It runs when it wants and only for ten minutes or so at a time. There is a red lifght behind a small circle piece of plastic and the control panel that flashes four times. Any idea.

Maybe the relay is burned out. Its not reading the right temperature from your tank. I think that light you see blinking is a high limit switch which rests the breaker. Its highly inadvisable to touch this button when power is connected. Call a plumber out and have them check it.