Why Suburban RV Furnace Won’t Light At Extreme Temperature?
Traveling in an RV allows people to experience the great outdoors while enjoying the home’s conveniences. Appliances like a heater enhance such outside experiences and the comfort an RV offers. But, in my experience, I faced many issues with this RV Furnace, and Won’t Light At Extreme Temperature is one of them.
Malfunction sail or limit switch, insufficient gas or propane, faulty ignitor, etc., are common reasons why Suburban RV Furnace won’t light in extreme temperatures. However, several minor difficulties might arise and compromise its functionality.
But to solve this problem by yourself, there are several steps you have to follow. In this article, I will discuss this procedure in detail. So, if you have already faced this issue, continue to read.
Why Does Suburban RV Furnace Won’t Light At Extreme Temperature?
The issue you’re facing is a furnace safety precaution on your RV. The furnace in your Motorhome will go through a safety execution stage once you power it on. This security measure stops propane from entering the heater without being ignited. Each RV furnace includes it since it’s an essential safety element.
Without any prior expertise, solving this issue may appear difficult. Below I’ll discuss some common reasons for this issue I discovered and their simple solution:
Insufficient Gas Or Propane:
This is typically the most common reason I found for this issue. When a gas or propane-fueled RV radiator runs out of fuel, the system pressure will keep dropping, and this problem will develop.
Running out of gas or propane is dangerous since it can result in leaks, airlocks, rust accumulation in the tank, and damaged hazard lights. Maintaining your fuel tank full is recommended to safeguard your RV against these issues.
Clogged or frozen fuel line:
The gasoline line might freeze when it is exceptionally cold and wet outside. Likewise, the gasoline line will be entirely clogged if water is inside.
When an RV overflows during a rain, storm, etc., mud or other debris may find its way into the oil reservoir or the heating system. However, if you don’t maintain the gasoline line for several years, dirt can build up in the pipeline and lower fuel pressure.
Here, I manually cleaned the fuel line, which helped to solve this issue. On the other hand, in an extremely cold season, I used a tank cover to protect it.
Read Also: Where Is Suburban Rv Furnace Reset Button And How To Reset?
Malfunctioning limit switch:
Usually, it takes some time for the furnace’s burners to warm up and achieve the desired temperature. Therefore, to keep the temperature reasonable, the limit switch also keeps an eye on it.
I discovered that when the limit switch malfunctions, the ignitor won’t fire up, and I didn’t even hear the heater trying to light itself. To solve this issue, I had to replace the faulty limit switch.
Faulty Sail Switch:
The system contains two safety switches, and the first one is the sail switch. The blowers won’t activate if the switch isn’t depressed.
A few different factors may bring on this issue. The most frequent issue with a sail switch is that a little bit of lint or fur gets inside this switch and stops it from shutting properly. To solve this, I usually take the switch out and manually clear the obstruction.
Read Also: Where is Atwood Furnace Reset Switch & How to Reset?
Low battery:
In most cases, the furnace won’t work if an RV battery drops below 10.5 volts. I noticed that, in the low voltage, the blower fan runs smoothly, but that low voltage is insufficient for the fan to activate the sail switch. Besides, the system can’t work perfectly if the battery voltage is too low.
As a result, it’s critical to ensure the battery is fully charged for the furnaces to function. When I faced this issue, I checked the battery voltage with a multimeter and noticed that the voltage was below 10.5. So, I fully charged the battery, and this issue was gone.
Faulty Ignitor:
A malfunctioning ignitor could be the culprit for this issue if the limit switch and sail switch are working properly. This ignitor switch mostly doesn’t fail as frequently as the limit switch and sail switch, but that doesn’t imply they never do.
When I ran into this problem, I looked to see if the circuit board’s ignitor relay delivered electricity when the engine started. I then discovered it wasn’t igniting. So I bought a new one to replace it.
Read Also: 3 Prominent Reasons Why RV Furnace Runs with Thermostat Off
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bad Suburban RV Furnace Ignitor?
A little part with a significant role is the furnace ignitor. It starts the burner, which ignites the burning process and turns the fuel into heat.
Therefore, if your furnace won’t switch on during a cool night, you could have an issue with the ignitor. The following symptoms indicate that your ignitor has failed.
- Your furnace abruptly stops operating.
- You’ll notice frequent on/off cycles in your furnace.
- Constantly tripping the power breaker.
- The furnace will not operate properly.
- Cold air will be released from the furnace.
- Your furnace’s circuit breaker changes constantly.
- Nothing happens despite the click you hear.
Read Also: Why RV Furnace Shuts off After 30 Seconds & How to Fix it?
FAQs.
After reading this essay, you may still have some questions. Here I did my best to answer the most frequently asked questions. To get the answers, you require, read these FAQs.
Are Reset Buttons Found on Every RV Furnace?
No, there aren’t reset buttons on every RV heater. Actually, hardly any of them do. Certain RV heaters may contain a reset button on the electrical system board or within the furnace. But, the furnace may usually be reset by simply turning it on and off once.
Could an RV furnace be manually lit?
Yes. This can be manually lit; however, most contemporary versions feature touch sensors to turn on and off the electricity. You can try manually lighting the furnace to warm the RV if they break. Besides, a manual lighting system is a sole option for an old furnace.
Why won’t my furnace turn on?
The furnace may not operate due to a power drop, blown fuse, defective thermostat, or damaged control board. The sail switch is the other most typical source of furnace igniting problems. It could be covered in dirt or debris, and many models occasionally experience switch failure.
What might be the problem if the furnace runs but with short cycles?
A malfunctioning thermostat could be blamed for shorter cycling. Checking the thermostat to determine if it is functioning properly is the first and easiest action you can take if the heater is short-cycling.
Conclusion
If you’ve tried these solutions and your propane furnace still won’t light, you probably need to have it repaired or replaced by an expert mechanic.
Given our extensive experience, we strongly advise you to routinely check the electrical status of your heating system to avoid any unanticipated problems. Also, if you discover any issues with your furnace system, no matter how slight or significant, take immediate action.
Moreover, after the summer, spend some time doing essential preventative maintenance. Besides, if you recently installed a fresh furnace, test it thoroughly before going on a family vacation in the bitter cold and heavy snow.
Read Also: What To Do When Rv Furnace Clicking But Not Lighting?
Zayan is an accomplished author and a go-to expert for all things RV and camper-related. With a passion for adventure and a knack for problem-solving, he has spent years exploring the open road and fine-tuning his knowledge of recreational vehicles.
Zayan’s writing is a testament to his expertise, offering readers practical solutions to common RV dilemmas. Whether it’s troubleshooting mechanical issues, optimizing space, or planning the perfect road trip, Zayan’s insightful advice and engaging storytelling make him an invaluable resource for both seasoned travelers and newcomers to the world of RVing.
