water heater not lighting

How many times did you try? Mine usually takes a few try's after it has been sitting for a bit.

Light the stove first to get gas in the lines. Then try lighting the water heater again.

I have a gas only water heater and it takes a while to get it going for the first time each season.

I have been trying off and on for the past week. I ran the furnace, lit the stove/oven. just doesnt want to light. I have about a half tank of propane so I know there is enough there to start it. Driving me nuts. Going on our first campig trip this weekend and no hot water. Its a state park so no water hook ups so we usually shower in the bath house but will like to have the hot water for dishes

It's 33 years old. It's probably tired of working.

On the other hand, if it has a pilot light, that flame is suppose to keep the thermocouple hot, which through the magic of electronics (assuming your old tank has an electronic control) holds the propane valve open, and the pilot light lights the propane. Those thermocouples can go bad, or the connections to the thermocouple can corrode and cause it to work erratically.

In addition, not sure but you might have what's known as a thermal fuse inline with the 12 volt supply to your electronic control. Check that right off. They open circuit for no reason. They are available on eBay, $6 for 5 of them. There's usually a set of thermodisks too. Each one of those can go bad. All three of those devices can be checked with a simple ohmmeter. And they should register as a short or near to one. All testing can be done outside under the heaters cover.

To test either thermaldisks or thermal fuse, just short them out. One at a time.

That's if you have any of them. Not sure without the model and brand.

Chris Bryant, a Forum member is kind enough to offer a library of RV appliance service manuals. Props, Chris.
RV Service manuals
A manual will help diagnose the problem.

FWIW, I have an older standing pilot water heater. I couldn't get it lit until I removed the burner tube, cleaned it and all orifices, along with the thermocouple. After a good cleanup it lit right up and has been working fine since then.

I suggest you use a brass brush to clean the thermocouple/flame sensor. That usually fixes them.

thank you all. I will try cleaning the thermocouple and orifice first see what happens it was burning a little dirty at the end of the year come to think of it

Not sure why but the pilot will not light. Not sure if there is air in the lines or not. Could the orifice be dirty and just need cleaned?

pilot= it's probably not getting gas . Clean the tube , spiders like the smell of propane.

mat60 wrote:
Light the stove first to get gas in the lines. Then try lighting the water heater again.

Best answer. There is no pilot light.