Burnt Water Heater Wires

[Flip94ta]

I’m looking for feedback on what caused these wires to burn. I ran a long piece of plastic tube downward and upward several times through the intake/exhaust pipe and I’m pretty sure there are no blockages. I went all the way though about 6 times and saw no debris. Since the foam on the pressure valve also burnt I suspect I’m looking at a propane flashback of some sort?

[Ynot4me2]

I'm guessing there might have been a little critter nest in the propane tube or webs.

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[Dick Noble]

Had this happen on a previous 5er. The mother board shorted out. Cost me $300 to have a mobile tech replace it.

[Flip94ta]

I haven’t it checked yet since I just pulled it from storage but I’m pretty sure both the electric and propane heat sources still work. What are the two things under the pad that the wires go to? Are they the temp sensors?

Those pics don’t look as good on here as they do on my phone. The burning stops right at the pressure valve. It’s definitely flame related vs electrical. The connector for the two red wires and the bottom of the ground wire were both singed. It’s always something. Putting in an order for bug guards.

[Heavysledz]

given the location of your pressure relief valve output, it could have been the result of a small water leak from the valve resulting in a short of the wires below to the metal heat shroud on the left. The propane flashback theory is also valid. Both switches are easily replaced if that and the wiring is all that was affected.