Forum Discussion

Ormrod's avatar
Ormrod
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013

Water heater won't light

Hi,

We recently purchased a new 2012 model Puma 298-FQU. It has a Suburban water heater that runs on propane only (no electric element) and I can't seem to get it working... When we got the unit from the dealer, they didn't go through the water heater because they hadn't filled it with water.

So when we got it, I filled it with water... I made sure the valves to the hot water tank were all opened and the hot water tank filled up. I made sure the propane was on (my stove and fridge were working). I made sure the battery had charge because all of the lights/radio/water pump/etc worked. However, when I turn the hot water switch on (behind the kitchen sink), outside the ingiter doesn't click and the propane doesn't fire. The switch then stays lit with a red light that never goes off. There is also a small light inbetween the hot water switch and the water pump switch, this never turns on. I can shut it off and turn it back on again, but it always does the same process.

Here is a picture of what my model looks like (I don't have a picture of mine right now, I'm at work)



Any ideas what I can look at, or some things I may be able to test?

Thanks!
  • 1fastdad's avatar
    1fastdad
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2013
    The first thing in the trouble shooting list is low voltage.Check all connections and remove and reinstall the cinnector at the curcuit board a couple of times to insure a good connection.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 17, 2013
    Got a multimeter?
    Power comes from 12V DC distribution panel, goes to switch then to junction box then to t-stats then to module.
    Goes from module to gas solenoids and spark electrode

    Check for 12V DC power to/thru ON/OFF switch
    Check for 12V DC power to/thru t-stats
    Check for 12V DC power to gas valve solenoids (power is ON for 6-8 seconds when power goes to spark electrode)
    Check ALL grounds.....clean/tight
  • therink's avatar
    therink
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2013
    I recently had the same problem on my brand new Suburban WH. It turned out the spark ignitor wire came loose at the terminal on the control box. My control box/circuit board is located next to the heater in the inside compartment. I just reconnected the ignitor wire and it works now.
  • fox99019's avatar
    fox99019
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2013
    I second Naturist's opinion. I had a control board go bad 2 months in to using my new trailer.
  • Ormrod's avatar
    Ormrod
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2013
    I have two switches beside each other, the left is the water heater, the right is the water pump. Both illuminate when then are moved to the on position and there looks to be a small round light in the center of the switches which I think is the DSI fault light - this never comes on.

    I checked the reset button outside on the WH, but I'm not able to press it (it looks like it pops out when there is a problem and mine stays in).

    I've checked the fuse/breaker panel for problems, but couldn't see any issues in there.

    I did pull off all of wires on the WH panel (two brown, two black and one orange) and reconnect them all thinking there could be a loose connection, but that didn't work either.

    Are there any other fuses, valves or switches that I may be missing?

    Is there any way to verify 12v power to the WH from the outside without taking anything apart?

    Thanks!
  • docnascar's avatar
    docnascar
    Explorer
    Jul 16, 2013
    Check the reset button on the WH?
    Check your breaker box and ensure no tripped circuits?
    With it OFF, Check the orange wire on the bottom right side and ensure its plugged in. Should be able to slide that boot back easily. Check the other wires.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    Jul 16, 2013
    If your switch box has the same configuration as mine, the water pump switch should turn on the green light beside it when the pump is on, and the water heater should only light the red light beside it when the WH has failed to light. Perhaps the switch box is mis-wired or defective.

    The way mine works, when you throw on the WH, the light lights, then goes out, and you can hear a solenoid click, then the sparker trying to light the burner. If the burner catches all is well, but if it doesn't fire up, there will be a final click and the gas is locked off at the WH, with the light by the switch back on.

    It is possible the control board is bad, too. Since this is a new rig, I'd let the dealer figure it out.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,210 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 04, 2025