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Old 08-07-2013, 07:18 AM   #1
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Help! Hot water heater isn't starting?

Hi folks. Need a little help please. We have a new 2013 Coachman Mirada 34bh with an electronic ignition dometic hot water heater. We are on our first long trip but have has several successful weekends with no problems. This morning I discovered that for some reason our hot water heater decided not to work. We have the electronic ignition and when I flip the switch inside it normally clicks until it lights, but now it sits quietly.

The indoor switch is getting power- it lights up blue when I turn it on. I double checked breakers--nothing popped.

Per instructions on the metal door outside, I turned it off and waited 30+ seconds and tried again--nothing.

I'm. Lose to a camping world if I need parts but don't know where to begin? Help??
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Old 08-07-2013, 07:19 AM   #2
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(Sorry about the typos--smart phone keys...'nuf said.)
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Old 08-07-2013, 07:36 AM   #3
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Presume you have propane and it works with other appliances. Try that first.

Then I suggest you have someone activate the HW switch while you have the outside door open and look or listen for a spark when the switch is selected. Sometimes the spark gap is a problem, or if the insulator is cracked it might short out. Had to replace my igniter electrodes one time because of a crack. Check for debris spiders etc around the igniter probe areas also.

The next check you can do with your multimeter. There will likely be a propane activation selonoid near the heater. See if that selonoid is working when you activate the on switch. You could just put your hand on the selonoid and feel the action also.

Hope this helps
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Old 08-07-2013, 08:12 AM   #4
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Thanks. I already verified that there is no spark action when I look while wife turns on switch. And it's clean as new in there so I don't think we have debris problems yet.

Does the igniter make noise even if it's too far away or too close to make a spark? I get no clicking noises at all?
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Old 08-07-2013, 08:19 AM   #5
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Also..what does that solenoid look like? I'm gonna be reaching in w my hand so kinda want a target to aim for.

Thanks much
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Old 08-07-2013, 09:20 AM   #6
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Re solonoid

Trace the gas line back from the burner, it will go into a box like device with 12v wires connected to it, I think most HW systems have a solenoid to open/close the propane flow as appropriate. The line from the tank will also go to this selonoid,

It only takes a small amount of debris to interupt the flow of propane in the very small orfice leading to the flame chamber. I cleaned my fridge lines with air and it cleaned out something I could not detect by looking at it.
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Old 08-07-2013, 09:45 AM   #7
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So..blow some air into the area where the starter goes? Will do but I get no clicking noise to begin with. I verified no open 12v fuses. Kinda stuck here...
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Old 08-07-2013, 09:52 AM   #8
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Also--verified that I have plenty of LP- the refridge will run on it, plus my bypass where I connect a grill had LP too.
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Old 08-07-2013, 09:53 AM   #9
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Make of heater may help.
Atwood sometimes blows a flame fuse that can be bypassed to see it it will work.

On edit see your picture. it is a Atwood.
At the brown wire unhook from the clear plastic fuse. bypass the fuse and hook brown wire direct. If it now works. Get a new fuse to replace bad one.
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Old 08-07-2013, 09:59 AM   #10
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Also--mistake on original post. This is an Atwood water heater, not Dometic
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Old 08-07-2013, 10:01 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triker56 View Post
Make of heater may help.
Atwood sometimes blows a flame fuse that can be bypassed to see it it will work.

On edit see your picture. it is a Atwood.
At the brown wire unhook from the clear plastic fuse. bypass the fuse and hook brown wire direct. If it now works. Get a new fuse to replace bad one.
Thank you for this! I yanked that fuse and boy is it tiny! Can't tell if it died or not... Can I just pull out that brown wire from the plastic housing without damaging it?? Or are you suggesting I cut it??
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Old 08-07-2013, 10:14 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Statgeek View Post

Thank you for this! I yanked that fuse and boy is it tiny! Can't tell if it died or not... Can I just pull out that brown wire from the plastic housing without damaging it?? Or are you suggesting I cut it??
Update--tried bypassing the fuse with my pliers and still got nothing. Any other ideas?
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Old 08-07-2013, 10:25 AM   #13
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I can't help you directly with trouble shooting the problem, at least not any more than the above posters.

You said it is a new 2013 motorhome? Have you called the selling dealer to see if they can provide any assistance as I suspect you are still under warranty? They might be able to locate a mobile tech to send out and fix your problem.
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Old 08-07-2013, 10:54 AM   #14
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Call the dealer, call Atwood.
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