Water heater problem

[scottsnider]

I have a new to me 2004 HiLo with a Atwood water heater. Now the WH works on electric just fine but when I try to use gas I get a spark but no flame. So I checked with a gas meeter and there is no gas going to the WH. Can anyone help me to get the gas on or should I get a repairman to do it?

[wa8yxm]

Do not think I've ever seen a valve like that before.. Perhaps they only use it on selected models.

[enblethen]

here is photo of common Atwood water heater gas valve. not the two black connectors going to coils.
Atwood gas valve

[AJR]

If the stove lights. I would go right to the burner tube and push something through it till it comes out in front of the gas orifice. The hope is you have pushed through a spider web and the tube is open. A mud dauber nest would be more work to remove. Then try turning it on.

Still no flame? Lots of good suggestions have been provided above.

I had the spider thing happen overnight once. I now put part of a dog flea collar in the outside access bay of the water heater and have not had a problem with spiders since.

[wa8yxm]

enblethen wrote:
Atwood gas valves have two 12 volt coils.

They Do???? (I have and atwood)

And on teh Dinosaur board recommendation.. SECOND.

Suspects in order
Out of gas (Stove won't light)
Tank(s) shut off (Stove wont't light)
Bad regulator (Stove may light or not but all burners at once likely not).
Pinched gas line (Visual inspect)
Bad valve
Bad control valve
Clogged orifice (A spider likes to nest in 'em clean and try again)

[old_guy]

you might try cleaning the electrical terminals before replacing parts. a lot of the time they make poor contact and the heater will not work

[kellem]

The few times it happened to me, it was a paper wasp in the orrifice.
I used a coat hanger and dug it out.

[enblethen]

Turn on meter. If it is a digital, it should display OL in resistance mode (Ohms)
When leads are touched together it should read close to Zero. When testing the coils, the meter should read around 25-40 Ohms on each coil. Most digital meters have automatic range.
Voltage test would be done on around a 20 volt DC scale. One lead (black) goes to ground and the red lead would go to circuit board output.
Didn't ask before, Does the ignitor click? This is spark at the water heater end of burner tube.
Which Lakewood are you located?

[scottsnider]

Thank you Bud, I will be honest with you I have never been able to use a Ohm meter right, one time it got really hot and other times it reads nothing.

[Bob_Olallawa]

^^^ What Bud said ^^^

[enblethen]

Atwood gas valves have two 12 volt coils. Disconnect the wire from circuit board, separate the wires at the coils. Use an Ohm meter to check resistance on each coil. the readings should be the same. If not the same replace gas valve.
Check the coil ground wire connection. Located behind gas valve connected via the valve mounting screw.
Use volt meter to check for 12 volts DC coming out of circuit board while the ignitor is sparking. No 12 volts DC means new circuit board. Recommend Dinosaur Electronics version.

[corvettekent]

If want rk911 says does not work replace the gas valve on the water heater.

[rk911]

ummm ...is the gas supply on? does the stove light? if yes/yes light the stove and let it burn for about 60-sec and then try the WH.