Girard GSWH-2 Troubleshooting: Common Problems, Error Codes & Fixes

If your Girard GSWH-2 tankless RV water heater is not working, start with the symptom or error code instead of replacing parts at random.

The Girard GSWH-2 depends on four basic things to operate correctly:

• Adequate 12V DC power
• Adequate propane supply
• Sufficient water flow
• Proper operation of the blower, ignition system, sensors, gas valve, and control board

The GSWH-2 is a propane-fired tankless water heater. It does not use a traditional 120V electric heating element or storage tank. Its electronics, blower, ignition system, gas valve, and controls operate from the RV's 12V system. Lippert rates the heater at 42,000 BTU and says its brushless motor operates on 12V power at less than three amps.

If you already know which component you need, browse our Girard GSWH-2 Water Heater Parts.

Girard GSWH-2 Has No Hot Water

Quick answer: Check 12V power, propane supply, water flow, and the control panel for an error code.

If the heater does absolutely nothing when a hot-water faucet is opened, check:

• 12V power to the water heater
• RV fuse or circuit protection
• Water heater power switch
• Water flow through the unit
• Flow sensor
• Wiring connections
• Control board

The GSWH-2 needs to detect water flow before beginning the ignition sequence.

If the heater doesn't recognize that water is moving through it, it may never attempt to ignite.

Girard GSWH-2 Won't Ignite

Quick answer: If the blower operates and you hear an ignition attempt but the burner does not light, check propane supply, the igniter, gas valve, flame detection system, and control board.

Start with the easy things:

1. Make sure the propane tank has fuel.
2. Make sure all propane valves are open.
3. Confirm another propane appliance operates.
4. Check the wall controller for an error code.
5. Listen for the blower and ignition sequence.

An ignition failure does not automatically mean the igniter is bad.

Possible causes include:

• Low or interrupted propane supply
• Failed igniter
• Improper spark
• Gas valve failure
• Wiring problem
• Poor ground
• Control board failure

Browse Girard RV Water Heater Parts if testing identifies a failed component.

Girard Water Heater Starts Then Shuts Off

Quick answer: A GSWH-2 that ignites and then shuts down may be losing flame detection, gas supply, airflow, or a sensor signal.

Check:

• Propane pressure
• Igniter/flame-sensing assembly
• Burner condition
• Blower operation
• Air pressure switch
• Exhaust obstruction
• Wiring and ground connections
• Control board
• Error code on the wall controller

If the flame lights normally but immediately disappears, the flame-sensing circuit deserves particular attention.

Girard Tankless Water Heater Gets Hot Then Cold

Quick answer: Temperature swings are often related to water flow, cold-water mixing, incoming water temperature, or burner modulation rather than a completely failed heater.

The GSWH-2 monitors incoming water temperature, water flow, and outgoing water temperature, then adjusts burner output to maintain the selected temperature.

If the shower alternates between hot and cold, check:

• Water flow is not dropping too low
• Shower head isn't excessively restricted
• Water pump maintains steady pressure
• City-water pressure is stable
• Outside shower valves are completely closed
• Cold water isn't crossing into the hot-water plumbing
• Inlet screen isn't restricted
• Flow sensor is operating correctly

Try Using More Hot Water and Less Cold

With a tankless water heater, excessive mixing at the faucet can sometimes reduce hot-side flow enough to affect heater operation.

Instead of setting the heater very hot and mixing in a large amount of cold water, try setting the wall controller closer to your desired shower temperature and using primarily hot water.

Girard GSWH-2 Has Low Hot-Water Flow

Quick answer: Check the water supply, inlet screen, plumbing restrictions, shower head, and flow sensor.

A tankless heater requires adequate flow to operate.

Possible causes of low flow include:

• Dirty inlet screen
• Low campground water pressure
• Weak RV water pump
• Kinked plumbing
• Restricted faucet aerator
• Restricted shower head
• Mineral buildup
• Flow-sensor problem

If water flow is strong everywhere except the hot side, inspect the water-heater plumbing and inlet for restrictions.

Girard Blower Runs But Burner Does Not Ignite

Quick answer: If the blower starts but there is no flame, the heater has progressed partway through the ignition sequence. Focus on airflow proving, ignition, gas supply, and the gas valve.

Likely areas include:

• Air pressure switch
• Exhaust obstruction
• Blower speed
• Igniter
• Propane supply
• Gas valve
• Control board

The displayed error code can narrow this down considerably.

Girard GSWH-2 Error Codes

The Girard wall controller can display fault codes to help identify which part of the operating sequence failed. Lippert specifically lists Girard error codes E0 through E9 in its troubleshooting documentation.

Girard E0 Error Code

E0 = Outlet Temperature Sensor Failure

The heater is detecting a problem with the sensor used to monitor outgoing hot-water temperature.

Check:

• Outlet temperature sensor
• Sensor wiring
• Electrical connectors
• Control board connections

Do not assume the control board is bad before inspecting the sensor and wiring.

Girard E1 and E2 Error Codes

E1 / E2 = Ignition Failure

Lippert groups E1 and E2 under Girard ignition failure troubleshooting.

Check:

• Propane tank
• Propane shutoff valves
• LP regulator
• Igniter
• Spark
• Burner
• Gas valve
• Flame-sensing circuit
• Wiring and grounds

If other propane appliances are also malfunctioning, start with the RV propane supply before replacing Girard components.

Girard E3 Error Code

E3 = ECO Failure

The ECO is a safety device designed to protect the heater from an unsafe over-temperature condition or related fault.

Check:

• ECO
• Wiring
• Electrical connections
• Temperature-related components
• Control board inputs

Do not bypass an ECO or other safety device.

Girard E4 Error Code

E4 = Inlet Temperature Sensor Failure

The heater cannot correctly read the temperature of the incoming water.

Inspect:

• Inlet temperature sensor
• Sensor wiring
• Connector condition
• Control board connection

Because the GSWH-2 uses inlet temperature as part of its burner-control strategy, a faulty reading can prevent normal operation.

Girard E5 Error Code

E5 = Blower Motor Failure

The system has detected a problem with blower operation.

Check:

• Blower motor
• Wiring
• 12V supply
• Electrical connectors
• Obstructions
• Control board

The blower is a critical safety component because it establishes proper combustion airflow before ignition.

Girard E6 Error Code

E6 = Outlet Water Temperature Above 140°F

The heater has detected an excessive outlet-water temperature.

Stop using the heater until the cause has been identified.

Possible areas to inspect include:

• Water flow
• Outlet temperature sensor
• Burner modulation
• Control system
• Plumbing restrictions

An over-temperature condition should not be ignored.

Girard E7 Error Code

E7 = Linear Solenoid Failure

The fault relates to the system's linear solenoid/gas-control operation.

Check:

• Solenoid/gas valve assembly
• Wiring
• Electrical connections
• Control board output

If testing confirms a failed gas-control component, replace it with the correct GSWH-2 part rather than attempting to bypass it.

Girard E8 Error Code

E8 = Air Pressure Switch or Blower Motor Failure

This code points toward the combustion-air system.

Check:

• Blower operation
• Air pressure switch
• Exhaust vent
• Intake path
• Wiring
• 12V supply

An obstructed exhaust or airflow problem can prevent the heater from proving that it is safe to ignite.

Girard E9 Error Code

E9 = Flame Ignitor Failure

This fault points toward the flame ignition/detection system.

Inspect:

• Igniter
• Igniter gap and position
• Electrode condition
• Wiring
• Connections
• Grounding
• Burner

A cracked ceramic insulator, damaged wire, corrosion, or poor positioning can interfere with both ignition and flame detection.

Girard GSWH-2 Troubleshooting by Symptom

Here is the fastest way to narrow down the problem.

Check 12V Power Before Replacing Parts

One of the easiest things to overlook is the RV's DC electrical system.

The Girard GSWH-2 requires 12V power even though it heats water with propane.

Low voltage, poor grounds, blown fuses, loose terminals, or damaged wiring can create symptoms that look like failed water-heater parts.

Before replacing an electronic component:

• Check battery voltage
• Inspect the fuse
• Inspect grounds
• Check connectors
• Verify power at the heater

Check Water Flow

Water flow is equally important.

The GSWH-2 is an on-demand heater. Opening a hot-water faucet creates flow through the heater, which tells the system that hot water is needed.

If there isn't enough flow—or the heater doesn't detect it correctly—the ignition sequence may not start.

If you get no ignition when opening a faucet, check:

• Water pressure
• Faucet flow
• Inlet restrictions
• Inlet screen
• Flow sensor
• Plumbing connections

Check Propane Supply

If the heater attempts to ignite but cannot establish a flame, confirm the propane system before replacing the igniter or gas valve.

Make sure:

• Propane tank is not empty
• Tank valve is completely open
• RV propane regulator is functioning
• Other propane appliances operate
• No shutoff valve to the heater is closed

Repeated ignition failures can also introduce an error code, so check the wall controller after the unsuccessful attempt.

Should You Reset the Girard GSWH-2?

If the heater experiences a temporary fault, turning the water heater off and restarting it may clear the condition.

However, if the same error code immediately returns, repeatedly resetting the heater is not a repair.

Use the error code to diagnose the underlying problem.

Common Girard GSWH-2 Replacement Parts

Depending on the fault, common service components include:

• Control board
• Water flow sensor
• Gas valve
• Igniter
• Burner
• Blower
• Temperature sensors
• Air pressure switch
• Heat exchanger
• Control panel
• Pressure relief valve

You can browse Girard Tankless RV Water Heater Parts by model to identify the correct replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Girard GSWH-2 water heater turn on?

Start by checking 12V power and water flow.

The heater requires DC power for its controls and must detect adequate water flow before beginning the ignition sequence.

Why does my Girard water heater click but not ignite?

The heater may have an ignition, propane, or gas-valve problem.

Check propane supply first, followed by the igniter, burner, gas valve, wiring, and control board.

Why does my Girard tankless heater keep shutting off?

Common causes include inconsistent water flow, loss of flame detection, low propane pressure, airflow problems, sensor faults, or electrical issues.

Check the wall controller for an error code before replacing parts.

Why does my Girard water heater go hot and cold?

Temperature fluctuations are commonly related to inconsistent water flow, excessive hot/cold mixing, low water pressure, plumbing crossover, or a flow-sensor problem.

The GSWH-2 actively monitors incoming temperature, flow rate, and outgoing temperature to regulate burner output.

Does the Girard GSWH-2 need 120V electricity?

No 120V heating element is used.

The GSWH-2 heats with propane and uses the RV's 12V DC electrical system to operate its controls, blower, ignition system, and related components.

Does the Girard GSWH-2 have an anode rod?

No.

It is a tankless water heater, so there is no storage tank to drain and no sacrificial anode rod to replace.

What temperature can the Girard GSWH-2 be set to?

Lippert states that the digital control panel allows the user to select temperatures from 95°F to 124°F.

Find the Correct Girard GSWH-2 Part

The best way to troubleshoot a Girard GSWH-2 is to follow the operating sequence instead of guessing:

Water flow → blower/airflow → ignition → propane → flame detection → temperature control

Knowing where that sequence stops can often point directly toward the problem.

At RVWaterHeaterParts.com, you can shop Girard RV Water Heater Parts including control boards, flow sensors, igniters, gas valves, burners, sensors, control panels, and other GSWH-2 replacement components.