Girard Water Heater: “E1”
warning RV water heater fault codes
What it means
Ignition failure. The igniter sparked but the board never confirmed a flame, so after its trial-for-ignition and purge cycles the heater locks out instead of continuing to spark.
Most likely causes
- No or low propane (empty/near-empty tank, closed valve, regulator issue) most likely
- Air in the gas line after running out of propane or after service most likely
- Dirty igniter/burner, or wrong gap between igniter and burner common
- Faulty igniter or loose igniter wiring connection less common
- Low gas inlet pressure less common
Safe checks you can do yourself
- Confirm the propane tank is not empty and the gas valve is fully open.
- Light a stovetop burner or another propane appliance first to purge air from the lines after a refill.
- Check that other propane appliances ignite normally (rules out a system-wide gas/regulator problem).
- Make sure the exhaust/intake on the exterior side of the heater is clear of obstructions and insect nests.
How to reset / clear E1
- Turn the heater off at the wall control panel.
- Wait about 10 seconds, then turn it back on to clear the lockout.
- Run hot water to trigger a fresh ignition attempt.
When to call a technician
If gas is present and lines are purged but you still get E1, or if you suspect low gas pressure or a failed igniter, have an RV tech check gas pressure, the igniter, and the burner.
Accuracy notes
The manufacturer's ignition sequence explains why E1 sometimes clears on a retry: if the flame signal is lost the control reacts within 0.8 seconds, de-energises the gas valve and starts a fresh purge and ignition routine, making two further attempts. Only after three failed trials does it lock out, and then the unit has to be switched off before it will operate again. In practice the most common cause remains an empty tank or air in the lines after a bottle change.
Applies to
GSWH-2 · 2GWHAM
FAQ
What does Girard Water Heater code "E1" mean?
Ignition failure. The igniter sparked but the board never confirmed a flame, so after its trial-for-ignition and purge cycles the heater locks out instead of continuing to spark.
How do I reset Girard Water Heater E1?
Turn the heater off at the wall control panel. Wait about 10 seconds, then turn it back on to clear the lockout. Run hot water to trigger a fresh ignition attempt.
What is the most common cause of E1 on a Girard Water Heater?
The most likely cause is no or low propane (empty/near-empty tank, closed valve, regulator issue).
Related · Girard water heater
The outlet (hot side) water temperature sensor reads an invalid value.… E2
Flame sensing was interrupted during normal operation. The burner had… E3
The ECO — the over-temperature cut-off thermostat — opened, either… E4
The inlet (cold side) water temperature sensor reads an invalid value… E5
Blower/fan motor fault. The control board commanded the combustion… E6
Over-temperature. The outlet water temperature exceeded 60 °C (140 °F)…
Sources
- Girard GSWH-2 Technical / Service Manual (Model GSWH-2) — GSWH-2 Service Manual, fault code E1 Ignition failure (trial for ignition / purge sequence) (Girard Products (hosted by RV Upgrade Store))
- Girard GSWH-2 Tankless Water Heater Technical Manual and Troubleshooting Guide — Fault code list, E1 Ignition failure causes (Manuals.plus)
● Checked against 2 manufacturer documents · Last verified 2026-08-09 · compiled from manufacturer documentation. Codes can vary by model year — always cross-check your unit’s manual. How we verify