Hi i have a power vent water heater model #-6g40pvw-40f. It go's into lock down mowed one light lit on vaction two more on A-and B is it the heating element or lighter mechanison thank you mike from iowa

Check the pilot thermocouple. You may be able to find one at a home center.

Clean arrestor screen
Avoid rheem-Richmond products since they do not post service manuals
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

Gene

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

Well I you have the problem resolved by now, but I will answer anyhow. This just happened to me yesterday with the same water heater that you have. My problem was that the flame sensor was dirty and not picking up that the burner was lit, so it shuts everything down and goes into lockout mode. I had a similar problem with my furnace lighting system. It is called flame rectification. What actually happens is the flame itself allows a small current to flow through it, so the flame sensor actuall makes electrical contact with the burner. The control senses this connection and knows then, that the flame is on. If it doesn't sense this connection, it thinks the flame is out, so it must shut off the gas valve to prevent a possible explosion. Take your burner out and clean up everything in there, being careful not to break the small glass bulb inside, which is another safety device. Fine emery cloth of a wire brush will clean up the flame sensor good. Also wire brush the burner itself, since this is the other end of the rectification circuit.

If pilot lights and flame is robust and clear blue, and pilot goes out later, then some suspects can be excluded: air in gas line, low gas pressure, thermocouple is overtightened (finger-tight + 1/4 turn), thermocouple not positioned correctly in the flame, dirty pilot tube.
If flame is yellowish and small: then clean pilot tube and combustion parts.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#clean
Remaining suspects can include: air in gas line, low gas pressure, bad gas control valve, tight house so household vent fans pull air down water heater vent that blows out pilot, hot attic with inadequate ventilation, water dripping down vent.

Open following links to read troubleshoot resources.
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Pilot-light-will-not-stay-lit.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

Fastest way to solve water heater problem is call plumber or service technician.

Open following link for typical error codes for intellivent gas valve found on newer Richmond/Rhemm power-vent gas water heaters:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Intelli-vent-gas-valve2.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Intellivent-service-manual.pdf

There is no 100% sure way for novice to repair gas water heater.
This is because electrical parts have to ohm-tested using information from service manual that is typically not sent with new water heater.
Also parts have to be cleaned. The gas pressure checked, air in gas line removed, burner tubes and pilot tube and combustion chamber cleaned, burner parts inspected for problems, air intake cleaned, exhaust vent tested.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

Best way for do-it-yourselfer to solve water heater problems is to learn as much as possible about specific model by reading product manual that comes with new heater.
The manual will show error codes.
Then keep up with yearly service recommendations shown in manual.

Most gas water heater problems today can be solved with yearly maintenance that includes cleaning burner parts, clean air intake, check venting, check electrical connections, bleed gas line, and check gas pressure.
Gas water heater manuals recommend yearly maintenance by service technician.

In past years, gas water heaters required less maintenance, but they were less energy efficient and more dangerous to operate.

Sounds like you have Intellivent gas control valve thermostat.
Open following link to identify gas valve and see error codes:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Intelli-vent-gas-valve2.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-temperature-on-water-heater.html#intelli

Error light on vacation + 2 other lights = 3 possible conditions:
1) Wiring error: check outlet with circuit analyzer:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Typical-circuit-analyzer-15.jpg
2) Pressure switch tubing not connected, air intake obstructed (clean intake), or vent exhaust obstructed (check for proper venting).
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Test-water-heater-vent-400.jpg
3) System in lockout: Low gas pressure, hot surface igniter not positioned correctly.

You can do some of this yourself.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#clean

Richmond-Ruud-Rheem
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Pilot-light-will-not-stay-lit.pdf

It sounds like you've read the manual.
And cleaned the burner parts according to manual.
You replaced thermal reset, but system is still tripping, so either the gas valve and tubing are bad, the thermocouple is bad, or there is a problem with gas pressure, or gas line.

Post question on pro water heater forum:
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

I have a 40 gal richmond water heater with power vent and had a similar roblem. I call to talk to a tech and he suggested the vacuum switch. I ordered on line. It was $43 plus shipping and I installed it and it did the job. I happy.

If this heater was manufactured after 2003 it has a FVIR filter. It is usually located on the bottom of the heater and this is where it draws air into the combustion chamber. Check to see if it is clogged with dust or lint.
because the heater probably has a sensor, it is not getting enough air and shutting off. hope this helped.