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bitterroot · 09-10-2008, 01:30 PM

'05 Fleetwood Pioneer. Most of its life is spent in the backyard, but in the summer months is used extensively.
The unit( water heater) has or had an electric/electronic start feature: with a full battery & gas a person could depress a button in the cabin, hear an electric 'thud', the gas fire-up, and their would be hot water a few minutes later.

Unforunately this feature became inoperatable. Found that when the button was pushed to on, ran quickly outside & struck a lighted match in the burner, the burner would light and there would hot-water. Removed the igniter, a crude spark plug with a wire attached, & sanded the contacts with the wife's emery board with negative results. Stopped at a Camping World in Utah and the fellow told me that for $70 someone would identify the problem and that since the trailer was nearly three years old the repair could amount to $700, the cost of a new heater. On to Boise and another Camping World. After reading the Atwood manual , I thought the igniter gap might have been inproperly adjusted. The fellow at the parts desk brought out a replacement and told me that if I broke seal on the plastic package, the part would me mine at a cost of $48.00. I guessed the gap of the crude spark plug to be 1/8"-1/4 same as mine.

So any way, should I throw parts at this thing and hope I get it going, or should I spend a fortune at a reputable RV dealer?
Atwood MPD 93756(6 gal)
spark module #93801
electrode assy #93804
wiring haraness #93803

bitterroot · 09-10-2008, 01:30 PM

'05 Fleetwood Pioneer. Most of its life is spent in the backyard, but in the summer months is used extensively.
The unit( water heater) has or had an electric/electronic start feature: with a full battery & gas a person could depress a button in the cabin, hear an electric 'thud', the gas fire-up, and their would be hot water a few minutes later.

Unforunately this feature became inoperatable. Found that when the button was pushed to on, ran quickly outside & struck a lighted match in the burner, the burner would light and there would hot-water. Removed the igniter, a crude spark plug with a wire attached, & sanded the contacts with the wife's emery board with negative results. Stopped at a Camping World in Utah and the fellow told me that for $70 someone would identify the problem and that since the trailer was nearly three years old the repair could amount to $700, the cost of a new heater. On to Boise and another Camping World. After reading the Atwood manual , I thought the igniter gap might have been inproperly adjusted. The fellow at the parts desk brought out a replacement and told me that if I broke seal on the plastic package, the part would me mine at a cost of $48.00. I guessed the gap of the crude spark plug to be 1/8"-1/4 same as mine.

So any way, should I throw parts at this thing and hope I get it going, or should I spend a fortune at a reputable RV dealer?
Atwood MPD 93756(6 gal)
spark module #93801
electrode assy #93804
wiring haraness #93803

John Hilley · 09-10-2008, 03:57 PM

For a brand new water heater at PPL Motorhomes it is only $378. Do you have a light on your switch? It may be the 12 vdc connection. The circuit is simple to trouble shoot. Shouldn't be more tha 1 hrs work for a competent technician. Here is pricing from Mark's RV

Atwood Water Heater parts

Here is Atwood's trouble shooting list
Atwood water heater trouble shooting

Atwood support phone number & email

866-869-3118 option 5 before proceeding or service@atwoodmobile.com

Bobby C · 09-10-2008, 04:26 PM

Checking the 12v is a good suggestion. Also, check the thermocouple. Your Attwood owners and/or installation guide should tell you where it is. It will also have wires connected.

Since a match will not work, it most likely is the thermocouple or no gas supply. Could a dirt dober or spider clogged the gas supply line? Also, is their gas in the LP tank?

Gary RVRoamer · 09-10-2008, 05:29 PM

Since it lights by match, you have gas flowing but no spark on the igniter. The proper igniter gap is 1/8". Loose or corroded wires to the igniter are the most common cause of this problem, but it could also be bad igniter or a circuit board failure (no voltage to the igniter when required).

RedGuy · 09-10-2008, 05:45 PM

I'd imagine you could probably pretty easily convert that heater to a pilot modle with a few inexpensive parts. Or like said abouve you can pick a new heater up fro about $370, JCWhittney has them as low as $300 without electric mode. I haggled my locar RV dealer to sell me the same pilot/electric heater for the same price as JCWhittney.