Visit our Popular Forums

susanborck · 12-20-2003, 04:10 PM

we have a '93 excella: 31' and are leaving for christmas trip in two days AND our hot water heater is not coming on!

we have gone through the restart process as described in the owner's manual multiple times to no avail. we live in the country so rv repair is not close by and then there is usually a long wait time.

is anyone aware of any troubleshooting we can do on our own? does this model have a water heater that has a part with frequently fails we could replace, etc? anything to "wiggle" or "tighten"?

thanks from dreading cold showers in texas!

thenewkid64 · 12-20-2003, 04:16 PM

Susan,

What type of ignition does the heater employ. Is it dsi, with a switch inside, or a standing pilot?

There are different techniques to correct the problem depending on the type.

susanborck · 12-20-2003, 04:25 PM

it is an electronic ignition system with an inside switch (in bathroom).

we can't find the 'eoc switch' which the owner's manual asks you check. where is it located on the trailer? (my husband is telling me this over my shoulder!)

don't know if either of these points answers your question. will read on in manual while i wait for your reply...thanks for such a quick response!

87MH · 12-20-2003, 04:25 PM

lighting the Water Heater with one or more burners on.

Sometimes a seldom used regulator will cause an overpressure situation on a closed system. One way to check is to check for a WH malfunction (no light) with one or two burners on.

thenewkid64 · 12-20-2003, 04:35 PM

Dennis hit the nail on the head. Light the stove.

This way you can be sure you are getting gas. The other thing is to listen for a tick tick tick when you flip the switch on the wall. Does the red light come on when you flip the switch?

john hd · 12-20-2003, 04:38 PM

do you hear it ticking? you should hear the "snapping" of the ignitor trying to get it lit.

i have one on my '92 excella and have done the following.

1) read the sticker on the inside of the heater, it will tell you what to do to get it reset in a "lockout" condition.

this means you need to remove the power supply for a couple of min. you can use your main coach dissconnect for this. it should be behind the couch in the very front of the trailer.

disconncect the power for a couple of min, and retry.

2) if there is no ticking heard, look at the electrodes in the burner tube and see if there is something shorting it out.

i have had problems with spiders getting across the contacts and shorting it out.

3) the gas is on right?

john

susanborck · 12-20-2003, 04:42 PM

unfortunately, our stove is inoperable and in need of replacement. the refrigerator will come on with the gas when we turn it over from the electrical and the heating has been working all along. has been cold here all week and we've kept heating on so we can work in trailer.

however, there is no ticking that one usually hears and the red light comes on and stays on.

does this tell you anything more?

john hd · 12-20-2003, 04:44 PM

susan

the red light "on" means it is locked out.

you need to remove power and try again.

john

susanborck · 12-20-2003, 04:46 PM

thanks to all of you for such quick replies.

john...george has gone back out to follow your instructions on the "lockout" condition by disconnecting the power supply. i will post another reply as soon as we have had the chance to see if that works!

keep your fingers crossed!

susanborck · 12-20-2003, 04:56 PM

john...the disconnect didn't work...any where to go to next? is it time for service?

can you tell me where the eco switch and thermostat are located? the owner's manual refers to these two parts in troubleshooting but we can't locate so we can continue.

john hd · 12-20-2003, 05:00 PM

susan

the thermostat and module are located on the outside of the heater.

look for a sticker on the heater, it should have a schematic of the wiring.

john

susanborck · 12-20-2003, 05:14 PM

john...it is dark out now and i am going to have to continue this myself tomorrow. i will go over the manual tonight, make sure all the adjustments etc. are right inclusive of your suggestion about "clearing out the spiders" etc. when i have done my thing tomorrow, i will get back online and see if i can find you for update.

maybe i can eliminate a few other possibilities.

ps...could the switch burn out if the red light was on for too long?

John · 12-20-2003, 05:21 PM

Susan,

I had to replace my WH pc board because I had the same situation; flip on switch and get a steady red light with no spark.

I believe there are 2 types and their about $110 ea.

Easy to install. Most RV center carry them.

Good luck-John

john hd · 12-20-2003, 05:21 PM

susan

i doubt it, but just go out and turn it off untill you can get back at it.

your idea to reread the manual is a good one.

troubleshooting in the daylight is a good idea also.

let us know how it turns out tommorrow.....

john

WayWard Wind · 12-20-2003, 07:28 PM

Susan--another idea, especially when it's dark, would be for one to watch the water heater pilot & burner on the outside , while another one could flip the switch. You should observe a sparking action as it trys to light the pilot. If you can see the sparks, but not lighting the pilot, then you may need to check if there is gas coming thru to the pilot. At this time unless you feel comfortable, it's time for a qualified service person to check it out. When it's time for vacation, that's when we all want to be in hot water. Hope all goes well & you end up in hot water.
Season's Greetings,

Big Dee · 12-20-2003, 10:59 PM

I bet its the circuit board, like John said. It went out on me on my summer trip. The service tech said they go bad ever so often and that I should carry an extra one. It is easy to replace once you know where it is but the board is expensive.

59toaster · 12-21-2003, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by John
Susan,

I had to replace my WH pc board because I had the same situation; flip on switch and get a steady red light with no spark.

I believe there are 2 types and their about $110 ea.

Easy to install. Most RV center carry them.

Good luck-John

Before replacing that board unplug it and inspect it for any sort of corrosion. Especially look at the plug on it.

If you find any corrosion a small brush and rubbing alcohol and clean it off and see if it works.

Gordon Watt · 12-21-2003, 08:07 AM

I had to replace the regulator on my 4 year old water heater this past summer. However it is a manual heater.

john hd · 12-21-2003, 09:02 AM

susan,

here is a link for atwood's trouble shooting guide.

it has a phone number and a e mail address for you to speak directly to them.

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/Service/...e/electric.cfm

john

john hd · 12-21-2003, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by susanborck
john...the disconnect didn't work...any where to go to next? is it time for service?

can you tell me where the eco switch and thermostat are located? the owner's manual refers to these two parts in troubleshooting but we can't locate so we can continue.

susan,

as requested, best photo i have.

john