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sherrylynne · 02-07-2018, 06:32 PM

Gas heater... turn the switch on, starts for 2seconds, turns itself off, will do this three times, then stops.
Any ideas? Thank you in advance.

DaveP · 02-07-2018, 07:04 PM

If you leave the outer door open that covers the water heater, will it stay lite?

Foiled Again · 02-07-2018, 07:21 PM

Year make model?

Newer Airstream with std Atwood heater?

The red light only comes on for a few seconds when it lights.... if it STAYS ON, you are out of propane. I know that seems counter-intuitive but that is the way it works.

n2916s · 02-07-2018, 07:24 PM

There is a little rod-like thermocouple that is in the flame path on mine. It tells the control board that the gas lit and is burning. If it fails or becomes dislodged, the board will think the gas never lit and will shut down and try again. After three tries, you are "locked out" until power is cycled.

You might check to see if it is in the flame and is still connected...

TexAirS · 02-08-2018, 11:54 AM

Try opening both tanks, turn the valve to both,and ignite the stove for a minute. When our fridge won't run on gas, this works. After it ignites, I move the valve to one tank and close the other.

Stale propane?

John

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 11:57 AM

Thank you for suggestion... just tried it. Did not work... but thank you.

Lag323 · 02-08-2018, 11:59 AM

On 2018 22FB Sport. The light only stays on for a second or 2 the turns off. This is normal. If light were to stay on, it’s not heating.

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 12:01 PM

Yes... Atwood heater... propane.. Airstream is 2007 International 23'. I am looking inside of the water heater area right now. I can see it is above my intelligence level. But with suggestions from here, one of my sons may be able to make the repairs.
Thank so much for your reply!

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 12:03 PM

Thank you. It works the same way on my 2007. We have not had a problem before. Thanks for your reply.

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 12:05 PM

Oh, I am pretty sure there is propane because the stove has propane, and I see the flame in the heater as it tries to stay on. Thanks for the info!

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 12:08 PM

I see the rod- thing... and I will show this post to my son when he gets back to the campsite. Thanks for the help.

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 12:14 PM

Thank you , John. I see there is flame for a few seconds each time the electronic ignition fires. And luckily we have "fresh " propane because we lived in the Airstream in our driveway after Hurricane Irma. We filled both tanks after the storm. I did have the refrigerator fail whilst on gas... took it to the dealer... he told me to go back out to the trailer and do exactly what you described. It worked! There was air in the line, and turning the burners on got rid of the air and the refrigerator started working again. Great advice!

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2916s

There is a little rod-like thermocouple that is in the flame path on mine. It tells the control board that the gas lit and is burning. If it fails or becomes dislodged, the board will think the gas never lit and will shut down and try again. After three tries, you are "locked out" until power is cycled.

You might check to see if it is in the flame and is still connected...

Update-- we have hot water! When my son got back to the campsite, I showed him this post. He pulled out the rod thing and cleaned part of it and reinstalled... apparently being young and invincible, there was propane still in the area... lost a little bit of arm hair.... but, we have hot water! Thank you everyone for your advice and help! You're the best!

Iron Doc · 02-08-2018, 04:34 PM

I had the same problem. Talked to a repair man at an RV center. His answer was to use compressed air and blow out the dirt, lint, spiders, and what ever else had made a home around the area inside the panel from the outside of the trailer. Be sure to use goggles and a dust mask to protect your face. When I did this, it worked fine - fired right up and kept working.
Good Luck!!

sherrylynne · 02-08-2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Doc

I had the same problem. Talked to a repair man at an RV center. His answer was to use compressed air and blow out the dirt, lint, spiders, and what ever else had made a home around the area inside the panel from the outside of the trailer. Be sure to use goggles and a dust mask to protect your face. When I did this, it worked fine - fired right up and kept working.
Good Luck!!

Thank you! We will take care of that when we get back home to the compressor!

CruizinDux · 02-09-2018, 09:20 AM

Semi annually I put a half of a lg dog flea collar in the refer & wh exterior openings to help keep the spiders away from the burn tube.
Bob

glhorner · 02-09-2018, 04:26 PM

I had the same problem. After cleaning it still did not light. I had to replace the ignition sense probe. it cost about $25

A W Warn · 02-09-2018, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherrylynne

Thank you! We will take care of that when we get back home to the compressor!

A leaf blower works pretty good also.

tommyglen · 02-10-2018, 07:58 PM

Water heater only lights when access door is open.

Seems not enough air moving to enable auto lighting.

Cured by slightly bending the bottom hinge side of the door OUT to increase ventilation. Not noticeable. Fixed the ignition problem and heater fires up every time.

DaveP · 02-11-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyglen

Water heater only lights when access door is open.

Seems not enough air moving to enable auto lighting.

I have exactly the same problem. I thought it might be related to the elevations we camp at in Colorado (8,000+ feet). Might have to try a little door bending myself.