Atwood Water Heater: “Gas present, no spark”
warning RV water heater fault codes
What it means
A diagnostic sub-condition of the DSI lock-out from the official trouble-shooting guide: gas is being delivered but the electrodes are not producing a spark, so the gas never lights and the board locks out.
Most likely causes
- Dirty electrodes, cracked porcelain on the electrode, or wires loose in the electrode porcelain most likely
- Improper electrode gap (should be re-set to about 1/8 inch and in the path of the flame) common
- High-tension lead wire loose, or electrodes loosely attached to the main burner common
- Defective circuit board less common
Safe checks you can do yourself
- With power off, inspect electrodes for soot, cracked ceramic, and loose wires; clean them.
- Re-set the spark gap to about 1/8 inch and make sure the electrodes sit in the gas path.
- Confirm the high-tension lead and the electrode mounting at the burner are tight.
How to reset / clear Gas present, no spark
- Switch OFF about 30 seconds and back ON after cleaning/re-gapping the electrodes.
When to call a technician
If electrodes are clean, correctly gapped, and well connected but still produce no spark, the circuit board likely needs replacement by a technician.
Applies to
G6A-8E · GC6AA-10E · GCH6A-10E · GC10A-4E · GCH10A-4E
FAQ
What does Atwood Water Heater code "Gas present, no spark" mean?
A diagnostic sub-condition of the DSI lock-out from the official trouble-shooting guide: gas is being delivered but the electrodes are not producing a spark, so the gas never lights and the board locks out.
How do I reset Atwood Water Heater Gas present, no spark?
Switch OFF about 30 seconds and back ON after cleaning/re-gapping the electrodes.
What is the most common cause of Gas present, no spark on a Atwood Water Heater?
The most likely cause is dirty electrodes, cracked porcelain on the electrode, or wires loose in the electrode porcelain.
Related · Atwood water heater
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Sources
- Atwood Electronic Ignition Water Heater Trouble Shooting Guide — Trouble Shooting Guide, section 'WATER HEATER LOCK OUT - GAS PRESENT BUT NO SPARK', effective 2/10/14 (Atwood Mobile Products LLC)
Note: Sub-condition within the single lock-out lamp indication, not a separately displayed code.
● Last verified 2026-06-29 · compiled from manufacturer documentation. Codes can vary by model year — always cross-check your unit’s manual.