I have a Rheem model 71-40S electric water heater that suddenly started putting out extremely hot water, then tripped the reset. I pushed in the reset then it worked again. But still too hot. What's wrong? HELP!

The reset button is tripping of electric water heater?
Replace thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Gene


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It could be element shorted to ground through steel tank, so don't touch tank when breaker is ON.
Or you have undersized 12 gauge wire and 20 amp breaker and the heat has loosened breaker on the busbar. Breaker trips when heat exceeds breaker limit. Jiggle breaker and listen for crackling sound.

To restore hot water now:
Turn off circuit breaker, and open top cover then Push in reset button on top of heater to restore functionality. Put back insulation and factory cover.
To fix water heater: test and replace bad element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
If problems continue
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker
http://waterheatertimer.org/Troubleshoot-household-electricity.html

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

Check 240 circuit breaker.
Open top cover on water heater and push in ECO red reset button.
If reset button will not reset, then replace thermostat.
If reset is not tripped out, then either upper thermostat is bad, upper element is bad, or water heater might be getting 120V instead of 240V.
If you have some hot water, then best suspect is lower element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

Upvote the help.
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You posted under Rheem 81VP which is 6 gallon point of use electric water heater.
3 things can cause problems: Power going to water heater, thermostat with reset button, and 1500watt element.
Check that 120Volf circuit breaker is not tripped.
Open cover on side of tank and push in red reset button.

If reset button is not tripped out or will not reset, and water heater has power, then replace thermostat is best start point.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

Also test element, since elements burn out:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

Upvote the help.
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Hi,

Yes, the reset probably is tripped...push in the red button hard
Then turn it on and try it...

Check out this tip..

How to replace the Thermostat and Element for Electric Hot Water Heater

heatman101

You posted under Rheem 40 gallon electric water heater, which is two-element 240Volt heater.
If this is not your heater, add a comment.

If you suddenly have no hot water, that narrows the suspect list.

Step1:
Check for tripped circuit breaker.
Open top cover on water heater and push in reset button on upper thermostat.
If reset button is tripped out, and will not push back in, then replace upper thermostat.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
Put ear against tank and listen for bubbly-fizzing sound that says heater is ON.
If reset is not tripped, then move to step 2

Step 2: use tester or multi-meter and test across top two screws on upper thermostat for 240Volt.
If heater is not getting 240V, then test circuit breaker.
Move water heater wires from 240V breaker to another same-amp 240V breaker and see if that restores power.
You may need to replace breaker:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-circuit-breaker.html
If problem persists, then you might have a line problem between breaker and water heater.
Open cover on top of heater, and check connections on top of heater.

Step 3:
If heater is getting 240V, then upper thermostat or upper element is bad.
I suggest 30 minute troubleshooting which could save you a service call, and will be valuable information in the future:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on timer.

The label would also say if water heater is gas of electric.
That would be helpful information that could lead to troubleshooting.
Serial number tells us water heater was made on Nov 1998, which tells us the manual will not be on the Rheem website.

So if you have electric water heater, and no hot water.
There can be 4 causes.
1) Circuit breaker is not delivering 240 to water heater. Test top two screws on upper thermostat to see if tank has 240V.
2) ECO red reset button is tripped. Open top cover on tank and push reset button.
3) Upper thermostat is bad. Replace thermostat.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

If I understand correctly, you have electric water heater.
Heater suddenly stopped heating.

Four things cause sudden loss of water heater.
1) Reset button located under the top cover is tripped > turn off power, remove cover, press reset button > if reset keeps tripping, go to the troubleshooting link shown below.
2) Electric power to heater is interrupted > check circuit breaker > test for voltage > look for loose wire on breaker
3) Upper element burned out > test and replace element
4) Upper thermostat bad > replace upper thermostat

Reset button is best suspect.
Here is a link for complete troubleshoot and homeowner repair of electric water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

If you don't have current, 0v from terminal to terminal, then you don't have voltage to the elements. Replace the thermostat but check that you have 220v to the thermostat. It is possible that your breakers to the unit are either bad or tripped.