Atwood Water Heater Troubleshooting Manual: 10 Problems Reviewed

Atwood water heaters are a popular choice for RV enthusiasts, providing a reliable and convenient source of hot water on the go. However, the Atwood water heater troubleshooting manual might be required if you experience issues over time that can cause frustration and inconvenience.

This article covers several common problems that can arise with these units, from pilot lights to leaking tanks. We will also explore some of the most effective safety precautions at the end.

Let’s start exploring!

An Insight of Atwood Water Heater

Atwood, one of the industry leaders in RVs, offers high-quality gas or gas/electric combination water heaters for your RV.

1. The biggest feature of these water heaters is the incorporation of safety features, which cut power to the heater if it reaches a certain temperature or senses a power surge.
2. After that, you must reset the water heater before using it again.
3. Atwood water heaters are the standard for recreational vehicles, providing hot water on the road.

From tankless types and ones with tanks ranging in size from 4 to 10 gallons, there are a lot of different options. Let’s look at some of the basic reasons behind troubleshooting!

Why Would You Need To Troubleshoot?

Over time, your water heater will eventually break down due to its age and lack of maintenance. We have listed some of the main reasons below, along with their solutions.

1. No Gas in the Heater

The Atwood water heater may freeze up in the event of a disruption in the gas supply. Below are the possible causes of this problem:

1. Solenoid valve malfunctioning.
2. Obstruction in the main burner tube or orifice.
3. Problems with the electrical control unit.
4. Faulty solenoid valve.
5. Wiring harness wire connections.

2. Randomly Shutting Off

Sometimes, the recreational vehicle’s water heater turns on but quickly shuts off. Here are a few possible reasons why that would occur:

1. Failure of the thermocouple
2. Control board failing
3. Problems or defects in the pilot assembly
4. Issues with the gas supply
5. Malfunctioning gas valves

Note: Replacing the gas valve of the water heater will require significant time, effort, and some understanding of electricity. If you’d like to learn how to replace the gas valve, watch a video here or download the Atwood water heater manual.

3. No Operation on Gas or Electricity

There is probably a faulty water heater thermostat and control board in your Atwood water heater. Some other potential issues include:

For the gas water heater:

1. Closed gas valve.
2. Faulty thermocouple.
3. Obstructed gas feed line.
4. Dirty/Malfunctioning burner assembly.
5. The pressure relief valve is stuck open.

For electric combination water heaters:

1. Tripped circuit board/breaker.
2. Faulty heating element.
3. Sediment buildup in the tank.
4. The temperature and pressure relief valve is stuck open or faulty.
5. Faulty limit switch.

Note: Swapping out the control board can be challenging if you need to become more familiar with the process.

To help you with this, you can watch this video on how to replace the control board.

4. Electrodes Have No Spark

The following factors may be responsible for the electrodes not producing any spark.

1. Sloppy electrical connections between the electrodes and the primary burner.
2. Porcelain electrodes with loose wire connections.
3. The buildup of sludge on the electrodes.
4. Defective electronic board.

5. Erratic Flames/Sooting

Soot formation can be attributed to inadequate gas pressure, improper main burner alignment, and a blocked burner orifice. However, there are a few more related issues to it:

1. Poor gas supply
2. Blocked U-tube
3. Improper air adjustment

6. Pilot Outage in Thermostat Junction Box Cover

Several factors cause a non-working heater pilot or RV water heater and are mentioned below:

1. A malfunctioning thermocouple and gas control magnet is causing issues with your water.
2. Air conditioning isn’t set correctly.
3. The pilot flame in the water heater is obstructed.
4. Clogging in the ‘U’ tube of the heater.
5. Incorrect gas pressure selection.

7. Pilot Outage on Releasing the Knob

Releasing the control knob or button of the heater shows that the pilot has gone out. The root cause of this issue lies in the following:

1. Insufficient heat supplied to the thermocouple.
2. Thermocouple not tightened properly.
3. Poor gas regulation.
4. Bad thermocouple.

8. Main Burner Doesn’t Ignite

The most common causes of a pilot light not igniting are as follows:

1. The primary burner orifice is clogged.
2. Gas regulation is problematic.
3. The ‘U’ tube becomes fully blocked by soil over time.
4. The primary burner is obstructed.

9. The Water Temperature is Insufficient

The following are the primary causes of the inadequate temperature of the water:

1. The temperature dial is moved out of position.
2. The bypass levers are in the wrong position.
3. The burner is not functioning properly due to partial clogging.
4. Airflow is misadjusted.

10. Smoking & Soothing

Atwood water heaters produce smoke and soot due to the following reasons:

1. Issues with gas supply.
2. Gas pressure adjusted incorrectly by the user.
3. The primary burner is not aligned.

Atwood Water Heater Manual

This Atwood water heater manual part will cover all the essential information you need to safely and efficiently operate the unit. We will provide detailed instructions for each operation.

The first task is to dispose of the old water heater. Also, for a better understanding, you can download the Atwood water heater manual for your RV.

Removing an Old Water Heater

Follow these steps to effectively remove the water heater without any damage:

1. First, turn off the power and gas feed to the water heater.
2. Next, disconnect the water supply using the intake and discharge ports.
3. If you need to disconnect wires, open the breaker box and remember the corresponding wire colors.
4. Unscrew the RV water heater from the exterior to remove it.
5. Finally, disconnect the gas tank and carefully remove the water heater’s wiring.

Installing a New Water Heater

Atwood offers a wide range of models for water heaters. However, with only a few minor differences, all models use a similar installation approach. Here is how you can install a new Atwood water heater in your RV:

1. Using a metal or PVC connection, you can install connectors on the input and outlet of the new RV water heater before you use it.
2. Place the Atwood water heater in the desired location and connect the wires using the noted color codes.
3. Plug in the RV water heater and tighten the flare nut after connecting the gas line.
4. Join the wires in the terminal block and connect the water supply pipes.
5. Turn on the water and gas feed to ensure the heater works properly. Once the tank is full of water, turn on the heater to test it further.

You can take help from the Atwood water heater manual as well.

Frequent Thermostat Problems with Fixes

Faulty thermostats are a potential cause for the absence of a hot water supply and are a frequently occurring problem. Your furnace features an indicator light that turns on after the Atwood water heater is activated. The following issues may arise if the light does not turn on or flickers.

Problems

In this configuration, the wire is connected in series with the fuse. If the old fuse has burnt out, replace it with a new one.

Check the rating of the replacement fuse to ensure it has the same amperage as the previous one.

ECO Replacement

If the light remains off even after replacing the fuse, the thermostat assembly may be the cause.

Warning and Safety Precautions

Taking the warnings seriously and carefully considering safety measures is important to avoid financial losses and prolong your Atwood water heater’s lifespan.

1. Quickly exit the van and turn off the gas feed to prevent possible ignition. Do not use anything that may ignite; seek expert help.
2. Do not make any adjustments to the hot water heater before usage. Never change anything.
3. Stick to the approved replacements where possible. Do not try to put anything with a different value, either higher or lower.
4. Avoid using candles to look for a gas leak. Instead, check for leaks using a soapy or commercially available leakage-checking solution.
5. Use Teflon or plumbing tape while connecting the water line connection to prevent water leaks from the hot water tap.
6. Before cleaning the tank, turn off the gas, electricity, and heater. Relieve the pressure via the valve.
7. Only use fuels that are specifically approved for use. Using an unapproved fuel source is not recommended.
8. Make sure the water heater is entirely full before turning it on.
9. Flush your tank at least once a year. Empty the tank and refill it with new water using a pump for five minutes to flush it.

Atwood Water Heater Troubleshooting Manual – FAQ

Conclusion

Atwood water heaters are a dependable and convenient source of hot water, but they can experience issues that require timely maintenance. By recognizing and addressing issues like faulty pilot lights or leaky tanks, you can extend the lifespan of your Atwood water heater. It will help you avoid costly repairs or replacements down the line.

Have you ever experienced any issues with your RV water heater? What steps did you take to resolve the issue? Share your experience with us in the comment section below.