Water Heater does not heat

[Alan and Mardel]

We have the original water heater in our 1963 Ambassador. The pilot lights and stays on, but the unit does not heat water. Is the water heater dead or could it have anything to do with the 12V system? The 12V system does not have a battery hooked up to it at the moment because we are working on a problem with that system as well. Criminy!

Thanks for the help!!

[thenewkid64]

The 12 volt system has nothing to do with the main burner firing off on the water heater.

Since the pilot will light and stay lit, you may have a problem with the thermostat. Try adjusting it to all the way hot or moving it back and forth a few times from stop to stop. There is a bi-metal valve that opens the gas valve to allow the main burner to light. This valve is normally in the thermostat. If it is shot, and the water heater is OEM you may be hard pressed to find a replacement thermostat.

Good luck!

[Astrodokk]

I had this problem with my MH. When I took it to an rv place, they said the circuit board was old and not working, so they replaced it. When it still wouldn't light, they tapped on the valve pipe to jar it loose, because since it hadn't been used for years, it was stuck. After some hammering, it lit up. So you may have a stuck valve, Try pounding on it with a hammer first before replacing thermostat. I don't know if you have the circuit board out there or not.

[Navigator]

A circuit board on a hot water heater??????

[Astrodokk]

Yeah, I was surprised too, but I saw him remove the severely corroded old one and put in the new one. 4 screws is all it took.

It is called, according to the invoice, a PC Board, part # 39-0410.

Mind you this is a MH...as I said earlier, I don't know if trailers have that. Maybe a hammer is all that's needed.

[john hd]

Originally posted by Navigator
A circuit board on a hot water heater??????

yep!

my '92 has pilotless ignition.

works well!

john

[Mike76251]

I have a Atwood water heater that is nearly new and it has no circuit board at all.
I know because I made sure I order one with no darn board to fail.
The original heater from 1972 didn't have one either.