Girard Water Heater Burner Won't Ignite

[JDSport]

I have the third generation Girard tankless water heater, GSWH-2. On my third outing with my new rig, the water heater did not work. The blower comes on, and you can hear the igniter clicking but I never get a flame. The only thing that was different since our last trip was the fact that I had the propane tank topped off. I ran the burners on the stove, the fridge and the furnace in an attempt to make sure there was no air in the propane lines. I did not see any reset switch/button like I've seen on the older model. The water heater fired up no problem on my previous two outings. Has anyone else had this problem and have any suggestions on what I can check vice taking it back to the dealer?

[WaltW]

My WH wouldn't work at altitude 7000 ft. 2 weeks of cold or GI showers. Propane devices may require adjustment for altitude. Low water pressure may also be a factor. I was told to use water pump, still didn't work. Worked OK once we came down in alt. No longer have problem...replaced with 6 gal gas/electric WH.

[JDSport]

Walt, I was actually at a lower altitude on this past trip than I was on the previous two when the burner worked fine. I know that these water heaters are temperamental at higher altitudes but at least the burner was igniting before.

[JDSport]

I spoke with Girard technical support yesterday and through their assistance determined that the issue is with a stuck proportional valve that supplies propane to the burner. Banged on it with a wrench and she fired right up. Now I have to determine if I'm savvy enough to replace the valve myself or if I can at least limp along through the season and wait 'til fall to take it into the dealer.

[RaceChaser0]

Just wanted to thanks for this thread! Had the exact same problem
Saturday while boondocks G with our 2016 31FK. Worked fine our first 5 trips then just randomly stopped working (we had a weird water pump surging, inconsistent flow that I think lead to this issue). Read this thread, hit it a few times with a wrench while it was trying to ignore and boom, problem solved! Still trying to figure out the intermittent water surging, but that's for another day.
Thanks again!

[JDSport]

Glad my thread was helpful. Girard actually sent me a replacement valve and reimbursed me for 1 hour's worth of labor to have the valve replaced.
Been working fine ever since.

Cheers

[RaceChaser0]

I assume your were able to get the replacement based on your phone conversation? If this problems happens again, I'll give them a call. Did you replace it yourself? It's all still under warranty, but I would rather do the work myself so we don't lose out on the time it would be in the shop.

[JDSport]

I worked with Scott Thomas to get the replacement part.

scott.thomas@greenrvproducts.com

I did not want to go to the dealer because I knew they would have to most likely keep my rig for an extended time. I used a local shop that could get me in quickly and the water heater manufacturer paid to have the part installed.

[Shultz01]

My water heater did the same thing. Jayco sent me a new water heater and I installed it myself to save the time as well. I also had to move the new water heater to a different position on the fuse panel to get it work. It had me fooled for a while because the bunk DVD players were working and they were on the same position on the fuse panel as the water heater. Apparently that position was okay for the DVD players, but not the hot water heater.

[FredRV]

Thank you for the post, that fixed mine.

[whporwil]

Those that replaced their Girard ghwh-2 with a tank heater, what did you do with your girard unit. I love mine so far and I'm thinking replacing my tank heater in my park model with a new gen. girard.

[ChrisMic]

After trying everything hit ours with a hammer and its been working for two years now. If water pressure is low we go on pump and it works great.