Girard Water Heater: “E2”
warning RV water heater fault codes
What it means
Flame sensing was interrupted during normal operation. The burner had lit, but the board lost the flame signal mid-run and shut the heater down with a buzzer/lockout.
Most likely causes
- Intermittent or low propane supply / regulator starving the burner most likely
- Air in the gas line common
- Dirty or misaligned flame sensor/igniter not reliably reading the flame common
- Wind or downdraft at the exterior vent blowing out the flame less common
- Loose flame-sense wiring connection less common
Safe checks you can do yourself
- Verify adequate propane supply and that no other appliance is starving the line.
- Purge air from the gas lines by running another propane appliance first.
- Check the exterior vent for wind exposure, obstructions, or insect nests.
- Confirm wiring to the igniter/flame sensor is seated.
How to reset / clear E2
- Turn the heater off at the control panel.
- Wait about 10 seconds and turn it back on.
- Run hot water to restart the ignition sequence.
When to call a technician
If E2 recurs with confirmed good gas supply, have a technician inspect/clean the flame sensor and igniter and verify gas pressure.
Applies to
GSWH-2 · 2GWHAM
FAQ
What does Girard Water Heater code "E2" mean?
Flame sensing was interrupted during normal operation. The burner had lit, but the board lost the flame signal mid-run and shut the heater down with a buzzer/lockout.
How do I reset Girard Water Heater E2?
Turn the heater off at the control panel. Wait about 10 seconds and turn it back on. Run hot water to restart the ignition sequence.
What is the most common cause of E2 on a Girard Water Heater?
The most likely cause is intermittent or low propane supply / regulator starving the burner.
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Sources
- Girard Products GSWH-2 Technical Manual — GSWH-2 Technical Manual, E2 flame sensing interrupted during normal operation (Girard Products / ManualsLib)
- Girard GSWH-2 Tankless Water Heater Technical Manual and Troubleshooting Guide — Fault code list, E2 flame sensing interrupted (same causes as E1) (Manuals.plus)
Note: E2 shares its likely causes with E1 (gas supply, air in lines, sensor). The distinction is timing: E1 is no light at startup, E2 is loss of flame after it was running.
● Last verified 2026-06-29 · compiled from manufacturer documentation. Codes can vary by model year — always cross-check your unit’s manual.