Kitchen Gas Appliances - Water Heater Problems

Hi My gas hot water heater is not igniting-getting power-blower functioning-igniter getting hot-transformer good-replaced thermostat-still not igniting-temp control on 130-reset button not popped-in good standings-gas switch on gas line open power switch on-just letting you know whats been checked-troubleshooting-igniter is getting red hot-what am i missing-?getting gas to the house furnace works fine. I appreciate your fine help and thank you for these forums. It has electronic ignition.

Hello Julie. Welcome to my Gas Appliances forum.

Thanks for including all the features on the appliance and operations that are functioning on this type water heater.

Not exactly sure what type of unit it is nor if I am familar with it.

Some questions below which need to be known so I can determine what may be the problem.

This water heater has a blower?
Or do you mean a power vent?
Electronic igniton?
Residential unit or commerical?
Tank water capacity?
Tank type unit or instantanous on demand type?
Tank connected to electrical power?

More info requested.

Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair procedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.

An excellent source for orginal replacement parts is your local retail appliance parts store. Appliance parts dealers test and carry replacement parts for all appliances. Parts dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.

Retail parts dealers can also help determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers if you stop in at the store.

If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any
additional information or questions, etc. Using this method also moves the topic back up to the top of the list automatically.

Suggestions to save time waiting for any additional replies:
Use the search engine to locate all the topics on this type of do-it-yourself task. The search engine is the button on the very top of this page in the blue section to the right.

Check the prior postings, within this forum, on this topic of water heater problems and the replies offered.

Regards & Good Luck.
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator Moderator.
Web Site Host & Multiple Topics Moderator.
Tom_Bart......Company Enterprises.....TCB4U2B2B
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.

Rheem 65 gallon Power Vent new in 92 Residential Electronic Ignition Tank is connected to electrical power igniter lights up but doesnt fire-could the "brain be whats wrong" voltage when trying to run is only at 15 to the gas valve but it says 24 i found a Fluke tool! 24 is what the gas valve says on it but i am only getting 15 this hot water heater is around $500 and i cannot see replacing it at only 8 years old.

Hello: JulieJ

Most likely the power vent damper isn't sending the signal to the gas control valve. In order for the gas valve to allow gas to flow, it has to get signals from several systems.

Failure to obtain input from all systems does not allow all systems to operate. Therefore, either the power vent systems contacts are defective or the main control circuitry <brain, as you termed it> isn't operating.

If all these systems checkout correctly, there is always the possibility the gas control valve is defective. This part, if memory serves me, is not repairable seperately. It will have to be tested and replaced as a unit.

Best option is to have the suspected parts tested for proper operation by a plumbing parts supply dealer or local appliance parts dealer who sells the parts retail.

I'll have to refer you back to my original suggestion.
An excellent source for replacement parts is your local retail parts store or the parts dealer for that brand of water heater.

These dealers can determine what the possible problem may be. Bring the make, model and serial numbers. These parts dealers test and carry replacement parts for all appliances. Parts dealers are listed in the phone book under appliances.

This is about all the information on the problem I can offer you. Hope some if not all of it helps resolve the problem.

Regards & Good Luck. Gas Appliances Forum Moderator.
Web Site Host & Multiple Topics Moderator.
Tom_Bart......Company Enterprises.....TCB4U2B2B
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technican.

Hi Tom Thank so much for your help-unfortunately i cannot find a parts dealer for this brand in this area-they keep telling me i have to have a license to obtain this part-wholesale only-The brand is Rheem and it seems they are particular about who sells their parts-i found their web site but no place to order so i will call them today-again thanks so much-i also have been getting a lot of flack because i am a woman and they think i have no business doing this-whats up with that? Wishing you Happy Holidays and A Great 2003! Julie

Hello: Julie

What's up with that? Tell you the truth I do not know.

However, in my personal opinion, tell them I said it is not only discriminatory but down right STUPID! for ANY business to have this attitude! Period.

They do not deserve your business nor the business of any other female. There attitude deserves a complaint to the manufacturer.

Also express to the manufacturer your resentment to the dealers statement and attitude of their dealer towards you as a consumer.

That allowing their dealers to have such an attitude towards any person, male or female, does not warranty your business for future sales, recommendations to others about the brand, the service nor the product.

The nerve of those idiots gets my goat!...:( :( :(
Off my soap box now....:D

Happy Holidays to you and News Years too!
Thanks.

Tom_Bart......Company Enterprises.....TCB4U2B2B
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technican.