Problem with Atwood furnace

[JPraeder]

Can anyone help me with a problem with my Atwood frunace? The problem is when you turn the furnace on it comes on fine. When it reaches temperature, It shuts off. But it never comes back on, if you turn it off for an hour or so and turn it back on it comes back on. Although the furnace is still under warranty, the dealers a 2 Hour Drive, I like to try to take care of this problem myself.
I already tried a new thermostat.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I'm going to suggest that you check with Atwood on this one.
Several years ago I had a new furnace put in my then house. It would do the same thing, start once then not again. In my case there was a valve the would not let gas into the burner if the pressure was too high. It required the gas company to replace the gas regulator.

I realize that I might be comparing apples and oranges, but it might be worth an email or phone call.

[Timmy G]

I'm going to suggest that you check with Atwood on this one.
Several years ago I had a new furnace put in my then house. It would do the same thing, start once then not again. In my case there was a valve the would not let gas into the burner if the pressure was too high. It required the gas company to replace the gas regulator.

I realize that I might be comparing apples and oranges, but it might be worth an email or phone call.

What type of Atwood furnace is it? Did it work properly in the past or is it a new install?

[JPraeder]

What type of Atwood furnace is it? Did it work properly in the past or is it a new install?

Hydo-flame 8500. It is a new camper. I picked it up this past March. I used the furnace for 3 day then. I haven't used it since. It worked fine then.

[mikeleblanc]

i am having the same problem, i have a 2007 Terry Dakota 32 dbhs, mint shape, i have had the gas valve repalced, it worked fine for a year, it then did the same thing, i had a furnace guy look at it, he couldn't figure it out, i then took the furnace out and the rv place told me it was a wire connection and fixed it, it worked for a day last year, turned it on this year, and same thing, it turns on and comes to temp, and locks out, but an hour or so later it comes on. it's driving me nuts, any suggestions

[Steve Hammel]

As inconvenient as it may be to drive the 2 hours to the dealer, that's what you need to do. Once you start messing with it you are going to void your warranty. If it was an old out of warranty trailer then it might be worth a "self" fix.

[Derek Johnson]

I have a 2007 Bigfoot with the Atwood furnace that did the same thing. I replaced the thermostat (needed a better digital one anyhow...), then the temp overlimit switch (which is what the flashing light indicated on the circuit board--what a pain to access), then the black switch/breaker just inside the outside cover, then the entire circuit board (which the RV place tested and said seemed basically OK, but barely in spec--bought the aftermarket Dinosaur board). It still had the problem intermittently, but then I bumped a wire bundle and it started up. If I recall, I think a long stretch of swear words followed. I replaced one of the splice connectors and it has been mostly fine, though it has happened once or twice since but then corrected itself. I should probably redo all the connections.

I read every manual available and consider it an intellectual challenge to troubleshoot a problem like this. If I have the design, I figure I should be able to reason through how it works and identify the problem. Often I can, but this one really kicked my butt. I probably spent more money on it than if I had taken it in to a competent technician. But, I do have a pretty good understanding of furnace operation now--sort of mini-course if you will. If I were you, I would decide how much you enjoy the challenge. If this sort of thing isn't fun to you, then check a few connectors and then take it in. Connections and switches are common problems, and perhaps all the jostling during travel and maybe corrosion are causing our grief. Kind of suspicious, though, how exact the symptoms--it seems like their should be a very specific component or connection causing the trouble. I was not, however, able to find it anywhere on the internet.

Derek

[mikeleblanc]

thanks Derek, your reply has helped me a lot, I am a licenced electrician, I am the same, I can troubleshoot and I have a changed all the things you have, and it still happens, I diagnosed it last year and yes by shaking the wires it started and worked intermittently, I took it in and they replaced 1 connection, I put it back in and it worked for a day, now this year as mentioned it is working funny again, I WILL take your advise and I will change all the wire connections, Barring that, ELECTIRC HEAT, Thanks again for your help, it's nice to see I not alone. Mike

[Derek Johnson]

Well, it makes me feel better that an electrician had trouble too. Please post if redoing connections solves the problem completely--I'd like to know for sure. These furnaces are too nice and too expensive not to use. It is one of the reasons I upgraded from our first trailer.

Derek