Girard Tankless Water Heater Error Code E1
Girard Tankless Water Heater Error Code E1 means ignition failure. This fault code tells you that the water heater tried to ignite twice but didn’t ignite. Due to one of the following reasons, the tankless unit will give an E1 code on the UCP:
- Lack of Gas in the tank
- Low inlet gas pressure
- Faulty igniter
- Faulty igniter connections
- Improper distance between the igniter and the burner
- Accumulated dirt or obstruction between the igniter and the burner
- The integrity of brown and black wires on the 8-pin connector gets lost
I will walk you through every troubleshooting step to diagnose the E1 code and how you can erase it.
So, let’s dive in.
How To Fix Girard Tankless Water Heater Error Code E1 [7 Easy Solutions]
Here is a table summarizing the key information on how to fix Girard Tankless Water Heater Error Code E1:
| Error Code | Meaning | Possible Causes | Solutions |
| E1 | Ignition Failure | Lack of gas supply | Refill the gas tank with propane |
| Low inlet gas pressure | Adjust the inlet gas pressure. Verify that the inlet gas pressure is between 11” WC (minimum) and 14” WC (maximum) | ||
| Faulty Igniter | Replace the igniter if it’s at fault | ||
| Faulty igniter connections | Ensure igniter connections are secure and tight | ||
| Improper distance between the igniter and the burner | Adjust the distance between the igniter and the burner | ||
| Obstruction between the igniter and the burner | Release the blockage that accumulates between the igniter and the burner | ||
| The integrity of brown and black wire on the 8-pin connector gets lost | Ensure that the brown and black wires are tight on the 8-pin connector |
1. Lack of Gas in The Tank
We, humans, need food to get the energy. In the same way, your RV water heater also needs fuel or gas to ignite the burner. If there is insufficient gas in the tank, you won’t ignite the water heater- it doesn’t matter how many attempts you take.
How To Fix:
First, try to light other appliances like the gas stove of your RV. If the gas stove doesn’t come on, it’s time to refill your gas tank.
Once you refill the gas tank, verify you open the gas valve fully on your water heater.
Nonetheless, don’t forget to check the gas system for restrictions. It’s because restrictions in the gas system can prevent gas from getting to your water heater.
2. Low Inlet Gas Pressure
Proper inlet gas pressure is also required to ignite the water heater successfully. Otherwise, the unit will throw the error code E1, and you will fail to ignite the water heater.
How To Fix:
The inlet gas pressure should be between 11″ WC (minimum) and 14″ WC (maximum) to operate your water heater smoothly. I recommend you get a manometer and attach it to the test port.
If the test reading of gas pressure is lower than the requirements, you should adjust the inlet gas pressure. In this case, you can call a professional to do this task for you.
Besides, don’t forget to measure the manifold pressure. There should be 1.5″ WC on low heat and 7.8″ WC on high heat. If not, I bet the gas valve is not operating.
Related: Fogatti Tankless Water Heater Error Code E1
3. Faulty Igniter
Girard Tankless Water Heater has a 3-post igniter assembly. It plays a vital role in the ignition process. If the igniter gets defective, the unit will throw the E1 code on the UCP.
How To Fix:
Check for cracks on the ceramic of the igniter. If the igniter gets dirty by debris, clean it with sandpaper.
Next, inspect the wire connections. Use insulated pliers to unplug the high-voltage connection. Then, hold the connector approximately 1/8” from the case and look for a spark.
If you notice a slow spark, understand that the igniter is at fault. In this case, you need to replace the igniter. I highly recommend you call a professional to make this replacement.
4. Faulty Igniter Connections
Check the igniter wire connections at the control board. If the wire connector comes loose, it will affect the ignition process and give an E1 code on the UCP as an output.
You can find the wire connector on the top of the control board. Below, I attach a picture to help you locate the wire connector.
High voltage is sent to the igniter from the wires at the top of the control board- one is ground, and one is high voltage. There are spade type connectors between the board and the spark probe assembly.
Verify that the wire connections are good.
5. Improper distance between the igniter and the burner
Maintaining a proper distance between the igniter and the burner is a must for proper ignition. Otherwise, the tankless unit will throw the fault code E1. I recommend you check the user manual or hire a technician to make the proper distance between the igniter and the burner.
6. Obstruction between the igniter and the burner
Dirt or debris can accumulate between the igniter and the burner. Due to the dirt buildup, the igniter or the flame sensor fails to sense the spark in the burner. As a result, the control board gets no signal from the flame sensor and throws the E1 code on the UCP.
How To Fix:
Unplug the igniter assembly and check for obstructions. If required, clean the igniter. Next, release the blockage from the burner. But the best bait is to contact a certified plumber to clean the debris buildup from the igniter and the burner.
7. The Integrity Of Brown and Black Wires on The 8-pin Connector Gets Lost
If the brown and black wires on the 8-pin connector come loose, the unit will throw the E1 error code. These two wires are known as gas valve wires. Due to the loose wire connection, the gas valve receives no signal. As a result, it fails to provide or deliver any gas.
How To Fix:
Unplug the wire connector. Then, pull the brown and black wires gently to check their tightness. Visually inspect the connector and plug it back again.
Nonetheless, don’t hesitate to check the voltage between the brown and the black wires during the trial for ignition. You should have 12VDC.
End-Note
Ignition Failure is what the error code E1 resembles on Girard Tankless Water Heater. It occurs due to lack of gas in the tank, low inlet gas pressure, and faulty igniter. I broke down everything you need to reset the error code E1. So, follow the troubleshooting steps I mentioned and have the code E1 reset. Don’t forget to call a professional if you are not mechanically inclined.
Read Further:
Sohel Rana is an expert writer on plumbing, HVAC, and appliance repair & troubleshooting. Since 2020, he has written on these specific topics, though his writing journey began in 2018. To learn more about him, read About Us page.
