Forum Discussion

routeforty's avatar
routeforty
Explorer
Dec 23, 2018

furnace refuses to light

Have a new Coachmen Leprechaun-checking everything, getting ready to head to Florida-found that the furnace refuses to light. Plenty of propane in the tank, batteries charged, electric plugged in, gas at stove, refer runs on gas, HWH ignites(it is beside the furnace). The fan comes on and I can hear the igniters clicking, but no fire. Bought the MH this spring and don't believe I have run the furnace since purchased. Can't get in at the dealer until 1-3-19. Any ideas?? Still under warranty, but the dealer is about 100 miles away, and it's getting too cold for me to hang around in Ohio much longer. Gary
Class C
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 24, 2018
    There is a small switch in the air chamber. It is called a "sail switch". The air movement in the chamber if sufficient sends power to the circuit board allowing the circuit board to energize the ignitor and the gas valve.
    Since you hear clicking that indicates power is getting to the circuit board.
  • routeforty's avatar
    routeforty
    Explorer
    Dec 24, 2018
    enblethen wrote:
    Check the multi-wire connector on the circuit board.
    Do you smell any propane?
    Get an electric heater!
    Sail switch should be OK as power is getting to circuit board.
    I tried to start it about a month ago, and thought I smelled a little propane then, but had no time to look at it until last Friday. Took the out side cover off and tried to start it several times. The blower will come on and the igniter will click for a couple seconds three times then it will shut down. Tried this several times with no luck or smell of propane. Hoping that maybe there is a valve that has never been opened. The dealer said they checked it during the PDI- who knows:h? We've only used the camper 3 times since we bought it-brand new.
  • routeforty's avatar
    routeforty
    Explorer
    Dec 24, 2018
    downtheroad wrote:
    I'll take a quick wild shot at it....not getting gas???
    All of our furnaces had a gas shut off valve. Look on the back side of your furnace...access from the outside and find the gas line. Make sure the valve is turned on.

    Good luck with it. Post back.
    I wondered about that. tomorrow weather permitting I'll take a look. enblethen, I don't know what a "sail switch" is. Been around RVs for years but gas things I have never messed with. Gary
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 24, 2018
    Check the multi-wire connector on the circuit board.
    Do you smell any propane?
    Get an electric heater!
    Sail switch should be OK as power is getting to circuit board.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Dec 24, 2018
    AFAIK, the clicking indicates it thinks there is gas to the burner, but not lighting means gas is not getting out of the orifice or something wrong with the gas shape or volume coming out, so the sparks won't light it.

    IMO you have to get at the "burner" where the igniter sparkers are and see if there is an obstruction or whatever.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 23, 2018
    Does it make any sounds? It could be dirty sail switch. Blow out the sail switch with compered air.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2018
    I'll take a quick wild shot at it....not getting gas???
    All of our furnaces had a gas shut off valve. Look on the back side of your furnace...access from the outside and find the gas line. Make sure the valve is turned on.

    Good luck with it. Post back.

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