Water heater won’t work

[porthas]

Hey folks,

We have a 2016 FC 30FB with dual water heater. It quit working on us and I’m stuck trying to figure it out. The bathroom switch would usually light up for a sec or so while it ignites, but it no longer does so. To be clear, I flip switch, gas or electric, and it won’t even blink with red light. It’s like the switch is dead. Check all fuses and replaced one but it didn’t do it. Any clue of what the issue might be? I’m guessing it is something electric

[GCinSC2]

porthas,

This is a tank type water heater with propane or 120VAC heating correct?

Lets start on propane it's easy to see if it is working. Can you confirm that your propane system is functioning correctly? Just light a stove burner for a few seconds, nice blue flame I hope. If not that's a starting point.

Next this is best done with two people. One inside to turn on PROPANE heating and the other outside to listen and observe.

When the propane switch is selected the ignitor should be sparking, click-click-click etc like a gas grill. And the propane solenoid also clicks. You can put a finger on it and feel the coils snap the valve open.

And if you see anything questionable on the outside of the water heater take a pic and upload so others can look for issues.

Keep the feedback coming.

Gary

[Daquenzer]

Have you touched your tank to see if it is hot? If it is….

Mixing valve problem? I suspect you have a mixing valve. These can go bad or get encrusted with junk that prevents the thermostat on them from opening up the hot water from the tank.

If it is your mixing valve….you can get a new one….or you can try taking it off and soaking it in white vinegar for a few hours. I’ve had to do that several times….and it works.

If it isn’t….then it’s something else. You would think if the igniter is the problem it would still work on electric….

But you can easily tell if the igniter is working. Just open up the outside compartment and look…and also touch the tank to see if it is hot.. If hot it is your mixing valve.

[porthas]

@GCinSC2
Yes it's a dual type tank.
Propane is working, flame is good from the stove. When i have someone turn on the switch, absolutely nothing is heard or happens on the outside where tank is. No ignition, or clicks. Nothing questionable on the outside, all looks to be in order.

@Daquenzer
It is cold, both when doing gas or electric.

[GCinSC2]

porthas,

Can you provide the model number of the tank. This might help pin down troubleshooting tips.

I recommend taking a few minutes and visit https://myrvworks.com/manuals/ and you can download various types of manuals for RV appliances and more, no charge. On Darren's YouTube channel he has many water heater diagnostic videos.

Are you handy with tools and a multimeter a DIY type or a do it for me DIFM? No offense its just a question.

Look on the control board top right corner, do you see a 2 amp blade type fuse? Use a fuse puller (I bet your tow vehicle or car will have one with the fuse block area) pull that fuse and look and if possible test with an Ohm meter to check if its blown.

This is a copy of an Atwood service manual for water heaters and it does have a trouble shooting guide.

Keep the feedback coming.

Gary

[porthas]

Definitely handy with a multimeter and other tools. The water heater is Atwood GE-9 ext. The fuse in the heater tested good. I will check the resources you sent and see if I can find something. Thanks!

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by porthas

@GCinSC2
Yes it's a dual type tank.
Propane is working, flame is good from the stove. When i have someone turn on the switch, absolutely nothing is heard or happens on the outside where tank is. No ignition, or clicks. Nothing questionable on the outside, all looks to be in order.

@Daquenzer
It is cold, both when doing gas or electric.

Not your mixing valve then. The fact that both the electric and the gas does not come on indicates it could be a thermostat problem.

Search atwood water heater in RV is not heating.

There is a video that shows you how to troubleshoot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYzqP2BFrMk

[davetoregon]

Good video but left me with a question. I'm having the same problem as the original poster. The video shows 2 little red lights on the control board. Question - Are they supposed to be lit when board (and thermostats) are working properly? Or do they light up on thermostat failure?
Thanks!

[porthas]

so my issue ended up being thermal cut off, easy and quick fix, but diagnosing it was the biggest issue, because I couldn't understand why the switch in the bathroom won't light up either the electric or gas. I took multimeter and tested the wires coming to the main board of the water heater.

I first checked the wire coming into the board from the switch, brown and white (one for gas and other for AC), both had ~12.5 coming in. Then I took it down the wire coming into thermostat and then thermal cut off. So everything was on before thermal cut off and nothing right after, that's how I figured it was the issue. Easier would probably just be plugging it directly without thermal cut off for testing purposes only, would save me a lot of time.

PS. The switch supposed to light for fraction of a second and then go off. Mine didn't do anything, no light at all.