Ge Smart Shield Water Heater will not light

SOURCE: Kenmore Electric Water Heater/ Economizer 6

it usaly takes a few hours to heat up depending on water size check our breaker to see if it tripped out make sure all your wire connections are good u could take the front plate off and hit reset if you dont get hot water in a few hours ull probibly have to replace the trermostats and maby the elements its not hard to do good luck

SOURCE: elec water heater no hot water

Check the breaker to see if the unit is getting power. You will need a voltage meter to check out the thermostat on the unit and also you will need to use it to check if the elements aren't blown. Sounds like the unit isn't getting power but could be the thermostat located under one of the panels on the side of the unit.

Ned C Cook

• 3433 Answers
• Posted on May 06, 2009

SOURCE: gas smell during startup of GE hot water heater

yes, provided there is no excessive build up. The gas and air mix must be right before the mixture will ignit. a household stove will do this each time it's turned on. That's why yhe igniter sparkk hits about three times before it lights. proper venting will confine any fumes to the cimbustion chamber to be carried out the exhaust. If the odor is strong then have the appliance checked for safety sake.

SOURCE: GE Smart Water Heater Model# GE50M6A. Hot water

Hi,
Your bottom element is burned out. You will still get hot water from the top one, but like you said, not nearly as much.
Do a search for "appliance parts" and then enter your model number and you will be able to purchase the aprt online. Check a number of different sites as the prices can vary greatly. Many of these sites will have exploded views, so that you can see how they come apart and go back together. Wire the new element in exactly as you remove the old one. The bottom one will only have two wires so it is very easy.

I hope that this will help you to solve your problem!

Thanks for using Fixya!!

Heatman101

SOURCE: Hot water does not last long.

probably has a bad heating element. May be a little limed up also. Drain the heater and replace the elements. Take a special tool to remove and replace the elements. ( fairly cheap) You can probably get the elements and parts at a good hardware store. The people at the store probably will explain to you how to replace them. Feedback please if this was of help