I taught myself to handle most RV repairs through a combination of YouTube videos, forum threads, and expensive mistakes. The expensive mistakes were the best teachers. This guide covers what I eventually figured out — without the part where you strip a bolt, order the wrong component, and wait a week for the right one to arrive. A failing furnace igniter or control board in a fifth wheel isn’t a convenience problem — when you’re parked in the Rockies in October and your Heartland Eddie Bauer Signature decides to stop producing heat at 11pm, it becomes a safety problem fast. The igniter is usually the first thing to go, but a bad control board will send you chasing ghost symptoms for days if you don’t know what you’re looking at, and replacing the wrong part first is exactly the kind of hundred-dollar lesson I’ve already paid so you don’t have to.
Parts & Tools You’ll Need
- Suburban/Atwood RV furnace replacement unit
- Furnace igniter electrode assembly
- Furnace sail switch
- Furnace circuit board / control board
- Furnace high-limit switch
- Furnace blower motor (12V DC)
- Propane/CO combo detector alarm
- Digital multimeter (auto-ranging)
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Step-by-Step Repair Guide
Step 1: Disconnect Power and Verify Safety
You’ll need to disconnect the 12V DC power supply at the battery disconnect switch or remove the negative battery terminal to prevent electrical shock during diagnostics. Check that your Propane/CO combo detector alarm is functioning properly before beginning work, as you’ll be working near the propane supply line and combustion chamber.
Step 2: Access the Furnace Assembly Location
Locate the furnace unit in your Heartland Eddie Bauer Signature—typically mounted in the basement or under-floor storage area near the fresh air intake. Remove the furnace access panel by unbolting the 4-6 fasteners (usually 3/8″ or 1/2″) and carefully set aside, noting the orientation of any gasket material for reinstallation.
Step 3: Test Igniter Electrode with Multimeter
Set your digital multimeter to the resistance (ohms) setting and probe both terminals of the furnace igniter electrode assembly to measure continuity—you should read between 4-14 ohms for a functional electrode. If the reading shows infinite resistance or open circuit (OL display), the igniter electrode has failed and requires replacement.
Step 4: Remove and Replace Igniter Electrode
Disconnect the two-pin connector at the base of the furnace igniter electrode assembly, then unbolt the electrode bracket from the burner assembly using a 1/4″ wrench (typically one fastener). Install the new furnace igniter electrode assembly by reversing the process, ensuring the electrode tip sits approximately 3/16″ away from the burner nozzle for optimal spark gap.
Step 5: Disconnect and Inspect Control Board Connections
You’ll need to photograph or diagram all wire connections on the furnace circuit board before disconnecting anything—typically you’ll find a 4-pin main harness, sail switch leads, high-limit switch leads, and a blower motor connector. Carefully disconnect each terminal by gently depressing the tab on each connector and pulling straight out to avoid damaging the pins.
Step 6: Remove Old Board and Install Replacement
Unbolt the furnace circuit board from its mounting bracket (usually 2-3 screws) and lift it away from the furnace housing carefully to avoid snagging remaining wires. Mount the new furnace control board in the same orientation, secure it with the original fasteners, and reconnect all terminals in their original positions using your reference photos, applying gentle pressure until you hear a click.
Step 7: Verify Operation and Monitor Performance
Reconnect 12V DC power at the battery switch and turn the furnace thermostat to the heating mode, listening for the blower motor to engage within 10-15 seconds and observing the igniter electrode for a visible spark at the burner. Let the system run for 5 minutes while monitoring the Propane/CO combo detector for proper operation, then cycle the thermostat off and on twice to confirm consistent ignition and flame establishment.
Recommended Parts & Affiliate Links
| Part | Link |
|---|---|
| Suburban/Atwood RV furnace replacement unit | View on Amazon |
| Furnace igniter electrode assembly | View on Amazon |
| Furnace sail switch | View on Amazon |
| Furnace circuit board / control board | View on Amazon |
| Furnace high-limit switch | View on Amazon |
| Furnace blower motor (12V DC) | View on Amazon |
| Propane/CO combo detector alarm | View on Amazon |
| Digital multimeter (auto-ranging) | View on Amazon |