Truma Combi 4E heater cuts out on both gas and electric

Gail-force

Gail-force

Joined
Aug 18, 2021
Posts
61
Likes collected
204
Location
Co. Durham
Funster No
83,527
MH
Autocruise Starburst
Exp
6 years - Caravanning before that
Hi all, My Truma Combi 4E heater cuts out on both gas and electric... it'll run on 1 and 2 although not noticeably throwing any heat out, and as soon as I dial it to 3, the lights in the van will flicker then a few seconds later the control panel has the red light of doom and shuts down. Is this a thermostat problem? it's in the garage tomorrow to be looked at, but TBH I think the combined knowledge of this site is way better than my Mechanic who BS'd me the last time it was in for the same problem.
 
The most likely common denominator between the two power sources could be a fan fault ?? Or, one of the PCBs is kaput, [ technical term for a dry joint on the board somewhere ].
If you can get a definitive answer update the thread, it all helps with the collective data base. Good luck.
Mike.
 
Is the leisure battery fully charged ? if it is not there may not be enough power for the fan in the combi to operate , as it should , causing a shutdown.
 
Check the fan isn't clogged up with dust, etc as that can hamper it's operation.

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I would suggest looking at the fan. Possibly not spinning quick enough to get the heat out. Has fan been noisy before?
 
What vintage is the van ?
 
If your leisure battery is dead or dying it is very likely the cause. Disconnect the negative and see if the system runs ok powered by the mains charger alone.
Edit. Not sure what charger you have so you might need to check that it is up to doing this first.
 
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Hi all, it's hooked up to the mains when on electric (& gas) it's an 09 Autocruise Starburst, prior to it cutting out it would be running fine (through the night on 2 to keep the chill off) then the fan would kick in and be on full blow for several minutes...and at this point I usually turned it off in case it blew up! I really don't know if it has any thing to do with the leisure battery..it seems unlikely, but there are so many variables I really can't say...also, even when it's running fine there's an amber light on the dial...Tyne Valley MotorHomes (where I got it from) said it was fine and not to worry, I was sceptical, but it was working fine, and the old adage about if it aint broke...at this point I just want your input so when I drop it off tomorrow to the garage I can give him a list of possible options to look at

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Gail-force said:
...also, even when it's running fine there's an amber light on the dial...
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I think that means it's heating the hot water but don't have the manual to hand. Ours is illuminated most of the time as well.
 
If the light is on the power selection switch dial then that is indicating 230v is being used for a extra heating power source and is correct for it to be illuminated when using 230v setting on EHU, the fan going fast sometimes is normal and slows down after a while. The Truma combi is a 12volt system which is powered by the leisure battery including all of its electronic controls with the 230 volt supply to the Combi only used to power heating elements for use when on EHU instead of , or in addition to, gas. That is why I think the Garage needs to look at the leisure battery voltage and check it is being charged as it should be and also holding its charge, to enable it to run the Combi 12 volt system electronics correctly.
 
Thanks GeoffnDee, that sounds plausible...I'll write that down and give it to the garage...it would be great if the whole problem is just down to a defunct battery
 
In all honesty, I didn't know I could run the heating when the engine was running :oops: I'll try that before I drop it off today, Thanks

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Gail-force said:
In all honesty, I didn't know I could run the heating when the engine was running :oops: I'll try that before I drop it off today, Thanks
Click to expand...
If you have a UK built motorhome you probably can’t. They have the weird idea that the domestic electric services should be shut down when the engine is running.
 
I believe some later UK built motorhomes can now have the heating running when under way, which they could not before , as long as they are fitted with the required safety gas cut off equipment , but I do not know if a 2009 Autocruise would be fitted with this set up as required for its operation (unless retro fitted)
 
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Hi all, I have 2 threads running with problems on my van, one is this one and I also have a problem with my battery & lights not working...thanks to the combined helpfulness of everyone here it was mooted that all the problems could stem from my duff leisure battery...so I scrounged a spare from my brother (Thanks Andrew!) and fitted it myself (OK, not a great achievement for most of you, but I'm chuffed) and ta-dah! everything now works...I suppose in hindsight the heating won't work on Gas cos the fan can't spin without electric (Duh!) but anyway, many thanks for all your help and hopefully someone may have the same problem, read this thread and also fix their van!
 
Gail-force said:
Hi all, I have 2 threads running with problems on my van, one is this one and I also have a problem with my battery & lights not working...thanks to the combined helpfulness of everyone here it was mooted that all the problems could stem from my duff leisure battery...so I scrounged a spare from my brother (Thanks Andrew!) and fitted it myself (OK, not a great achievement for most of you, but I'm chuffed) and ta-dah! everything now works...I suppose in hindsight the heating won't work on Gas cos the fan can't spin without electric (Duh!) but anyway, many thanks for all your help and hopefully someone may have the same problem, read this thread and also fix their van!
Click to expand...
Pleased to hear you're sorted (or at least know what the problem is) and good on you for coming back and letting us know.(y) Unfortunately, some don't.:(
 

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