Forum Discussion

tomkat4725's avatar
tomkat4725
Explorer
Oct 10, 2015

Atwood water heater ignition issue

Atwood water heater GCH10A-4E, 10 years old, original heater, works off of electric and propane. Has been working fine for many years. Recently though when I hit the switch for Propane it will fire for about two seconds and shuts off. It will run three of these cycles at which point I have to reset the switch. On the next go around it ignites and burns fine. Once I have been through this procedure if I shut the switch off and back on it will ignite and burn no problem the first time. The next day it will be back to not burning until the fourth time. I disassembled and cleaned the burner tube and the electrical connections but results still the same. I can live with it this way but maybe some part of the system is going bad. Any suggestions anyone?

4 Replies

  • tomkat4725's avatar
    tomkat4725
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2015
    Thanks Chris and Doug. You steered me in the right direction. I believe the problem is with the electrode. I took a closer look at it and it had a greenish scale on the metal tip. After cleaning it with emery cloth it fires first time every time now. The ceramic shield looks fine but there is some "caulk" on the hot side where the electrode exits from the ceramic which is crumbling off. I think I will order a new electrode and try to avoid future problems with it.
    Thanks!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 10, 2015
    Did you clean the main orifice?

    Also have someone turn it on at night when it's dark and watch for any sparking going on other than from tip of electrode ....
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Oct 10, 2015
    Odds are the Ceramic white insulator on the Spark Electrode has small cracks and "bleeds" current, Both the Spark and the return Current sense for flame. Replace it, it is cheap. Doug
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Oct 10, 2015
    Start by cleaning the circuit board connector and tightening all of the mounting screws for the burner- object to make sure the burner is well grounded.

    On edit, Dohh! You already did that. Check for continuity in the electrode. The wire can come loose from the probe and still fire a spark.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,256 PostsLatest Activity: May 21, 2025