How to Reset a Suburban RV Water Heater
On this page (4 sections)
The Short Answer: A Suburban DSI water heater can need two different resets. If the burner fails to light after three tries, it locks out; turn the water heater switch off, wait five seconds, and turn it back on. Separately, a high-temperature limit (ECO) with a manual reset button shuts things down if the water goes above 180 °F. It can only be reset after the water cools below 110 °F.
Reset 1: ignition lockout (gas)
The SW6D/SW6DE manual (opens in a new tab) says the heater tries for ignition, and if the burner doesn’t light, makes two more tries before locking out. To restart:
- Turn the water heater switch to OFF.
- Wait five seconds.
- Turn the switch back to ON. The ignition cycle starts over.
After a cylinder change, the first start-up may take several cycles while air clears the line. If it locks out repeatedly after that, stop and find the cause; see Suburban RV water heater not working on gas.
Reset 2: the ECO high-temperature limit
According to the manual, these heaters have a high-temperature limit that trips its manual reset button when water goes above 180 °F, shutting down the burner. On SW6DE and SW6DEM models with an electric element, there is also a limit with a manual reset on the electric side that shuts down the element.
The manual lists a tripped ECO reset button among the things to check before calling for service. It also says the water must be below 110 °F before the reset button will reactivate the burner or element.
What this means in practice:
- Turn the heater off and let the water cool before attempting a reset.
- Turn off 120-volt power to the electric element before working near the thermostat on the electric side.
- If reaching the button means removing a cover over electrical connections, leave it to an RV technician. The manual’s parts list shows a cover over the thermostat and high-limit.
- Don’t keep resetting it. Water reaching 180 °F means a thermostat stuck on or another fault, and repeated trips are a sign to stop using the heater.
Common reasons it won’t stay running
| Pattern | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Gas lockout every time | Empty or frozen propane supply, dirty electrode, or a board problem; see Suburban igniter |
| ECO trips repeatedly on gas | Gas thermostat stuck closed or a control fault |
| ECO trips repeatedly on electric | Electric thermostat stuck closed or a shorted element |
| Electric element burned out after storage | Element powered with an empty tank |
The manual’s most direct warning on the electric side is that powering the element before the tank is full will burn it out, even briefly. After de-winterizing, put the bypass valves back to normal and run a hot faucet until water flows steadily before switching on electric heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the reset button on a Suburban water heater? A: It’s on the high-temperature limit (ECO) at the thermostat, behind the exterior access door. On combination gas/electric models there is one for each heat source. Check your model’s manual for its location, and leave it to a technician if it sits under an electrical cover.
Q: How long do I wait after turning the switch off? A: For an ignition lockout, the manual says five seconds. For an ECO trip, wait until the water has cooled below 110 °F.
Manuals and supporting references
These links distinguish general safety information from model-specific documentation. A manual directory helps you locate your unit’s instructions; it does not establish that every model uses the same parts, codes, or test values.
- Suburban: SW6D/SW6DE/SW6DM/SW6DEM installation and operation manual (opens in a new tab)Suburban SW6D, SW6DE, SW6DM and SW6DEM direct-spark (DSI) RV water heaters.
- Suburban: service and support (opens in a new tab)Identify the appliance behind the RV badge and obtain its operating instructions.
- PG&E: recognizing and responding to a gas leak (opens in a new tab)Emergency actions for suspected fuel-gas leaks.
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