Forum Discussion

JoeWebPage's avatar
JoeWebPage
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013

Weird Heater Issue

We have a 2012 Durango 325RL, and overall have had no real issues. But this one is really annoying. We're still under warranty, so guess when this trip is over, it's back to the dealer.

Ok, this is a pretty weird thing, but hoping somebody has heard of it or something close.

Our heater works great ... most of the time. The issue was thermostat ... or so I thought. It's been cool where we are at, so have the thermostat set at 63 for night. The heater comes on when it needs to. Then ... maybe on the next start up or maybe a couple later, it doesn't run. The only way I can get it to start back up is to put the thermostat switch to off and then back to on. Then it operates "normal" ... sometimes. Always starts back up, but eventually it will fault.

I thought it was the thermostat, so bought a really nice digital one. Same thing. So, it's not the thermostat. When this first happened, I included it in the list of issues we had with the unit, but the dealer obviously couldn't find anything wrong (BTW, very few issues and dealer fixed all our list, which was pretty short). I think the only way this can be duplicated is to live in it where it's pretty cool or even cold.

So, anybody have any body have any ideas. I'm thinking either the control board for the heater or the heater itself. It's a Suburban.
  • JoeWebPage's avatar
    JoeWebPage
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2013
    enblethen wrote:
    If the fan does not start up, it would not normally be sail switch issue.
    It could be thermostat or wiring to furnace, time delay relay (depends whether relay is on circuit board or separate part)
    2012 rig should have later model circuit board with time delay on board.
    Make and model of furnace would be helpful.
    Is the rig still under a warranty? If so try get them to fix it. Warranty of furnace can be separate from rig.


    As posted in original post, unit is still under warranty. Checking the book on the heater shows it also has a 2 year warranty, same as the camper, so is also under warranty. I also mentioned that is a Suburban heater, but here is the model number SF30f.

    Thanks all for replies, time to start checking all those items.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Aug 08, 2013
    Check the 12V connections to the unit. Remove and re-seat all the cables that pull into the circuit card.

    It also could be that they did not install enough ducking and it is doing an over temp shutdown. Make sure all your registers are open for max air flow. It might have extra blank outlets, if you can remove one of those that lets the heat come into the unit without damaging anything, that is a good air flow test. Seems the new units are very sensitive to air flow. Might just start with this.

    Chris
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 08, 2013
    If the fan does not start up, it would not normally be sail switch issue.
    It could be thermostat or wiring to furnace, time delay relay (depends whether relay is on circuit board or separate part)
    2012 rig should have later model circuit board with time delay on board.
    Make and model of furnace would be helpful.
    Is the rig still under a warranty? If so try get them to fix it. Warranty of furnace can be separate from rig.
  • JoeWebPage's avatar
    JoeWebPage
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2013
    enblethen wrote:
    The sail switch is a small switch with an arm sticking into the circulation portion of the furnace. It is activated by the fan during start up. The switch statys operated during furnace operation.
    If the sail switch does not activate the igntion system will not operate.
    It has a very small operator on the switch. A small spec or so of debris can prevent it from operating.


    Thanks, I'll have to take a look at that. However, I never hear the fan start up at all, but I might have slept through that I suppose. At this point I'm willing to try anything that someone can come up with.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 08, 2013
    The sail switch is a small switch with an arm sticking into the circulation portion of the furnace. It is activated by the fan during start up. The switch statys operated during furnace operation.
    If the sail switch does not activate the igntion system will not operate.
    It has a very small operator on the switch. A small spec or so of debris can prevent it from operating.
  • JoeWebPage's avatar
    JoeWebPage
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2013
    enblethen wrote:
    I would give the furnace a good cleaning. Pay special attention to the area around the sail switch.
    Use compressed air or use a strong shop vacuum.


    Pardon my severe lack of knowledge of heater parts ... what is the "sail switch"?
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 07, 2013
    I would give the furnace a good cleaning. Pay special attention to the area around the sail switch.
    Use compressed air or use a strong shop vacuum.

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