I have a 1997 prowler can't get hot water heater to light

Generally, if a RV water heater is self igniting, then it is not designed to be lit manually. If you remove the outside vent cover door, then the unit can be observed. The self igniter should be visible at a point of where the pilot light is located. The problem with trying to light the water heater manually is that the circuit that activates the igniter also turns on the gas at the same time. If the igniter is not getting power, then most likely the valve to turn on the gas is not getting power either. If the problem is that the igniter itself has failed, then it may be possible, but unlikely, that with someone inside activating the turn on switch and a flame being applied to the pilot light area, at the same time, the pilot may light.

http://waterheatertimer.org/Atwood-water-heater-resources.html#gas-valve

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UC18HU/?tag=waterheaterti-20

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html

Clean air intake located on bottom of heater?
Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Bosch_10P-water-wizard.pdf

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You need to visit a local dealer...any RV dealer. They should provide a general walk through as a courtesy. Pay them for a maintenance inspection and they can provide a detailed explanation of their work. After that you might be able to troubleshoot/repair simple problems yourself.

Copy following links for possible troubleshoot resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Atwood-water-heater-resources.html
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/
Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Copy following link for possible troubleshoot resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Atwood-water-heater-resources.html
Might want to call service technician instead of messing with gas appliance.
Or sent to service center.
Install 20 gallon under counter electric water heater and connect to 120Volt... 1500 watt element will heat water pretty quickly. To have more hot available, turn up water heater thermostat, then that will give 2 showers because more cold will be added to very hot water, thereby stretching amount of available hot..
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-under-counter-water-heater.html
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If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Your blower should run from before the heater lights until after it has shut off. Even if you're not using water, it will cool, and the heater will have to light to maintain temperature.

the gas valve is what you need to replace, the thermocoupling only tells the gas valve that it is ready for a flame and lets a little gas out, but the gas valve is not letting the gas out,, there is a screen in the gas valve it may be clogged not letting the gas thru, but at the age of your unit I would even consider changing the unit insted of investinf more money into this one