Have RV questions? Ask an RV mechanic online.

Connect one-on-one with {0} who will answer your question

What causes rapid fire up when turned on water heater and furnace?

Customer Question

Both the water heater and...

Both the water heater and furnace seem to fire up when turned on, but after only a few moments..say not more than a minute or so, you can hear the flame shut off. I don't remember if re-light or if only when turned off and then back on. Either way, neither one stays on long enough for anything to warm up.

Gas to the stove works fine.

Submitted: 13 years ago.Category: RV

Show Less

Ask Your Own RV Question

Answered in 22 minutes by:

2/6/2010

RV Mechanic: R.V.'S ONLY, RV Mechanic replied 13 years ago

R.V.'S ONLY, RV Mechanic

Category: RV

Satisfied Customers: 164

Experience: 10 YRS MASTER CERTIFIED RV TECH, MANY MORE CERTIFIED

Verified

Hi Daysailor, Can you tell me the type and year of your rv, and maybe the manufacture of the appliances that aren't working. Thanks, Jeff

Customer reply replied 13 years ago

2007 fourwinds travel trailer Not sure of the manufacturer of appliances

I can look those detials up and get back to you tomorrow, how do I find you?

RV Mechanic: R.V.'S ONLY, RV Mechanic replied 13 years ago

Have you felt or seen the ignition of the water heater and furnace or just the time they run before shut down?

Just post and it will come to myself, Thanks again, Jeff

Edited by R.V.'S ONLY on 2/6/2010 at 2:42 AM EST

Customer reply replied 13 years ago

I can hear the flame light for either of them, then hear it stop.

-I need to go offline in a few moments, how do we pick this up tomorrow?

RV Mechanic: R.V.'S ONLY, RV Mechanic replied 13 years ago

Just post and I'll get

Customer reply replied 13 years ago

Jeff... Here's more detail after trying it again today.

Both water heater and furnace are Atwood

WH- Atwod MPD 93756 I think

Fur- Atwood HydroFlame, probably Model 1H2C

I tried the furnace again and with the thermostat set high enough to kick it on and.

I can hear the flame ignitse on the first try (click of the igniter). It burns for six seconds then stops. About 20 seconds later it lights again, and burns for 6 seconds. This happened 2-3 times. Then the fan stopped and it was done....

My sense is that the WH did about the same thing.

Hope that helps get us to a solution.

RV Mechanic: R.V.'S ONLY, RV Mechanic replied 13 years ago

Hi again, It seems odd that you would have two appliances fail at the same time and with similar problems, so let's check one at a time. We'll start with the furnace. If it is igniting and shutting right down most likely it's the control board not recognising the flame. If you can let me know what the water heater does exactly that would help. If the igniter clicks and starts for a moment or nothing at all with the switch on, you may need to cycle it a few times to see what's happening and let me know, Jeff

Edited by R.V.'S ONLY on 2/7/2010 at 4:27 PM EST

Was this answer helpful?

Yes

How JustAnswer works

Describe your issueThe assistant will guide you

Chat 1:1 with a rv mechanicLicensed Experts are available 24/7

100% satisfaction guaranteeGet all the answers you need

Related RV Questions

Water heater will not light on gas nor electric. The gas

the gas burner will not light. this is a new camper, the burner light, heated the water then shut off, bur would not reignite, I checked the 2 amp fuse it is good, I have gas at the valve, and the tank is full of water with pressure from the pump. … read more

KevinS121

Some college

2,939 satisfied customers

The water heater lit once, but didn't stay on enough to get

The water heater lit once, but didn't stay on long enough to get warm water at the tap. Now it won't light at all. … read more

Robert

RV Tech Support

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

23,513 satisfied customers

My pilot light won't stay lit. 2021 keystone passport. The

My pilot light won't stay lit. 2021 keystone passport … read more

KevinS121

Some college

2,939 satisfied customers

95 Winnebago Adventurer 34 with Suburban SF42 furnace...

95 Winnebago Adventurer 34 with Suburban SF42 furnace... Been having difficulty keeping the furnace going... From advice given previously I've changed the lp regulator and I still have this problem.. … read more

Robert

RV Tech Support

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

23,513 satisfied customers

Atwood furnace isn't staying on. 2018 cyclone 4115.

Drain hot water and turned gas furnace back on. It igniting but no flame. I lighted it with a lighter and flame was only running for 5 seconds then shut off again … read more

Randall

RVIA Certification

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

29,324 satisfied customers

Furnace will not light properly, if vent is partially

furnace will not light properly, if vent is partially blocked it will light off for a few moments. New propane service was just connected and tech "says" that flow an pressure are correct, if pressure… read more

Robert

RV Tech Support

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

23,513 satisfied customers

I have a Atwood Hydro Flame 8531-IV-DLCP 24000 Btu Furnace

I have a Atwood Hydro Flame 8531-IV-DLCP 24000 Btu Furnace in my Sunnybrook 5th wheel. The fan comes on and then the furnace kicks in but only runs for about 5 or 6 seconds and clicks off and then lat… read more

RIP ROBERT

OWNER

High School or GED

761 satisfied customers

I replaced the hot water heater and tank in my pop up recently.

I replaced the hot water heater and tank in my pop up recently. I connected everything the where it belongs but I have no gas at the pilot light. the hot water heater is an atwood with a three positio… read more

Michael Reush

Master Technician

High School or GED

3,175 satisfied customers

Catalina: Coachman..two problems..heater..thermostat up to 95

I have a 2011 Coachman Catalina and I have two problems. The water (either from the pump or the city line) only flows through the shower - not the kitchen/bath sinks or the toilet. Also, the heater wi… read more

Randall

RVIA Certification

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

29,324 satisfied customers

anew gas valve and I have the same problem the burner lights..orifice

I just installed anew gas valve and I have the same problem the burner lights but the flame is outside the tube I cleaned the flue and tube no obstructions could this be the orifice… read more

gene

RV Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,100 satisfied customers

Limit: it fires again it still heats the trailer but i..pete

i have a hydroflame excaliber 8531 ii fires for two or three minutes then the flame stops then a few minutes later it fires again it still heats the trailer but i dont think it should run like that it… read more

RV SPECIALIST

OWNER -RV REPAIR COMPANY

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

304 satisfied customers

Fleetwood: 1990/1991..rv..drove..towing..hear the exhaust

I have a 1990/1991 - Fleetwood PACE Arrow - I have never owned an RV - so this has been quite the adventure. I purchased it in up State NY - drove it back to MI without an issue - even towing another … read more

Steve F.

RVIA Certification

Doctoral Degree

443 satisfied customers

1987 gulfstream sunsport - in storage over winter - the gas

1987 gulfstream sunsport - in storage over winter - the gas fired water heater was working but not now, am I missing shut off valve or something?… read more

gene

RV Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,100 satisfied customers

i have an atwood gc10a3e gas electric water heater. the gas

i have an atwood gc10a3e gas electric water heater. the gas side will fire up for about 3 to 4 minutes then shut down. the non igntion light will come on then go out and it will try a couple of times … read more

gene

RV Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,100 satisfied customers

I just bought a 2001 nomad travel trailer. it was in storage

I just bought a 2001 nomad travel trailer. it was in storage for 5 years. The pilot lights on the oven and hot water heater are not lighting (stove) or are not staying lit (hotwater heater) The propan… read more

Tim Collard

Mobile RV Tech

Master Certified

149 satisfied customers

I HAVE A MODEL 7912-11 12000 BTU HEATER THE FLAME COMES ON CYCLES

I HAVE A MODEL 7912-11 12000 BTU HEATER THE FLAME COMES ON CYCLES ON AND OFF BUT KEEPS RUNNING WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?… read more

Tim Collard

Mobile RV Tech

Master Certified

149 satisfied customers

My heater..exaust..propane..lite fan comes on like normal.it is model

My heater won't light up. It was working black soot was coming out of exaust I have new propane. Will not lite fan comes on like normal.it is model dc8232… read more

gene

RV Mechanic

Vocational, Technical or Trade Scho

1,100 satisfied customers

Blower..a few minutes the heater will lite for a few seconds..tanks

Heater will lite for 30 seconds & go out, blower will continue to run, after a few minutes the heater will lite for a few seconds & go out and not lite again. Blower will continue to run. Propane tank… read more

Nick

RVIA Certification

HND (higher national diploma)

664 satisfied customers

Disclaimer: Information in questions answers, and Show Less

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.

JustAnswer in the News:

What Customers are Saying:

Excellent reply, and also very quick. Really sounds like the Expert knows what he is talking about. I will be back to use your service when I need more help with my RV.
DutchUSA

Highly recommend this RV expert. Prompt, good and detailed answers were given. Very willing to help with genuine concern. I will ask for him next time.
JackUSA

I would (and have) recommend your site to others I was quite satisfied with the quality of the information received, the professional with whom I interacted, and the quick response time. Thanks, and be sure that I'll be back whenever I need a question answered in a hurry.
Stephanie PElm City, NC

used your service this weekend with "Trecers" help. thank you ,thank you, thank you. replaced an A/C fan motor. Local Auto Zone had part. $15.00 "tracer" fee and $40.00 for parts, I saved several hundreds of dollers at a shop. i will recommend you and use you in the future.
David L.Richmond, TX

9 dollars, 2 hours of my time, and I drove away. Your diagnosis was right on the mark. Thank you so much.
PhilMarysville, CA

Lurch. Thank you very much. I had real doubts about this website but your promptness of response, quick followup and to the point answer with picture was incredible.
CharlesWalnut Creek, CA

As a single woman, I really appreciate an excellent and affordable opinion.
Thank you Geordie, I will not hesitate to contact justanswer in the future!
SueCharleston, WV

< Previous | Next >

Meet the Experts:

gene

RV Mechanic

1,100 satisfied customers

28 yrs exp in the industry

Nick

RVIA Certification

664 satisfied customers

5 years RV repair and reconstruction, Fleetwood RV Training course completion.

Steve F.

RVIA Certification

443 satisfied customers

Journeyman and Master RV technician, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineer. RVIA Technical Consultant

Randall

RVIA Certification

29,324 satisfied customers

RVDA/RVIA Master Certified Technician with many years experience.

Chris (aka-Moose)

RV Mechanic

2,855 satisfied customers

24 years of experience diagnosing & repairing

D. Wood

RV Parts Store Owner

205 satisfied customers

Slide Out, Jack & Hitch Specialist

Jeff Myers

RV Mechanic

198 satisfied customers

Owner of an RV Repair Facility for 9 years. 12VDC and 120VAC, ALL Appliances, Any and ALL problems!

< Previous | Next >

Show MoreShow Less