Truma boiler gone awol

[hughman]

Hi All,

 

just got a PVC with a Truma boiler. It worked fine while I was bringing it back from Germany a month ago, 2 or 3 nights with heating and hot water. We then went away for a weekend in it, and boiler wouldn't work. It fires up and then cuts out shortly after with the control unit showing an error light.

 

It's a Truma Combi 4, running on Gaslow lpg, installed by the dealer. The cooker works ok, so not a gas flow problem as such. The supplying company reckoned it was a faulty pcb on the boiler and sent me a new one - replaced it, exactly the same problem.

 

Took it to a Truma dealer yesterday, and now £108 lighter and none the wiser They think it may be the pcb, but that implies that 2 new pcbs were both dodgy - unlikely. They tried another regulator - no good.

 

I'd very much appreciate any ideas before I throw more money at it here. Failing sorting it here, I'll have to go back to the German dealer and get them on it, which I'd rather avoid as it will cut into our time away this summer.

 

Thanks.

[snowie]

hughman - 2013-06-20 11:30 AM

 

Hi All,

Took it to a Truma dealer yesterday, and now £108 lighter and none the wiser They think it may be the pcb, but that implies that 2 new pcbs were both dodgy - unlikely. They tried another regulator - no good.

 

I'll have to go back to the German dealer and get them on it,

Thanks.

 

Hello Hugh;

I'd be in contact pretty quickly with Truma, and the German dealer.

If the van is new, and you are the first owner, I'd expect the dealer who sold it to you to stand the costs involved in sorting out the problem. Second, I'd expect Truma to be pretty unimpressed with their dealer's response.

Third I'd expect a cheque in the post, if not from the uk Truma dealer, then from Truma. Would I go back to them? I think I'd look elsewhere, maybe someone on this forum will have a suggestion.

 

It will be interesting to hear how this is resolved, and I hope all goes well

[Guest JudgeMental]

Dealer will pay for it and not quibble, I know form experience...they are very good.

 

But it is covered by a Truma Europe wide warranty...Dont see the point or need to take it to Germany *-)

[Brian Kirby]

Have you tried contacting Truma UK direct? Many say they are very helpful, and you can arrange to take your van to them for repair if the dealers can't cope.

 

I have to say charging that much for a no-fix seems a bit steep. If they can't even work out where the problem is for their money, they really shouldn't be claiming to be Truma experts.

[Guest JudgeMental]

I feel a likle bit responsible as it was moi who recommended dealer. I just called Truma on 01283 586020

 

They said you should not have been charged and should have refused. They have asked that you read the PCB fault code and report it back to them, then they can tell you a dealer to take it to with the knowledge to fix it *-)

 

its a repeating 8 sequence flashing LED apparently...maybe call them if unsure.

 

troubleshooting: on page 19 of this PDF, but I dont think this is what the chap was talking about as got the impression LED is on the PCB (if that makes sense) and doc talking about panel leds

 

http://www.truma.com/downloadcenter/combi_4e_6e_operating_de_gb_fr_it_nl_dk_es.pdf

 

this may be more useful:

 

http://users.telenet.be/S-cargo/manuals/bcl_769_2_1_0_en.pdf

[hughman]

Hi All,

 

thanks for replies, which unfortunately I missed before going out to check if any pipes were damaged on the van. All ok there, but I've lost the fault code readout that I recorded originally, so will go back tomorrow and re-read it, then engrave it on my heart!!

 

When I did it before, the code wasn't on the list held by Duemo in Germany, so I don't know who's got the right list now. The result of that was their sending me a new pcb as it seemed to be indicated as faulty.

I shall now re-read and then call Truma here on the number Eddie's given, and see what they say.

 

It's all fantastically annoying, as it's probably something really simple, but what with that, car trouble and leaky house roof, I'm getting a bit hacked off with so-called inanimate objects >:-(

[Brian Kirby]

Oh, how I know what you mean !!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

[snowie]

hughman - 2013-06-20 4:18 PM

 

Hi All,

It's all fantastically annoying, as it's probably something really simple, but what with that, car trouble and leaky house roof, I'm getting a bit hacked off with so-called inanimate objects >:-(

 

Oh dear; motorhomes, mechanics and builders; a most unholy trilogy; you have my sympathy

regards

alan b

[rolyk]

We recently had a similar problem with our Combi 6e that I've managed to fix today. Whilst it worked perfectly on mains electricity, on gas it would go through the ignition cycle and it would either light for a few seconds and go out, or not light at all. It would then flash a red light for a few seconds then go through the process again and again. The flashing error message on the pcb was eight quick flashes which wasn't listed on the faults chart. Strangely, when we were on hookup the gas heater worked perfectly.

 

I checked the voltage at the Combi pcb and, when it went to ignite, the voltage dropped dramatically to around 11v. With the hookup in place and the habitation battery being charged it only dropped marginally. So I'd narrowed it down to insufficient voltage during the ignition phase so I checked all the fuses to find a blown 20 amp fuse marked Engine Battery. I'm not sure what this fuse protects but replacing it has got me a fully working Combi. All that remains is to cancel the Truma engineer!

 

I wonder how many expensive pcb's have been unnecessarily changed when the problem lies elsewhere.

 

 

[bigal55]

stating the xxxx obvious but have you removed the vent,

[hughman]

The fault code is the same as I had before I replaced the pcb.

 

Fault code is

212 l,l,s,l,s,l,s,s - Gas pressure regulation system

defective

- Electronics defective

- Gas supply interrupted

- Error in the electronics

Check / replace the gas pressure

regulation system

- Restart the heater

- Check the power supply

Replace PCB

 

Tried new regulator and PCB - no good. The mystery remains.

 

I'm now booked in to Truma up in Derbyshire, about 5 days before we're due to go abroad for 6 weeks :-(

 

I'm working on the theory that as the main base in the country, they should have all the parts on hand and get it fixed somehow, especially as my continuing presence there could be a bit of an embarrassment for them .............

 

I'm underwhelmed by their dealer network though >:-)

[Guest JudgeMental]

Well there is a chap in Wokingham that is very good and I am sure he could sort it.. Really knows his stuff. And he will see you monday week. To rely on the Truma UK outfit foolish IMO, particularly so close to a trip

 

The German dealer will pay anyway and reclaim from Truma his end.

 

 

 

 

[rolyk]

hughman - Appart from differing fault codes your symptoms sound very similar to mine. It might be worth having the battery on charge when firing it up to see if the increased voltage makes any difference. I would also check the voltage at the pcb during the start up phase to see if it drops significantly when the gas ignites. If it does you could try connecting the 12v tags on the pcb directly to the battery. At least this would confirm that the fault lies within the unit and not with the van wiring.

 

I think the chance of having a fault with the replacement pcb is most unlikely, particularly as the same fault code is showing. A fauly thermocouple is another possibility which might not be detecting the flame and shutting it down.

 

Roly

[Guest JudgeMental]

try al the above + try a standalone gas bottle

[Robinhood]

hughman - 2013-06-22 10:13 AM

 

 

I'm now booked in to Truma up in Derbyshire, about 5 days before we're due to go abroad for 6 weeks :-(

 

 

....had a recall done there on a C6000 series heater on a previous 'van. They are very well equipped with full workshop facilities, and should be able to sort things.

 

Hope they let you wait in the canteen, where you can (or at least could) get a very nice bacon sarnie whilst you wait.

 

Good Luck

[hughman]

Robinhood - 2013-06-22 1:40 PM

 

They are very well equipped with full workshop facilities, and should be able to sort things.

 

Hope they let you wait in the canteen, where you can (or at least could) get a very nice bacon sarnie whilst you wait.

 

Good Luck

 

That's what I'm expecting, and a bacon sarnie would also be very acceptable :-D

[snowie]

rolyk - 2013-06-22 11:04 AM

 

hughman - Appart from differing fault codes your symptoms sound very similar to mine. It might be worth having the battery on charge when firing it up to see if the increased voltage makes any difference. I would also check the voltage at the pcb during the start up phase to see if it drops significantly when the gas ignites. If it does you could try connecting the 12v tags on the pcb directly to the battery. At least this would confirm that the fault lies within the unit and not with the van wiring.

 

Roly

 

You clearly have the confidence to "have a go" Roly, based on knowledge and experience? us lesser mortals have to rely on dealers and specialist tech's; a bit of a bummer, but usually the case,

alan b

 

 

[rolyk]

No knowledge or experience, just a desire to get it fixed without an expensive bill! In fact my lack of knowledge is demonstrated by my reference to a thermocouple. I've since found out that the Combi doesn't have one and the flame detection is done by other means.

 

Our problem started a month ago at the beginning of a two week trip to the Highlands. Apart from the times we were on campsites we used the kettle for hot water. Not a big deal, but it might have been if we'd wanted heating, but the weather was kind.

 

I think that you're taking the right course by getting Truma to fix it, despite the trek to get there and back.

 

 

[hughman]

We did the same (kettle) on our recent trip to Skye and were also relatively lucky with weather. However, it's not the long-term answer, hence Truma in Derbyshire. It feels like a waste of time and money, but I can't see a better way to get the thing fixed once and for all - if they can't do it, nobody can.

[snowie]

hughman - 2013-06-22 10:41 PM

 

However, it's not the long-term answer, hence Truma in Derbyshire. It feels like a waste of time and money, but I can't see a better way to get the thing fixed once and for all - if they can't do it, nobody can.

 

I don't think it's either hughman; it's common sense and sensible. Gas, electrics and lack of experience could be a fatal combination: not worth penny pinching. I hope you resolve all issues,

regards

alanb

[Guest JudgeMental]

It's a brand new van not a month old...covered by warranty. It will cost Hugh nothing if he keeps the supplying dealer informed....

[Mel B]

Your problem sounds very similar to the one we had whilst in Germany recently. It turned out to be ... which a Truma mobile engineer replaced under warranty and since then it has worked perfectly.

 

I think it was the 'combustion air infeed' unit (fan) that was faulty which was replaced, as shown (no 11) in the below diagram. The engineer had had the part with him in his van for years and never thought he'd really need it as, in all his years as being a Truma engineer (over 15) he'd never had to replace one before! he was also surprised that we had a 2 year warranty as it is normally only covered for a year in Germany, so it saved us paying a big bill of €280.50! :-D

[colin]

Only just seen this, tried to find the fault code we had but no luck, anyway ours turned out to be poor conection on back of control unit, pulled it off then reconected and a wriggle and all was well.

[Mel B]

colin - 2013-07-01 11:27 PM

 

Only just seen this, tried to find the fault code we had but no luck, anyway ours turned out to be poor conection on back of control unit, pulled it off then reconected and a wriggle and all was well.

 

Yup, that's one of the common faults apparently on some models - we rang Camper UK from Germany and spoke to one of the technicians who gave us some things to check out and this was one of them.

[hughman]

I've tried disconnecting and reconnecting a variety of bits, without success. However, Mel's combustion feed thing sounds interesting - I'll suggest it when I take the van up to Truma's in a couple of weeks' time.

 

You wouldn't think it could be so difficult to burn a bit of gas >:-)