Forum Discussion

Ktrcamper's avatar
Ktrcamper
Explorer
Jul 02, 2020

Suburban furnace not restarting

On an Adventurer 80GS camper, the furnace starts when the thermostat is set highest. It works for about 5 min and then stops. It doesn't restart by itself again even when the temp is cold in the camper. Is the thermostat faulty or is the furnace faulty.

Appreciate immediate help as we are out in the wild. Should have had a backup electric heater. Haha! Newbie mistake.

8 Replies

  • Thanks all for the excellent info. I will work on it once I get home. For now, I got an electric heater from a nearby city. Will post updates.
  • ticki2 wrote:
    Kayteg1 wrote:
    Sounds like thermostat issue.
    Is it mechanical, or electronic unit?
    In case you'd like to use range for emergency heating, don't do it unless you have CO detector.
    Even then don't use it for more than 5 minutes as CO2 level might go too high.



    If you could only use it 5 minutes it would be useless for cooking , and forget about the oven .

    When was the last time you fired all burners at the same time?
    I always remind my wife to start the hood fan whenever heavy cooking, or baking and yes, the 1 time she fried bacon without fan, the CO detector went off.
  • RickW's avatar
    RickW
    Explorer III
    IF the flame lights when it starts, and

    IF the fan blows some hot air before shutting down,

    then check the intake and exhaust ports for blockage (i.e. wasp nest).

    You may have to disconnect the propane line and electrical connections and pull the unit inside to inspect and access the ports.

    Suggest NOT poking a wire into the ports unless the unit is removed and the ports are pointing towards the ground. Then gravity is your friend. (I had to use very long needle nose pliers to clear mine)

    And bubble test the propane fitting after reconnecting.
  • If it's not the thermostat it could also be intake or exhaust air blocked not allowing sail switch to open . Sail switch controls gas valve . Mouse nest , mud dubers, hornets net , etc.
  • Kayteg1 wrote:
    Sounds like thermostat issue.
    Is it mechanical, or electronic unit?
    In case you'd like to use range for emergency heating, don't do it unless you have CO detector.
    Even then don't use it for more than 5 minutes as CO2 level might go too high.



    If you could only use it 5 minutes it would be useless for cooking , and forget about the oven .
  • Could jump terminals or remove wires at thermostat and tie together-if heater comes on and stays on its the thermostat, if it still shuts off problem elsewhere. Fan comes on?
  • Could be the furnace or propane. I don’t think it’s the thermostat if it’s starting.

    Try a different propane tank if you have two. Check to make sure propane works on the stove and burns normally with no popping.

    Is it getting hot or just running?
  • Sounds like thermostat issue.
    Is it mechanical, or electronic unit?
    In case you'd like to use range for emergency heating, don't do it unless you have CO detector.
    Even then don't use it for more than 5 minutes as CO2 level might go too high.