Furnace won't light

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   Hi! I have a 2005 32QB Zinger that I bought (and LOVE) used from a private party in 2006 when it was a year old. Since it was bought used, the warranty would not cover the ongoing issue I have of the furnace not lighting all the time. We have the camper parked on a permanent spot, with a 200gallon kidney propane tank that was installed by the propane company. When we get there on Friday nights (we use it every weekend) after we turn the tank on, I light the stove burner to get any air out of the line, then turn the furnace on. It will always light the 1st time, but from there on out it is hit and miss. Sometimes it will light again, sometimes it will come on, try for 3 times, then lock out for an hour. Lately, it doesn't come on again after the 1st time, so the problem is getting worse. Since I bought it from a private party, no one wants to come out and service it without huge fees. With it hit and miss, I don't want to pay for someone to sit there for hours to see if it will or will not light again. (Sorry this is getting long winded!)

I searched through past posts, and see that some people with the same problem have changed over to the Hunter brand digital thermo from Walmart, and I will be picking one up this weekend. My question is, if that doesn't work, how do I remove the furnace so I can  bring it in for repairs? It is in the kitchen under the fridge, and when I take off the grill, alls I see is sheetmetal. There is not access from outside, other than the small exhaust outlet. I am hoping I do not need to cut a hole anywhere? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I am tired of missing out on fun weekends in the winter due to lack of heat in Northern Minnesota!

Thanks!
Lynn

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Linnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum New Camper Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Furnace won't light Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 10:28am
	Hi! I have a 2005 32QB Zinger that I bought (and LOVE) used from a private party in 2006 when it was a year old. Since it was bought used, the warranty would not cover the ongoing issue I have of the furnace not lighting all the time. We have the camper parked on a permanent spot, with a 200gallon kidney propane tank that was installed by the propane company. When we get there on Friday nights (we use it every weekend) after we turn the tank on, I light the stove burner to get any air out of the line, then turn the furnace on. It will always light the 1st time, but from there on out it is hit and miss. Sometimes it will light again, sometimes it will come on, try for 3 times, then lock out for an hour. Lately, it doesn't come on again after the 1st time, so the problem is getting worse. Since I bought it from a private party, no one wants to come out and service it without huge fees. With it hit and miss, I don't want to pay for someone to sit there for hours to see if it will or will not light again. (Sorry this is getting long winded!) I searched through past posts, and see that some people with the same problem have changed over to the Hunter brand digital thermo from Walmart, and I will be picking one up this weekend. My question is, if that doesn't work, how do I remove the furnace so I can bring it in for repairs? It is in the kitchen under the fridge, and when I take off the grill, alls I see is sheetmetal. There is not access from outside, other than the small exhaust outlet. I am hoping I do not need to cut a hole anywhere? Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I am tired of missing out on fun weekends in the winter due to lack of heat in Northern Minnesota! Thanks! Lynn

Stan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Status: Offline Points: 1672	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 11:14am
	If you still have the old style mercury thermostat the new Hunter digital may very well solve the problem. If you already have another brand of digital thermostat and change to the Hunter digital it may not solve the problem. The furnace will come out from the inside. It may require you to remove the fridge in order to remove the plywood fridge support to access the furnace box though.
	Stan and Terri Oak Harbor, WA 2008 Chevy 2500HD D/A 2007 Cruiser CF30SK Glide Ride Pin Box Reese 16K Slider

Linnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum New Camper Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 11:41am
	Thank you Stan, much appreciated. Is the Hunter brand an RV thermostat or household? My local Walmart doesn't carry much in the line of RV, so I might need to order it online if it is RV specific. Lynn

Hunter11 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 13 Oct 2004 Location: Austin, Tx Status: Offline Points: 4896	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hunter11 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 11:51am
	The Hunter thermostat is not RV specific. You should be able to find one at Walmart in the section where they have AC filters or at a hardware store. Here is a link below that should help some. http://www.modmyrv.com/2008/07/14/rv-digital-thermostat
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Linnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum New Camper Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 12:42pm
	Thank you for the additional information and the link... can't wait to get up north next weekend and see if this solves the problem, fingers crossed! Lynn
	Lynn Twin Cities, MN 2005 Zinger ZT32QB

speedster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Owen Sound, On Status: Offline Points: 112	Post Options Post Reply Quote speedster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 2:49pm
	The other thing it could be is carbon (dirt) build up on the heat sensor or sparker which will cause the furnace to prevent the propane valve from opening or open it not see the heat intially and so it slames shut. I have to periodically clean mine in my house furnace as well... a piece of sandpaper is all it usually takes.
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Monty Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Weekend Camper Joined: 09 Oct 2009 Location: Hensley, AR Status: Offline Points: 71	Post Options Post Reply Quote Monty Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 3:04pm
	I had a similar issue with the fridge running on propane. Would light the first time, but had issues after that. After messing with it for a while (a couple of seasons actually since it was so sporadic), I finally discovered that the igniter (ceramic part) had detached from the bracket that holds it in place, so it was turning in the bracket . With trailer movement, it would rotate away from the grid that it was trying to light and wouldn't always ignite the gas. I rotated it back in place and put some gorilla glue on it. Works fine now. I imagine the heater has a similar igniter as I can hear it striking when it starts up. It beats replacing it since the part was thirty dollars or so. Good luck!
	Brian Montgomery Hensley, AR '05 CF29RK, '01 Ford F250 CrewCab

Linnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum New Camper Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 4:27pm
	These are both excellent suggestions, thank you!
	Lynn Twin Cities, MN 2005 Zinger ZT32QB

Linnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum New Camper Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Location: Twin Cities, MN Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 4:41pm
	"The other thing it could be is carbon (dirt) build up on the heat sensor or sparker which will cause the furnace to prevent the propane valve from opening or open it not see the heat intially and so it slames shut." Can this be accessed from outside (through the exhaust panel) or do I need to take the fridge out to do this? Lynn
	Lynn Twin Cities, MN 2005 Zinger ZT32QB

speedster Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Owen Sound, On Status: Offline Points: 112	Post Options Post Reply Quote speedster Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 2012 at 4:49pm
	On the fridge you should be able to access it from the outside, take the vent cover off the side and remove the heat shield which is usually held in place by 3 little sheet metal srews with philips heads. You should be able to see the igniter and the heat sensor... On the furnace you have to remove the access cover then the plenum cover to get at them...
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