Community Forums

mcflop · 01-17-2022, 05:46 PM

2005 Fleetwood Expedition 38N front propane heater will not light. I only get a clicking sound from the roof when I turn on thermostat. The blower does not come on. The rear heater works fine.
Anyone had a similar problem?
Thanks
John

Trexoffroad · 01-17-2022, 06:32 PM

Watch this guys video(s). I think he does an excellent job describing how the propane heater works, what causes failures, and how to fix them.

I am going to pull both of mine tomorrow and replace fan motors and anything else that is bad.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F_dep_B8llA

trx430ex · 01-17-2022, 08:54 PM

It's the control board Been through this in November, many more people just like you doing this,, this time of year.

Common thing at this age.

As the heater starts, be looking at the board, if you see 3 flashes then one flash on the Led light on the board, it's done.

Error codes, replace board.

Be very, very careful removing the squirrel cage fan housing as it is very brittle and can crack upon removal.

It is 4 screws and a electrical plug.

Careful procedure wins the day.

mcflop · 01-17-2022, 11:00 PM

The blower comes on and the heater ignites then it goes out. This repeats three times and stops Then I get three flashes of the red LED light then three second break and then three flashes over and over until I turn off the thermostat.

Trexoffroad · 01-18-2022, 02:39 AM

It could very easily be the sail switch. Watch his videos. He explains very well how each component works. If you want to change the control board, feel free. But it may not be the problem.

okcnewbie · 01-18-2022, 04:23 AM

It lights so that would tend to say the sail switch is working.
Seems like flame sensing problem.
If you suspect circuit board you could swap with other furnace and see if problem moves with board.
When you start taking things apart you might be surprised with what you find.
It's not uncommon to find dauber nests all over.

trx430ex · 01-20-2022, 08:58 PM

Board...

Tha_Rooster · 01-21-2022, 04:45 AM

Op says he get a clicking sound from roof?

mcflop · 01-21-2022, 11:40 AM

After watching numerous videos I opened the furnace comp to take a look. The clicking sound was not coming from the roof but was the igniter atempting to light. I thought I would try the easiest thing first and used my electric blower to blow out the comp. I tried the furnace and everything worked perfect. I thought I might do the same thing with the other furnace that was working. Thought it couldnt hurt. Well, the good furnace quit working after blowing it out. Clicks, but wont light. The next day I checked the first problem furnace and it will not stay lit now. It goes on and off like you are turning the shut off switch on and off. I switched control boards to see if they were an issue and the problems stayed the same. I do not believe it is the control boards, I think it might be the sail switche on one and the igniter or or burner on the other.
If the sail switch is bad, will the igniter click but not have gas to light, or is it more likly the burner and igniter assembly?
I think the furnace that shuts on and off is the sail switch.

Thanks for any additional info
John

wolfe10 · 01-21-2022, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcflop

2005 Fleetwood Expedition 38N front propane heater will not light. I only get a clicking sound from the roof when I turn on thermostat. The blower does not come on. The rear heater works fine.
Anyone had a similar problem?
Thanks
John

Guess I am confused. Clicking sound from the roof??? How does this relate to the propane furnace? Or, do you have a reverse cycle room A/c and the roof unit is the one to signal the propane furnace to come on?

Since the propane furnace blower doesn't start, forget the sail switch (at least for now-- no blower, no way for the sail switch to close).

Check for 12 VDV to the furnace (outside access door). Unplug and replug connection to thermostat.

Pillbox · 01-21-2022, 12:03 PM

If it clicks, sail switch is good.
Check the gap at the igniter.
Propane? Check it.
Check the ceramic coating on igniter, check the burner for holes.
https://youtu.be/yjTbZEs5VwI
Watch this guy…
Terry

mcflop · 01-21-2022, 12:13 PM

After watching numerous videos I opened the furnace comp to take a look. The clicking sound was not coming from the roof but was the igniter atempting to light. I thought I would try the easiest thing first and used my electric blower to blow out the comp. I tried the furnace and everything worked perfect. I thought I might do the same thing with the other furnace that was working. Thought it couldnt hurt. Well, the good furnace quit working after blowing it out. Clicks, but wont light. The next day I checked the first problem furnace and it will not stay lit now. It goes on and off like you are turning the shut off switch on and off. I switched control boards to see if they were an issue and the problems stayed the same. I do not believe it is the control boards, I think it might be the sail switche on one and the igniter or or burner on the other.
If the sail switch is bad, will the igniter click but not have gas to light, or is it more likly the burner and igniter assembly?
I think the furnace that shuts on and off is the sail switch.

edge68474 · 01-21-2022, 12:21 PM

Check for loose wires. Mine was acting up like yours and I started wiggling wires. Then I found the one that was the culprit. I also heard clicking from the furnace area, then noticed it was touching the door. I taped it up. Problem solved. Also a good idea to disconnect all wires and REconnect them. I could not reach all of them on the furnace but I did the one's I could. Isn't RV electricity fun. Well, umm, kinda, lol.

mcflop · 01-21-2022, 12:28 PM

Thanks
Thats exactly what I did. pulled all connections apart and reconnected. Wiggling wires did cause the unit to start and stop, but I could not pin point the exact wire. It shut down when I wiggled different wires which was strange. Made me think wiggling wires was coincidental and that maybe it was the sail switch.
Thanks
John