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Furnace not working first time out.

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
Furnace not working first time out. It was a hundred degrees when I did the walkthrough.I dont remember if the guy showed me the operation. I have a suburban furnace. Not sure if I need to do anything at the furnace before I try to use it. I turned the thermostat to high heat but nothing. No blower or anything. What Am I missing? Something simple I hope.
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat
37 REPLIES 37

westend
Explorer
Explorer
So, one of the few things that the dealer's service dept. touched, the thermostat, was rendered non-functional.

I'm thinking your take on warranty repair is spot on.

One suggestion: if you don't already have one, buy an inexpensive hand-held meter so future electrical diagnosis and repair is an easy event.
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
I bypassed the thermostat and the heater kicked on. I purchased a Honeywell programmable model RTH2300/RTH221 for replacement. Wired it in and the furnace fired right up. Thanks for the heads up on the smell. This is my first new trailer and I wouldn't have known to "burn it in" before taking it out. Ready for the weekend. Thanks again
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
I bypassed the thermostat and the heater kicked on. I purchased a Honeywell programmable model RTH2300/RTH221 for replacement. Not sure of the wiring. I am going to storage to match wiring diagram of stock unit (2 wires) with new unit (multiple terminals). Has anyone done this type of replacement and can help? Thanks
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat

vickiecoburn
Explorer
Explorer
Hello there, first try to perform the steps which Old-Biscuit has mentioned above if the furnace still not works, then better you call a professional technician for inspection. Last month I was also having issues with my commercial furnace then my friend recommended me to call heating repair NJ technician for inspection and repair. After repair my furnace was working efficiently.

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
bob213 wrote:
If this is the first time you are going to use it and you do manage to get it to run, keep in mind that it is going to stink. You will be burning off the oils from production and you will probably set off your smoke alarms. Open some windows just in case. Best place for first run is in your driveway.
Good luck getting it going.


Thanks. I'll want to get that out of the way before hand.
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks!
When I remove the t-stat to check for loose wire I will bypass it like you said. It's funny you mentioned making sure the unit is straight. That is one ting I had them fix after walk through. It was mounted crooked on the wall. Could be a loose wire from them working on it. I like the digital one you showed. Will definitely go that way if it's bad. Maybe do it anyway once I get the furnace working. Thanks! This is my 5th RV and I still have a lot to learn!
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II
If your thermostat is like the one you pictured then it only controls heat. I would figure out how to open the thermostat and then unscrew it off the wall. Disconnect one of the two wires and touch it to the other wire. If the furnace comes on throw the cheap thermostat in the trash. Then drive over to Walmart and pick up a $25 digital thermostat and we'll help you wire it in. It will work better than the current one. It will be done way faster than warranty for another cheap mediocre factory stat. And it will be something cool that you installed yourself.

I installed mine a few years ago and I swear, out of the 30 minutes it took to install it, 20 - 25 minutes were spent making sure the mounting holes were level.

The link is the one I used but most of them will work. You just want to make sure it has a battery backup as the batteries are what is going to power the electronics.

Link
.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
mrbreeze az wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
Sounds good. I can't imagine it would take that long for parts on a new unit. Should be less than a week to see parts, unless it is a new model furnace. In the meantime carry a small electric/ceramic heater with you and run he A/C fan to circulate the heat. That's what I do when it gets cold! One 30 lb LP tank lasts me almost 2 years.


The trip in November is with no hookups although the one in December is with power. The ceramic heater is a good option if it is still out of commission come December. Thanks
I agree on the parts timing. The service tech explained it that the dealer makes a claim to the manufacturer and the manufacturer does not stock parts for warranty. The manufacturer has to order from the supplier of the particular unit(in this case Suburban). The supplier sends part to manufacturer who sends it to the dealer. The guy said he has been doing this since the seventies and the process has not improved. I really am hoping for a loose wire!


With any luck that's all it is.
I bought a new Cherokee in 05 and the water heater didn`t work on 110V. after looking around I found they forgot to plug the unit in. the outlet was behind the water heater so it couldn't be seen. I felt around and found the plug laying there. plugged it in and all was well.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

Wild_Card
Explorer
Explorer
turbojimmy wrote:
Wild Card wrote:
simple easy test is there is 2 wires from stat to furnace. wire goes up to stat, makes circuit on call for heat then sends back to furnace. Check for 24v from stat. You can actually wire nut those wires together to bypass stat. if you have 24 v feeding furnace it has a board or other issue in the furnace.


Has to be 12V.


Yep..sorry I do HVAC for a living and am just used to saying 24v as that's the control voltage in res equipment.
2015 Ram 3500 Dually
Sundowner 2286GM Pro-Grade Toyhauler

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
dodge guy wrote:
Sounds good. I can't imagine it would take that long for parts on a new unit. Should be less than a week to see parts, unless it is a new model furnace. In the meantime carry a small electric/ceramic heater with you and run he A/C fan to circulate the heat. That's what I do when it gets cold! One 30 lb LP tank lasts me almost 2 years.


The trip in November is with no hookups although the one in December is with power. The ceramic heater is a good option if it is still out of commission come December. Thanks
I agree on the parts timing. The service tech explained it that the dealer makes a claim to the manufacturer and the manufacturer does not stock parts for warranty. The manufacturer has to order from the supplier of the particular unit(in this case Suburban). The supplier sends part to manufacturer who sends it to the dealer. The guy said he has been doing this since the seventies and the process has not improved. I really am hoping for a loose wire!
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat

turbojimmy
Explorer
Explorer
Wild Card wrote:
simple easy test is there is 2 wires from stat to furnace. wire goes up to stat, makes circuit on call for heat then sends back to furnace. Check for 24v from stat. You can actually wire nut those wires together to bypass stat. if you have 24 v feeding furnace it has a board or other issue in the furnace.


Has to be 12V.
1984 Allegro M-31 (Dead Metal)

Wild_Card
Explorer
Explorer
simple easy test is there is 2 wires from stat to furnace. wire goes up to stat, makes circuit on call for heat then sends back to furnace. Check for 24v from stat. You can actually wire nut those wires together to bypass stat. if you have 24 v feeding furnace it has a board or other issue in the furnace.
2015 Ram 3500 Dually
Sundowner 2286GM Pro-Grade Toyhauler

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Sounds good. I can't imagine it would take that long for parts on a new unit. Should be less than a week to see parts, unless it is a new model furnace. In the meantime carry a small electric/ceramic heater with you and run he A/C fan to circulate the heat. That's what I do when it gets cold! One 30 lb LP tank lasts me almost 2 years.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

mrbreeze_az
Explorer
Explorer
hohenwald48 wrote:
mrbreeze az wrote:


My original post stated the blower did not come on. Maybe if you read it carefully my information wouldn't seem so "vague".


Sorry I missed that. Good luck with your troubleshooting.


I appreciate your help. Sorry I replied back the way I did. I didn't realize how it sounded until I read it back. I just spoke to the service guy. Other than a loose wire at the thermostat or the furnace, it would require removal of the furnace to troubleshoot. Not a difficult task but it is brand new and under warranty. If I do not find a loose wire this weekend it will go back to the dealer next week. He says 4-6 weeks is typical for parts so I am hoping for the best. If it needs parts I will take the unit until the parts come in. I wouldn't want it just sitting there waiting for parts. I have trips planned for November, December and January, hopefully with a working furnace. Thanks all for your help. I'll follow up once the problem is located.
2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Light 261 BHXL
2005 F-150 Crew Cab 4x4 Lariat