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jornvango's avatar
jornvango
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2020

Water heater keeps stopping

For a while now, our water heater has been acting up.

When we turn on the switch, it clicks on and we hear the familiar propane burning sound.
Repeatedly, then after a minute or so, a click sounds and the propane burning noise stops. A minute or so silence, then a clicking sound and the propane burning noise again.

This continues for several cycles (all the while the water heater light inside the RV stays on) until hopefully the heater stays on and we can take a shower 20 minutes later.

Any idea what is causing this? Some part that is failing?

Thanks.

6 Replies

  • I once had the exact problem. Turned out to be a bad ground.
  • Check and clean the multi-wire connector.
    If it is Atwood check the ground connection behind the gas valve for good clean contact.
  • I went to help a guy once when his water heater would not stay lit/light right, it seems that he had forgotten change the water valves from water heater bypass to flow through water heater.
  • There are 3 or 4 different "safety" cut offs on a propane powered water heater. They all have to work correctly.
  • Not sure what brand you have. Did you check the manual or internet. Sounds like a thermal cut off switch.