atwood water heater not working on gas or electric

Last week, my Atwood water heater, which I lovingly call “Bubbles,” completely gave up the ghost. I tried everything – turning the gas and electric switches on and off repeatedly. Nothing. Cold showers loomed!

The Initial Failure

I flipped the gas switch on my Atwood water heater; nothing. Then I tried the electric switch. Still nothing. No clicking, no humming, just silence. Panic set in. A cold shower was bad enough, but the thought of a cold shower followed by a cold dishwashing session was unbearable. I checked the circuit breaker, even though I knew it wasn’t that; a nagging doubt, a desperate hope. Nothing. My carefully planned weekend camping trip was hanging in the balance! I felt a rising tide of frustration. This wasn’t just an inconvenience; this was a crisis! My meticulously crafted relaxation plan was crumbling before my very eyes.

Troubleshooting the Gas System

I carefully checked the gas supply line to my Atwood heater, making sure it was securely connected and there were no leaks. I smelled for gas, too, just in case.

Investigating the Gas Line

I traced the gas line from the tank to the water heater, carefully inspecting every connection. I used soapy water to check for leaks, watching for any bubbles that might indicate a gas escape. Finding nothing amiss there, I moved on to the next potential problem area. My initial suspicion was a faulty gas valve, but a quick inspection showed no obvious issues. I even checked the pilot light, though I knew it wouldn’t be the problem given the electric failure too. It was a thorough examination, eliminating possibilities one by one.

Tackling the Electric Element

Next, I checked the breaker box. Sure enough, the breaker for Bubbles had tripped! I reset it, hoping for a hot shower, but alas, still nothing.

Testing the Electrical Connection

With my trusty multimeter, I carefully tested the electrical connections to the heating element. I followed the wiring diagram meticulously, double-checking each connection for continuity. Everything seemed fine; the multimeter showed the correct voltage and resistance readings. I even checked the element itself for any signs of burning or damage, but it appeared perfectly intact. I was starting to suspect the problem might lie elsewhere, perhaps in the control system or even the igniter, but I was determined to exhaust all other possibilities before resorting to replacing parts. This was proving more challenging than I anticipated!

The Repair Solution

After much deliberation, I decided to replace the igniter. It was a relatively inexpensive part, and I figured it was worth a shot before calling a professional. Fingers crossed!

Replacing the Igniter

I found a replacement igniter online and it arrived within two days. Following the instructions meticulously (which, I’ll admit, involved a few YouTube tutorials!), I carefully disconnected the old igniter. It was surprisingly simple to remove. Then, I installed the new one, making sure to connect all the wires securely. The whole process took about an hour, mostly spent double-checking my work. A little nervous, I turned the gas back on, and held my breath. The satisfying click of the igniter firing filled me with relief! Success!