Furnace In RV Not Working: 6 Common Troubleshoot or Fixes to Fix It Easily and Stay Warm

RVs allow you to travel without leaving home comfort. However, sometimes the furnace in RV not working or fails to function, leaving you freezing.

My RV furnace didn’t work last winter when I woke up on a cold camping vacation! The temperature was falling swiftly, threatening a chilly, miserable night. To my astonishment, my trusted furnace remained quiet, refusing to warm me. Imagining a night shivering under blankets made me panic.

According to the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA), 30% of RV owners had heater problems in the winter.

Bonus tip: Make sure your thermostat and fuel levels are correct before repairing. Simple modifications and adjustments frequently fix that issue!

We’ve all experienced the terrible experience of your RV freezing and the furnace breaking down.

But don’t worry! Here, we will discuss and give you information regarding the skills needed to fix common furnace issues. We’ll learn RV furnace troubleshooting techniques, find problem reasons, and suggest preventative measures. and get ready to learn how to fix your RV furnace and recover your comfortable mobile home!

Let’s get started!

Common RV Furnace Problems and RV Furnace Troubleshooting

There are a few common issues that can arise with RV furnaces, including:

• Ignition Issues: Sometime, RV furnaces might fail to ignite, leaving your RV without heat.
• Blower Fan Issues: The blower fan may fail to function, reducing heat circulation.
• Clogged Burners: Clogged burners can shut down the furnace if they are not working properly.
• Dirty Air Filters: Dirty air filters reduce airflow, reducing heating efficiency.

How to Troubleshoot Furnace Not Working in your RV?

To fix any of the above RV furnace difficulties, try taking the following steps:

• Check the thermostat batteries: Charge the thermostat batteries and set the temperature.
• Inspect the furnace: Check for loose connections, bent parts, and broken parts in the furnace.
• Clean the furnace: Clean the furnace, such as filters, burners, and blower fans.
• Check the propane supply: Ensure that there is a sufficient propane supply and full tanks.
• Consult the manual: The furnace manual instruction provides you with troubleshooting tips, solutions, and instructions.

In the end, RV furnace issues can be annoying, but you must be ready for diagnosis and maintenance to fix and reset your RV furnace quickly. Ask an expert about how to troubleshoot or repair your RV furnace.

Checking the Power Source

If your RV furnace is not working, then first check the power supply to fix the issue. It’s crucial to check the battery, which powers most RV furnaces. Some measures to consider:

Verifying that the RV battery is charged

Check the RV battery voltage to ensure appropriate charging. You can use a multimeter or voltmeter. Charge the battery if its voltage is low. Make sure all battery connections are tight and corrosion-free.

Testing if the furnace’s electrical components are working

Test the furnace’s electrical components after checking the RV battery’s charge. To check furnace components, use a multimeter or voltmeter. The furnace’s effective operation requires replacing or repairing any malfunctioning electrical components.

In the end, RV furnace troubleshooting begins with power supply testing. Always charge the RV batteries and check the furnace’s electrical components. If you can’t fix your RV furnace and If you feel the problem remains, contact an electrician to avoid more damage.

Inspecting and Cleaning the Furnace

After checking the RV batteries, inspect and clean the furnace to make sure it’s working properly. Your RV furnace may break down and require costly repairs if you ignore cleaning.

Cleaning the furnace burner and pilot assembly

Over time, the furnace burner and pilot assembly might get dusty, blocking gas flow and causing starting or heating troubles. Clean these parts to keep your furnace running. Turn off the furnace and close the gas valve before cleaning. Scrub the burner with a soft brush or vacuum, and wipe away dirt and soot. It’s best to disassemble and clean the pilot assembly separately.

Inspecting and cleaning out the air intake and exhaust vents

Proper furnace functioning requires air intake and exhaust vents to carry air into the combustion chamber for heating and remove exhaust gases. Keep both vents clean and check for blockages that might prevent the RV furnace from working. Gently brush or vacuum the area.

In the end, frequent RV furnace maintenance may prevent costly repairs and keep it running well. Don’t skip these procedures to maintain your RV furnace.

Replacing the Thermostat

A thermostat that fails may cause your RV heater to not switch on or keep you warm. Check the thermostat first to see if it’s the issue. Make sure the heater is off before testing the thermostat with a multimeter. Turn the thermostat on with the multimeter connected. The thermostat may need replacement if your multimeter doesn’t measure.

How to test if the thermostat is faulty

A multimeter is needed to test the thermostat. Disconnect the thermostat wires and set the multimeter to resistance. Attach one meter lead to each thermostat wire terminal. A thermostat measurement of zero ohms indicates proper operation. If not, you need to replace the thermostat.

Replacing the thermostat in your RV furnace

Many RV parts retailers sell thermostats. Before starting, disconnect the furnace’s energy supply and close the gas valve. Take off the thermostat cover and disconnect the wires. Note each wire’s connection. Install the new thermostat by connecting each wire to its old terminal. Replace the cover and restart the furnace. Check the new thermostat’s functionality.

Regular RV furnace maintenance is crucial, but parts might fail and need replacement. When the thermostat fails, replace it to save on costly repairs and keep your RV furnace running smoothly.

Replacing the Thermostat

A defective thermostat may cause an RV furnace to not turn on or warm. Separating the furnace from electricity and testing the thermostat with a multimeter is crucial. The thermostat may need replacement if the multimeter doesn’t read.

To test the thermostat, use a resistance-reading multimeter. After disconnecting the thermostat’s wires, connect one meter lead to each terminal. The thermostat is working if it reads zero ohms; otherwise, it needs replacement.

Most RV parts retailers sell furnace thermostats. Before commencing, cut the furnace’s electricity and close the gas valve. Remove the thermostat cover, unhook the cables, and mark their connections. Install the new thermostat, and connect each wire to the old thermostat terminal. Restart your furnace and test your new thermostat.

Checking the Gas Supply

Checking the propane tanks is the first step to ensuring the furnace has enough gas. The furnace may not warm the RV if gas is low. Leakage in the furnace’s gas valves and pipes might cause it to breakdown.

Turn off the furnace and inspect the gas pipes and valves for damage or cracks to detect gas leaks. Listen for a hissing noise from fresh gas scent in the air, or wash the gas lines and valve joints with soapy water. Before turning on the furnace, soapy water bubbles indicate leakage.

RV furnace maintenance and part replacements are essential. Checking the gas supply and repairing broken elements like the thermostat helps save on costly repairs and keep the furnace running smoothly.

Inspecting the Blower Fan

The blower fan of an RV heater spreads warm air throughout the RV. Damage to the blower fan might reduce furnace performance and prevent it from heating the RV properly. If an RV heater is having these difficulties, check the blower fan.

Removing and cleaning the furnace’s blower fan

Remove the blower fan from the furnace to check it. Disconnect the furnace’s electricity before starting. Unscrew the furnace side panel to expose the fan housing. After exposing the blower fan, use a soft brush and compressed air to clean the blades.

Testing the fan’s motor and blades

After cleaning the blower fan, test the motor and blades for maximum performance. Test and check the motor by hearing it humming when the furnace is on. As a result, testing fan blades entails physically rotating them to ensure that the air circulates easily. Lubricating the shaft bearings helps liberate fan blades.

In the end, RV furnace efficiency depends on blower fan inspection. Cleaning and inspecting the engine and fan blades frequently helps RV owners keep their furnace running effectively and comfortably during camping season.

Replacing the Ignitor

RV furnaces need an ignitor to light the gas that warms them. Like every furnace item, the ignitor can wear out and break down. If this happens, the furnace may not ignite. How to diagnose and replace a faulty ignitor:

How to test if the ignitor is faulty

A defective ignitor causes the furnace to not heat up, even with the thermostat adjusted. Remove the furnace’s front panel to check the ignitor. With the panel removed, start the furnace and check the ignitor. The ignitor is likely operating if it glows red hot but the furnace does not ignite. However, if the ignitor does not glow or glows weakly, replace it.

Replacing the ignitor in your RV furnace

To replace a defective ignitor, you must follow some steps:

• Turn off the furnace’s electricity and gas.
• Remove the furnace’s front panel to reach the ignitor.
• Unscrew the two ignitor screws.
• Carefully remove the ignitor from the furnace without damaging the wires.
• Connect the old ignitor wires to the new one.
• Install the new ignitor and tighten the screws.
• Repair the furnace’s front panel.
• Turn on the furnace’s electricity and gas to test the new ignitor.

These instructions allow RV owners to replace a malfunctioning ignitor and fix their furnace. Replace the ignitor before camping season to avoid road issues.

Warp Up: RV Furnace Not Working 

A winter RV heater is vital for pleasant camping. DIY RV furnace troubleshooting and repairs can save RV owners time and money, but some difficulties require a trained RV repair specialist. Strong gas smells, odd scents, power fluctuations, and persistent troubles after DIY fixes are signals that RV owners need expert aid.

An expert or RV furnace inspector will evaluate your furnace’s components, gas pressure, and electrical connections and wiring. For appropriate operation, the professional may propose repairs or component replacements.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

DIY RV furnace repairs may cause more damage or safety risks. RV owners should emphasize furnace safety and dependability and seek professional advice when needed. Regular furnace maintenance and cleaning may avoid problems and extend its lifespan.

Share your Experience and opinion in comment section

Your thoughts on RV furnace challenges and expert repairs are welcome. Comment in below section to help other RVers learn from your experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions: RV Furnace Troubleshooting