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jerem0621's avatar
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2013

DSI Water Heater Woes!!!!!!

On my 95 Layton we have a 6 Gallon Suburban with DSI.

This thing simply doesn't work right. No leaks on the tank but I have never been able to get this thing to light reliably.

I replaced the ignitor about 2 seasons ago, but it never worked all the time. (Except for our 12 day vacation last year. Not sure what happened there. It worked fine for that two week period)

Whats funny is that I can hold the ignitor in my hand and it will spark just fine. I put it back into the Water Heater assembly and try to turn it on with no propane and it will spark, Once I turn the propane on.....no spark... ARGHHH

I cleaned all my grounds that I can find, took everything apart used sandpaper to clean all the connections..

nothing..now.. nothing.... This thing isn't even trying three times to light any more. Just click... 15 seconds of hissss.. then click.. nothing... flip the switch off, try again... click... 15 seconds of hisss...then click.. nothing.. ARGH!

I'm seriously thinking of replacing this unit with a pilot light Water heater and being done with this DSI.

Any thoughts before I throw this think in the garbage?

Thanks!

Jeremiah
  • did you try replacing the fuseable link . that is you far right wire that on your stats. try this take that fuseable link off and hook it up without it.this is a test and see if you hot water heater will work. I had to do this on my hot water heater. moister get into them and shorts them out. it about 20. fix
  • Well, I think my Water Heaters board is fried. I turn the switch on and now nothing happens. Nothing at all.

    LOL.. Gotta love owning old.

    Ok, new question.

    Does a "Pilot Light only" water heater use any form of electricity or is everything temperature and pressure controlled?

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • I would troubleshoot the problem and even if you have to replace the control board and thermostat, it would be cheaper than installing a new heater. Also, there isn't much elegance in having a standing pilot.

    Most standing pilot heaters don't need 12v.

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