Hello. We recently purchased a one owner travel trailer. It's a 2003 26 foot travel lite. The gentleman we bought it from said he never used the furnace and rarely used the hot water heater. The hot water heater works on electric, but not on gas. The furnace fan kicks in when I turn it on and it tries to light a few times (hear the click), then shuts off. I undid the gas line to the furnace and it is getting gas. All breakers and fuses are good. Stove works great and the fridge works great on either gas or electric. Any thoughts????Thank you in advance!!!

First thought......Brand/Models??

first thought on the furnace: stuck "sail switch."

First thought new battery? New propane regulator and pigtails? This stuff don't last forever

No 12 volt DC to power the system or LP not turned on.Need more information

HA! My first thought is air lock. If the OE never used the gas its very likely there is air in the lines. It may take several tries before it catches.

No heat or hot water. Please help | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

enblethen
Nomad
Oct 03, 2018
SF series furnaces these are another very common RV furnace
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 03, 2018
Can you take a photo of the area on the outside where the intake and exhaust are? Should be access there without pulling the entire unit out. If there is not .. Well add-a-panel works Will describe the panel to add.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Oct 03, 2018
Our furnace has done that and one time is was a crispy fried little mouse in the furnace burner area, and the 2nd time it was a loose wire. We have outside access so could open it up and clean, check all connections, and it fired right up after the connections were clean and secure.
camperdave
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
If it's clicking (trying to ignite), it's not the sail switch. Definately sounds like gas flow issues, especially in light of the water heater working after blowing it out.
AllegroD
Nomad
Oct 03, 2018
Shwthomas1975, Did you look at the floor of the closet to see if it can be lifted or if there is a hatch? Those two holes on the outside, are they in a larger cover that has screws?
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 03, 2018
Did you locate the model number of the furnace?
In you case, you should have access from the interior of the rig.
Now it sounds like the ignitor portion of the unit. Circuit board, high voltage cable or igntor itself.
Shwthomas1975
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018
Quick update. Hot water heater is good. Compressed air and it fired right up

Furnace not so much. No outside access except the 2 exhaust holes. And it’s tucked under a closet with the only access is the return air grate. So I opened that up and see the silver box (furnace). I can take the back panel off but that only exposes 2 wires connected by something. I think the guys are in front which ya backed into the cubby.
But, I did notice that I can smell gas through the exhaust outside while the fan is on blowing. I believe this rules out the sail switch as I believe that restricts gas flown this leaves maybe the igniter??? I here it clicking away a few times before shutting down but no fire.
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 03, 2018
The sail switch could be issue with the furnace. You can blow out the furnace from the outside access, if it has one, with air compressor or can of compressed air. One my furnace the sail switch is located in the rear right side of the circulation fan.
Cleaning the water heater is pretty easy to do. I usually remove it completely. I have run it a couple times through my wife's dishwasher. You should remove the orifice and soak it in alcohol. No, not the good booze, just rubbing alcohol.
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2018
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Seco:hnd thought...........
Brand/Model of each?

Where is SIR dougie when one needs him !!!?!???
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2018
Second thought...........
Brand/Model of each?