When your HydroFlame furnace clicks but won't light -- or won't spark at all -- the igniter electrode is one of the first components to inspect and replace. Atwood part 36997 is the factory-correct igniter electrode for the full 8935 and 8940 furnace series, covering DC, AC, and multi-stage variants. It installs in minutes and restores reliable ignition without retuning or modifying the burner assembly.
A worn or fouled igniter electrode is one of the most common causes of no-heat calls in RVs equipped with Atwood HydroFlame furnaces. Carbon buildup, corrosion, or a cracked ceramic insulator can all cause misfires, lockouts, or failure to ignite. Replacing the electrode with the correct OEM-spec part -- rather than a generic substitute -- ensures the gap, ceramic rating, and connector fit match what the control board expects.
Atwood 36997 is a direct drop-in replacement with no modifications required. It is also catalogued as NBK part number 20283, which is useful when cross-referencing through HVAC parts distributors or service networks.
Engineered to OEM specifications for the 8935 and 8940 furnace series. Mounts and connects exactly like the original electrode.
Covers all DC, AC, Stage-I, Stage-II, Stage-III, and 2-Stage variants within the 8935 and 8940 product families.
High-voltage ceramic insulator isolates the electrode tip from the burner housing, preventing short-circuit misfires during ignition.
Accessible without removing the furnace from the RV wall cavity in most installations. A standard screwdriver and spark lead connector are all that is needed.
The igniter electrode sits adjacent to the furnace burner and receives a high-voltage pulse from the ignition control board when a heat call is initiated. This pulse generates a spark across the gap between the electrode tip and the grounded burner housing, igniting the propane-air mixture. If the electrode tip is eroded, the ceramic is cracked, or the lead is broken, the board may go into lockout after repeated failed ignition attempts -- leaving you with a blower running but no heat.
Replacing the electrode restores the correct gap geometry and insulation integrity, allowing the control board to complete a normal ignition sequence.
In most HydroFlame 8935 and 8940 installations, the electrode is accessible from the exterior furnace access panel. Disconnect shore power or battery, close the propane supply, remove the burner access cover, disconnect the spark lead wire, unscrew the electrode mounting bracket, and install the new electrode. Reconnect the lead and restore power before testing ignition.