RV furnace increases air temperature and turns it into hot air through current or propane, and air circulates in the interior. It has a blower which works as a fan, gets current through the motor and provides hot air.
RV furnace blower won’t start due to a loose wire connection, malfunctioning switch, damaged battery, malfunctioning thermostat, incorrect circuit, broken motor, faulty sensor, low propane pressure, and clogged vents.
Many people leave the RV furnace without cleaning and weekly maintenance. However, I clean its air filters and vents for better results.
| Problems | Solutions |
| Loose wires connection | Tighten the loose connections or replace the wires. |
| Malfunctioning switch | Replace the switch |
| Drained and damaged battery | Clean the terminals or replace the battery |
| Malfunctioning thermostat | Change thermostat battery |
| Incorrect circuit function | Reduce electric load and stabilize current |
| Broken motor | Replace the motor |
| Low propane pressure | Repair or replace propane tank regulator |
| Clogged vents | Clean the air filters |
Loose wires connection
The RV furnace connects with the electric system through electrically working wires. These cords break down with time.
Moreover, they lose their connection point. Their incorrect and loose connection reduces the power flow.
As a result, the system cannot get enough current supply. In addition, it loses the standard response because the loose wires cannot stabilize the current flow.
The loose and damaged electric wires can affect the motor performance of the blower. As a result, it malfunctions and cannot provide hot air inside the interior.
You can troubleshoot the electric wires and their connecting points. Moreover, you can inspect the cords and their stability.
You can access the fault and damage through visual checking. As a result, you can re-tighten all the loose electric wires.
You can connect them to the electric flow system. However, you can remove the broken wires from the system and replace them with new and compatible cords.
The electric flow stabilizes, and its blower starts.
Malfunctioning switch
You can find a sail switch inside the RV furnace, which regulates its performance. Also, it handles its response to electric signals.
It prevents its ignition when the blower does not spin at the standard speed. As a result, the drained battery cannot supply electric power to the blower.
It does not move at the optimized speed. Clogging of air intake units can damage the sail switch.
It does not turn on and prevents its ignition. However, you can repair the switch by cleaning the clogged intakes of the exhaust system.
Cleaning of these air intakes is essential for maximum ventilation. Then, you can turn off the built-in temperature regulator for 2 to 4 minutes.
The system resets, and the switch starts functioning. You can replace the sail switch when cleaning does not support its functionality.
The malfunctioning thermocouple can restrict its blower from standard performance. This is because the thermocouple regulates the gas-releasing patterns.
Excessive gas release can cause suffocation which kills individuals. A malfunctioning thermocouple stops the furnace from releasing the gas at a standard level.
You can clean the thermocouple with a soft cloth and remove the debris. As a result, it works at standard level and turns on its blower.
Drained and damaged battery
RV battery supplies electric power to all the electrically working systems. It sends electric signals to the RV furnace and its blower motor.
The internal damages and short circuits damage the batteries. Their excessive use results in their complete drainage.
They cannot supply power in both conditions. The drained and malfunctioning battery cannot turn on the blower because it lacks power.
You can inspect the battery and check its voltage level. In such circumstances, you can compare the voltage with standard levels and stabilize them.
You can replace the malfunctioning battery with a new power system and fix the problem. Sometimes, the battery terminals undergo corrosion which damages it.
The battery cannot get enough charge during the charging procedure. The battery malfunctions and reduces the performance of the alternator.
Rusting of its terminals restricts the electric power flow. As a result, electric current cannot reach the blower through the electrically working cords.
You can clean these terminals with domestic cleaners. However, you can mix vinegar and baking soda.
Spray the cleaner on the terminals and leave the solution on the terminals for 5 to 10 minutes. It makes bubbles, and you can scrub it through the brush.
You can remove the corrosion layers and wipe them with wet cotton swabs.
Malfunctioning thermostat
RVs have a thermostat that regulates the temperature of the furnace and air conditioner. They have different categories according to their performance.
Debris and dirt particles can damage the thermostat. Electrical failures, voltage surges, and incorrect power flow can cause malfunction.
It stops the blower from standard performance. For example, the furnace blower of the RV does not start when the thermostat malfunctions.
You can troubleshoot the thermostat with the digital multimeter. In such circumstances, you can connect the multimeter to the thermostat and check the signals.
You can access the errors and replace the thermostat battery. Then, you can change the thermostat when it does not respond to the new battery.
Incorrect circuit function
An electric circuit monitors and controls the RV furnace blower. The breaker undergoes tripping when the voltage flow changes.
As a result, the furnace turns on for 1 to 3 minutes and turns off. It happens when the electric load increases in the circuit.
Clogged and dirty air filters can increase this voltage load which causes ampere fluctuation. The blower does not start because voltage does not flow towards it.
It has a capacitor that works on continuous voltage flow. Shorts circuits can break the capacitor, which stops its performance.
You can inspect the electric circuit or take professional help. Also, you can troubleshoot the circuit breaker.
Repair or replace the breaker and stabilize the voltage flow.
Broken motor
Propane supplies power to the furnace and blower, and its motor gets the electric power from the battery. Excessive use of the motor can increase its temperature, which leads to overheating.
Sometimes, moisture enters the electric motor and reduces its performance. The malfunctioning motor cannot supply electric signals to the blower.
As a result, it does not start, and you cannot use the RV furnace. However, you can fix this fault by inspecting the motor and replacing it with a new option.
However, professional replacement is better, but you can perform it with your technical skills. For example, you can inspect and count the number of wires for replacement.
You can remove the panels, access the motor and pull it off by removing the screws. Now, you can adjust the mounting brackets, change the screws and adjust the motor in its housing.
You can tighten the screws by aligning the holes. Furthermore, you can reinstall the electric cords and change the capacitor for optimized performance.
Low propane pressure
RV propane tank has regulators for supplying gas to the furnace blower and regulates its optimized performance. Adequate propane flow keeps it stable.
Sometimes, the gas level reduces because the regulator malfunctions. For example, the propane tank valve closes and cannot supply propane.
Excessive pressure, more use, and dirt can break these regulators. They cannot supply continuous propane for its standard performance.
You can fix the fault by turning off the tank flow and reopening it gradually. The vacuum reduces, and propane flows into the system to start the blower.
Sometimes, the propane tank regulator breaks in cold temperatures. As a result, it freezes and reduces gas flow.
You can directly pour hot water on the regulator and stabilize its performance. In addition, you can change the regulator and make it compatible with the tank valve and propane pressure.
Clogged vents
RVs have two vents on the outer side of the furnace. You can find one vent of the exhaust, which comprises an intake.
The function of its blower depends on these vents. They are air filters that undergo clogging.
As a result, they cannot filter air, and toxic gases accumulate inside the RV. In addition, the clogged air intakes apply additional pressure on the blower.
It spins at higher rotations which damages it. Furthermore, it cannot withstand excessive pressure because ventilation reduces.
The clogged air filters do allow air movement outside the RV. As a result, the blower stops working.
It does not start under these pressurized situations. You can resolve this air intake problem by cleaning the vents.
You can open the air intake and wipe off the dust. A liquid cleaner is beneficial for these cleaning procedures.
It stabilizes the RV furnace blower, and it starts instantly.
Related Articles:
Why you should not connect Brake Buddy 3 directly to the 12V RV plug?