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10-21-2011, 03:53 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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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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10-21-2011, 04:41 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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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.
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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10-21-2011, 04:44 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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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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10-21-2011, 06:48 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,691
M.O.C. #4831
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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).
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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11-12-2011, 01:14 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Aptos
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #11462
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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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11-12-2011, 03:26 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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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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11-12-2011, 03:48 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Nekoosa
Posts: 412
M.O.C. #5793
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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!
Roy
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11-12-2011, 04:03 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
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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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