RV Furnace problem, need help!

[Bill Stockard]

Do you hear the gas valve click after the fan has run about 30 seconds? If you don't, it could be the fan sail switch

If the fan sail switch is stuck in the off position or inoperative the gas valve will not open. Insect nests will cause that to happen. Obstructions in either the intake or exhaust area will affect the air flow which also affects the sail switch. Wasps, mud daubers, and spiders love to nest in these areas.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[B.G. Smith]

Also check the voltage on the RV battery. Mine would do the same thing until I replaced the battery, had a weak cell I think. bg

 

[Ram4Sam]

FD, check the condition of your batteries. Most of the heater systems have a burner cutout that won't let the burner fire if the voltage is below a certain level. Some sort of safety feature.

Sam

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2001. 5 2500 QC HO 6sp LB 3. 54LS everything except leather, white/agate 2wd,Isspro,ME kit on the workbench, DD module,psychotty in the mail!


Fordaholic-clean and Mopar'd since 10/05/00

 

[Steve M]

Last time the auto igniter gave up on my fridge, I ended up cleaning the electrodes on the igniter. Not unlike a spark plug, it had almost bridged over the gap. The furnace might be the same.

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98 2500 CC SB 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges, Reese 15k Classic
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1
00 Jayco 25' 5th wheel, single slide

 

[FD5]

Gas tanks are full. All other gas appliances are working. Replaced battery last week. The air that blows through the outside exhaust seams to be a good flow. I don't here the gas valve click. Where is the fan sail switch located? Where is the igniter located?
Thanks

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1995 2500, SLT Laramie, Xcab, auto, 3. 54, stock plate forward, 233K, Amsoiled throughout, dual by-pass filter, Amsoil Dealer, muffler and cat fell off, if you find them, there yours!!
1989 250, Cummins, auto, stock, work truck, 190K, soon to be Amsoiled
1967 Coronet 440, Steve Thomas built 360, auto, 2. 94, factory A/C, am radio, FAST!!!
1991 Camry LE, V-6, auto, 128K, Amsoiled
1989 Holiday Rambler Aluma-lite travel trailer

 

[Happy Camper]

I know it sounds too simple but on my 88 Alpenlite is was nothing more than corroded connections on the back of the furnace.
The www.irv2.com may have some different opinions.

 

[FD5]

I have a 1989 Holiday Rambler Aluma-lite trailer with a Hydro-Flame furnace. When I set the thermostat the (blower?) comes on and runs but the furnace never ignites. Cold air is not a good thing in winter. Any thoughts or ideas of what my problem may be.

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1995 2500, SLT Laramie, Xcab, auto, 3. 54, stock plate forward, 233K, Amsoiled throughout, dual by-pass filter, Amsoil Dealer, muffler and cat fell off, if you find them, there yours!!
1989 250, Cummins, auto, stock, work truck, 190K, soon to be Amsoiled
1967 Coronet 440, Steve Thomas built 360, auto, 2. 94, factory A/C, am radio, FAST!!!
1991 Camry LE, V-6, auto, 128K, Amsoiled
1989 Holiday Rambler Aluma-lite travel trailer

 

[Andy Morrison]

Out of gas? Gas valve open? Gas line plugged or pinched? Bad regulator? If water gets in the vent on the regulator and freezes furnace won't work- this happened to me once. Also check igniter in furnace it may need replaced. Hope this helps.
Andy

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'97 2500 4X4 club cab, BLACK, Leer XL-100,running boards , cup smoothie, EZ Drain, 103,000 miles

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

Go to www.deja.com
and do a search on the rec. outdoors. rv-travel news group. Furnace problems have been discussed many times in the past.

 

[samb]

I had that happen to me one time and the gas pressure was to low. The rough roads in Alaska had caused the reg. to back off.
The pressure was down to 7" water pressure and it should be 11". Pressure gets to low valve will not open. Will need a manometer to check pressure.

Sam B.

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97, Lamanie SLT, clubcab, driftwood, 3. 5 spicer 70 rear axle
96 Coachmen Royal 285rk 5th wheel, 11,000 #

 

[Ladders]

Also, mine would quit when it got below 32 and all it was/is dirt build up on the fan blades and the oil thickness slowing the blower down enuff to not let the sail switch engage. If the gas valve is not "clicking" then the sail switch is not engaged and it could be a too slow fan speed caused by: dirt, lube too thick, low voltage, or ?????

Just some more areas to check. Blow mine out regularly now and no problems this winter (yet - KOW)!

SOTSU!!
\\BF//

 

[Deezul1]

In case you are a little confused, the sail switch is in the airflow path of the heater blower fan and if there is not enough volume from the blower on the "sail switch" it wont close the contacts that allow the gas to get into the burner so no ignition.
Good Luck

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[The patriot]

I dont get in my camper much, but it always takes a few times to light off, especially if I had the bottles isolated.
I dont know who makes my heater, but I believe you should be able to see, or hear spark, if youre getting it. Mine has a little view window.
HTH Eric
PS Mine also has a little valve on the gas line before the burner. Make sure it's opened, or it'll never light.

 

[PHaller]

I had a similar problem with my heater and it turned out to be spiders nests in the burner. I took it apart and cleaned out the critters. Works great now.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

[Thomas]

The Hydro-Flame furnace in my SunnyBrook travel trailer quit working with the same symptoms as yours. The cause was a piece of debris (from trailer manufacturer) in the fan sail switch.

 

[RAPID RICK]

Had a Hydro-(no)Flame furnace in my last camper & it did the same thing. Turned out to
be lack of 12 volts to the thermostat so it wouldn't open the gas valve. Ran a new 12v wire to the t-stat & it worked perfect (as good as a Hydro-(no)Flame will work)until the
day I sold the camper. Hope this helps.
Rick

 

[Rowdy Lee]

Sounds like your gas valve went out. Same thing happened to me. I said heck with it and hired it repaired. mine is a 76 silver streak.

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1999 ram 2500 hd reg cab 4x4 5 speed 3. 54 no bells or whistles 21mpg

 

[Idaho Native]

My 95 Dutchmen had the same problem last summer on first outing. I now have a wasp screen on the intake opening. The ones that got out when it lit were really pi$$ed, though #ad