar problem. Mine turned out to be the burner. It had rusted shut and would not let gas pass through it. I live in Florida and the humidity must have got to it. I now regularly light the furnace to "dry" it out. The burner was about $40 and 15 minutes to change out. Simple job with just a screwdriver.
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Old 01-22-2020, 01:35 PM   #10
Hamlej
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Just had this issue in Quartzite. Went through the whole process of hunt and peck for the culprit. What finally worked for me was to reset the thermostat.
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Old 01-22-2020, 01:46 PM   #11
SJ294
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2020 294RL. Same issue had to replace thermostat, sail switch & high temp. Per the tech who repaired the issue, he claimed that Dometic/Atwood has known of these issues for quite some time.
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Old 01-22-2020, 02:48 PM   #12
Seasonalcamper
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I own a 2017 3950br and had this exact issue last year... i had a authorized repair tech for Atwood come to trouble shoot unit and found out the blower motor was not reaching full speed causing sail switch not to engage. He said the blower motor was magnetized. he replaced the blower motor and sail switch and now it works. i also replaced my 3 yr old battery... heard that to could be issue....to see if this is remedy remove the outside cover and see if unit work at that time be sure to install furnace tube
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Old 01-22-2020, 03:16 PM   #13
DaveK
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My rig is approaching one year old. I will test the furnace the next 6 weeks in FL. I'm gonna time the furnace cycle. I sense it works well if I increase the thermostat setting, but not exactly sure.

By the way, how do you access the furnace blower and sail switch?
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Old 01-22-2020, 03:41 PM   #14
Hooch on Wheels
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Two weeks before we left for the winter I thought it prudent to make sure the furnace worked. You guessed it, nada. Long story short. After an hour and half of looking our repairman found the culprit. There it was, stuffed down in a hole, two wires connected together using the wrong type of connector. They had worked lose, NO HEAT FOR YOU!!!!
About the time we get ready to sell or trade, this thing will be in perfect condition.
We love our Hooch on Wheels!
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Old 01-22-2020, 04:10 PM   #15
Seasonalcamper
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The blower motor and sail switch is located behind the panel on the outside of your trailer where the exhaust comes out
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Old 01-22-2020, 04:26 PM   #16
Bill M
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Check all wires for loose connections. Found one thermostat wire had bad connection which gave your problem. Fixed that, unit works as advertised.
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Old 01-22-2020, 06:15 PM   #17
paulinbaja
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On the back of the heater, inside the back cover, is a "clicks-on" high limit switch. Put a jumper on it and try again. If that works remove and replace. The color dot determines the correct switch. Available at most RV repair joints
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Old 01-22-2020, 07:34 PM   #18
Firebush
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Hello. Go to You Tube and search My RV Works with a fellow named Darin in Washington or Oregon. He has some great videos on repairs to RV mechanicals. If your handy and follow his instructions, you'll be surprised what you can fix on your own. I'm a newby to all this but the videos have taught me a great deal. I believe he has a video on just your problem
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Old 01-22-2020, 07:58 PM   #19
T Shelley
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We have a 2018 Montana 3931FB and have replaced the sail switch twice. Same problem (similar to yours) keeps occurring.
In case you are not aware, there is a replacement sail switch kit (33082) which replaces 33063.
It contains the same sail switch but has a different bracket which changes the angle of the blade. I believe that Dometic is replacing the switches free of charge for 2017 & newer however it must be ordered by a Dometic certified tech. Of course they are back-ordered.
As a temp fix I took my sail switch & held the narrow part of the blade w needle nose and carefully bent the wider portion of the blade about 10 degrees "into the wind" of the blower. It has been working great for 3 days. Good luck!
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Old 01-23-2020, 09:35 AM   #20
wersqu
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furnace issues

I do not have a Montana anymore SOB but the same furnace. It has gone out 7 times. First we replaced the circuit board, then the sail switch. The next time the service tech thought it was a voltage problem and put the furnace on a different circuit. Took it to the factory where they thought it was a thermostat problem and replaced the thermostat. When we picked up our unit the first thing we tried was the furnace. It did not work. They unhooked our unit and took it back in to the factory and replaced the furnace. I believe I actually had two problems. First the furnace would run but not ignite. The redesigned sail switch I believe fixed that. Te second half, the furnace would light, run and never come back on until you reset the switch on top. My current unit does not have access from outside so the whole wall has to come down. The factory personnel thought it now was the high limit switch actually doing it's job but the way the duct hoses were hooked up was keeping too much heat in the furnace and kicking out the high limit switch. With the addition of the new furnace and this adjustment, we have not had any further problems. This is a short paragraph of a very long and frustrating problem I feel not related to the manufacturer of the rigs but of the furnace itself. Good luck!!!
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