I have a Rheem 21vp50-1: Gas, blower, electic igniter.
It stopped producing hot water yesterday. I think the problem is the igniter, but wanted to confirm my suspicion before buying an ignitor.
After turning the heater on/off many times, reading the diagram, and playing around, this is what happens:
1) turn ON switch
2) blower starts
3) vaccuum switch causes controller to click (disconnecting hose prevents this)
4) gas valve turns on (won't happen until after #3). I can smell the gas.
5) a controller clicks follows-I think this is for the igniter.
6) After ~20 seconds, it repeats 3-5, but no spark, glow or flame ever occurs
It seems like the controller is doing the right thing. About 1.5 years ago the controller was replaced, but the igniter was not.
Anyway, I'm not sure how to test the igniter. Perhaps I'll put a volt meter across the igniter inputs.
Any help is appreciated.
Kitt