A faulty thermocouple may arbitrarily determine that the light is off when you want it on and vice versa. I am not sure which fixed it but my pilot stays on now! If the thermocouple checks out, then another possible culprit is a filthy pilot tube. Ensure the thermocouple is cool to the touch. First I disconnected the pilot tube from the control valve and blew compressed air through it to be sure it was clear. I had to relight the pilot. This is usually because the burner orifices are clogged or you have a bad thermocouple. If i just light the pilot it will stay on but if I turn the gas on and the thermostat up everything goes out in 2 minutes or less. Unfortunately, there are a variety of reasons why pilot lights go out, all of which are dependent on a number of factors. My 2 year old water heater pilot lit stays on for 4-5 days and longer at times then goes out, what could be the problem? Sometimes, I encountered a problem that the light RV water heater pilot didn’t work and this is so bad to me. Pilot lights can be found on furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, ranges, ovens and other appliances. Copyright© It relights just fine every time (although it’s a pain in the neck to hold that button down for a full minute, right?). any ideas? Do This When The Gas Fireplace Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit Standard gas log sets are fairly simple. I just went to the store to grab a couple th... What to Do if a Gas Furnace Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit, Troubleshooting Basic Problems of Gas Fireplaces. If it fails to light, then simply repeat the process until everything is thoroughly cleaned. Any ideas on what causes the issue and how to fix it? Try cleaning the vent underneath the water heater. This problem only occurs in the summer. As a result, the pilot doesn’t get enough fuel to stay lit. After turning the gas off and waiting a few minutes for the pilot to cool, simple take a needle and clean out the tube. Appreciate any help from professional out there. Attempts to re-light the pilot light are futile. Several possible reasons exist as to why a pilot light won't stay lit. 3 Reasons Your Furnace Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit December 4, 2020 Lexington, Lexington If it ever goes out, the appliance will have no way to achieve combustion. Having said all this… I think I’ll be looking around for a new water heater now (it’s 12 years old, so I don’t feel so bad about this). How Does a Gas Furnace Thermocouple Work... How Does a Gas Furnace Thermocouple Work? Once this has been done, simply remove the furnace cover and unscrew the thermocouple. Can anyone help I have a A.O. If this is the problem, then unkinking the tube will occasionally resolve the issue. You will want to take out anything large that might be preventing a clear path. Its purpose is to not allow the gas valve to open if the pilot light isn’t lit. Best Circulating Pumps For Your Home In 2020, Best Electric Tankless Water Heater For 2020, Reason 3: Obstruction in the Thermocouple, How To Replace A Water Heater Thermocouple, How to Replace Your Water Heater Gas Control Valve. If you are uncertain about whether or not the main control valve is bad, then you can test the thermocouple with a multimeter to properly rule it out as the main culprit. Digital multimeter; Fine-grit sandpaper; Stainless Steel Brush; What is the Difference … I had put it on very tightly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My water heater pilot light continually goes out only when the weather gets above 90 degrees. But it got worse with the new one; it would go out after every tank heated. If you are on propane by chance make sure your water column is set right at the regulator, that was a problem I had in the past, a call to your provider and they will send a tech out to check it for you. So you’ve checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. What to Do if a Gas Furnace Pilot Light ... Water Heater Thermocouple Replacement: M... Water Heater Thermocouple Replacement: Mistakes to Avoid. Take note that it’s the pilot head, not the thermocouple. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". What is the next step to fix this problem. Make sure to clear/clean out around the water heater or any nearby vents to the exterior so it can “breathe” a bit better. In some cases, it could also be an indicator of potential gas buildup. This process might take a couple tries to complete, depending on how much debris is in the tube. Another possible reason why a pilot won’t stay lit has to do with the flex tubing. So I had a hot water tank that would not stay lit for more than a month. Drip Loop. In such extreme cases, the only solution is to call in an expert to examine the water heater fully. There is a chance that your thermocouple has simply gone bad and is the reason your pilot light won’t stay lit. We’re in the same boat. Pliers. Replaced the hot water tank and it worked for a day and went out again. A healthy flame will be blue in color. On occasion, the tube can become kinked, interrupting the flow of gas. Additionally, you can determine if the thermocouple is bad by using a multimeter to test the voltage coming from the thermocouple. This is one of the most common reasons the burner won’t stay lit, even when the pilot seems to be in working order. It then shuts off the gas supply as a safety precaution. Not only does it prevent a furnace from operating properly, but an unlit pilot can also steal away the comforts of a hot morning shower. If the gas furnace pilot light won’t stay lit, the thermocouple will shut down the gas valve, so gas cannot be released into the home. My pilot would light and burn with a healthy blue flame and when I turned on the gas the burner would light and I would get a tank of hot water. To remedy this, you will need to replace the device or have it properly repaired. This usually happens when the tube is kinked at one or many points. Chances are, it’s a problem with your burner. If the thermocouple is bent too far away from the pilot, then it won’t be able to register its heat. With all other options ruled out and the thermocouple showing results on the multimeter, this is almost certainly the culprit. Willing to try anything at this point. All information is provided "AS IS." Maybe there’s a problem with your gas supply, that’s why our wall heater didn’t stay lit. Nothing has fixed the problem. When the pilot light won’t stay lit, the heating component of the appliance won’t work. If your furnace’s pilot light won’t stay on, the furnace won’t work. Pilot stays lit, thermostat doesn't click / burner off. Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out? Smith Water heater GCV 50 100 Issues. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn’t, then there’s probably a problem with your thermopile. In this case, you may need to replace your pilot light. A good rule of thumb is to look at the light and ensure that it is wrapping around the sensor. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Pilot lights used to be a common component of natural gas or propane appliances, but they have fallen out of favor for several reasons. Please click here to see the written page about 10 Reasons Why the Pilot Light Goes Out or Will Not Stay Lit. If this tube is clogged or dirty, there won’t be enough gas flow to keep the flame strong. Tools Needed. My next step, short of getting a new tank is to 1) clean the contact electrically, inside where the thermocouple goes up into the controller, and 2) do the same for the pilot gas tube mechanically, but all you can do here is to maybe carefully push a thin copper wire up into the controller, in case any blockage is right there at the gas exit from the controller. For more information about life expectancy, read this article entitled how long do water heaters last? Thermocouple problems can be fairly common, and this component is often the culprit when the water heater pilot keeps going out. I just posted a comment that should help hopefully. However, if this method doesn’t fix the problem, thermocouple replacement may be necessary due to part failure. There is gas flow to the other appliances in the house. I bet it’s an airflow issue. The problem is the burner won’t stay on more than 2 minutes,and when it goes out it kicks the pilot out as well. If this doesn’t work, than new tubing will need to be installed. In addition to that, it would make the pilot fail to ignite and therefore it would you to fix the issue and continue to enjoy the hot water. But when I would go back to look at it later, the pilot would be out. This tubing connects to the gas controller and will ensure a steady stream of gas. 1. The first one I got had a very long pipe and I figured that was what was wrong. My pilot light stays lit but the gas flame goes out after a minute. Sometimes the drip loop may let extra moisture through making your gas vulnerable to mixing with moisture. They get dirty with dust and wont allow the air to supply the gas flame. This also another possible reason why your pilot’s light won’t come on. You rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the winter months. I have a Rheem Pro50-40F hot water heater. How to Install a Gas Shut Off Valve in a... How to Install a Gas Shut Off Valve in a Gas Furnace. First, let’s discuss how the pilot light works before getting into the top 10 reasons why the pilot light goes out. suggestions. This should ensure the component is working properly. All rights reserved. The Pilot Light. NO one addresses this. This can happen with age. The thermocouple detects the pilot light via sensors. What happens when the pilot light is lit, but the heat still won’t turn on? After following the safety precautions in the previous step, simply bend the thermocouple back to its original position. A pilot light can also … This is more common with water heaters located in attics. Here are six potential reasons why the pilot light may go out and how to fix it. The sensor at the end should lightly touch the flame when the pilot’s lit. Compressed air. The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas. My gas hot water heater is not firing up the pilot light stays lit but the ... A.O. As a built-in safety measure, when the pilot light is not lit, the electrical current is halted, causing the gas valve to close so that the gas is prevented from leaking into the house. Usually it’s so labor intensive to fix, people just replace their tanks. Again, before you do anything, make sure the gas is off, and the thermocouple is cool. So I watched a few videos and decided to try two things. Sometimes, this tubing will get kinked in places which will prevent proper operation. Below we have an awesome Youtube video made by AC Service Tech LLC that explains how the gas pilot light functions and 10 reasons why the pilot goes out or will not stay lit. Main control valves typically do not go out, and all other possibilities should be explored before considering this option. All you need is a needle to slide into the pilot hole and gently remove any debris. Something's wrong. Dirt and grime can build up and block proper flow of gas. Robertsdale, Baldwin. I folks. The drip loop is an intersection in the assembly that is designed to trap excess moisture. If there is no reset button or gas valve, simply hold a lighted match to the pilot orifice. What causes a thermocouple to fail in some instances, is the pilot light is on, yet a faulty thermocouple can no longer detect heat coming from the pilot light. If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. If you've checked everything else and the light continually goes out, this is probably the cause. However, understanding these reasons will go a long way in preventing future outages and eventually save you money. A pilot light needs the right amount of consistent oxygen to breathe and burn consistently. My water heater pilot lights but when I go to turn it to on it goes out can u please tell me the problem. 3 Reasons Your Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit December 8, 2020 . Updated: Apr 23. This is also a likely cause if the pilot won’t ignite at all. Damage may be in the form of the sensor being bent too far away from the pilot light or it may mean the entire unit is no longer functional. If you’re fairly certain this is the source of the problem, you will either need to have the thermocouple replaced or repaired. Any reading below this is a clear sign that the thermocouple itself is damaged and needs to be replaced. Website operating Below are some reasons why your burner won’t stay lit. Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. The furnace stopped working at some point during the night. Sometimes, this tubing will get kinked in places which will prevent proper operation. Excess moisture in the gas line can also be a possible cause of pilot light problems. This is a more severe scenario, as it may require replacing the part. This can be costly compared to other DiY problems, and more difficult for those inexperienced with this sort of work. Just make sure it is close enough to the flame of the pilot. My brand new burner module is just 3 months old, and it started to no longer work again. The next thing I know, many hours later (or overnight) the water is lukewarm and the pilot has to be relit. Gas hot water heater turning off gas furnace. Pilot light issues are some of the most common problems experienced with gas water heaters. What do I do? 5 Reasons Why Your Water Heater Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit, DIY Solar Water Heater: An Ultimate Guide. Malfunctioning Flame Sensor. It’s not the supply… the thing heats up with no issues. To fix this, simply locate the thermocouple and clean it with a piece of sandpaper. Typically, the flame should lightly touch the thermocouple or be close enough to heat the device. When the thermocouple is faulty, the gas valve can no longer stay open, which cuts off the fuel supply to … You may freely link If the flame isn’t strong enough, the thermocouple won’t sense it and may shut off the supply of gas to … Checking to see if this step worked is a simple matter of lighting the pilot and seeing if it lights up properly and stays lit. So I put in another brand new burner module (got a refund on the old one), and the very next morning it’s cool again. The draft can come from under a doorway, through a window or even from under the floor. However, you can fix this issue by taking the needle and slide into the pilot hole, and gently remove any debris. This is a rare case, but if the main control valve has a malfunction, the hot water tank won’t stay lit. Step 3: If the pilot flame won't stay lit after several tries, it should be adjusted by a At this point, it has to be the controller. Then a few weeks ago the pilot started periodically going out, so I got another thermocouple. so I’ve replaced my themocouple,Gas control valve, and the high limit switch . This device is designed to pick up an electrical signal from the pilot light’s heat to determine whether or not the pilot is on. Furthermore, a healthy pilot light should appear blue in color. If the thermocouple is dirty, then the electric current it receives from the pilot may be obstructed, leading to a gas outage. Whenever the thermocouple detects an unlit pilot, it turns off the gas as a safety precaution. If this is the problem, then unkinking the tube will occasionally resolve the issue. To keep the furnace pilot light lit, there needs to be a consistent supply of gas flowing to the flame through something called the pilot light orifice. Any reading below 20 MV indicates a bad thermocouple. Suggestions? Do not try You will then need to take a piece of fine grit sandpaper and gently sand the surface to remove any grime. If the main control valve is bad, then it will need to be replaced in order to fix the problem. I think your ways are pretty easy to do and I am gonna try them. Drafts A draft might be the reason your pilot light keeps going out. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. The thermocouple has been damaged. A thermocouple which shows no signs of damage and is clean should be tested with a multimeter. If the pilot light has issues, multiple reasons can lie behind it. I replaced the entire burner module but the pilot light keeps being put out almost once a day. If you are fairly certain that the thermocouple is the source of the problem, but there isn’t any signs of dirt or bending, then it is possible that the device is simply broken. All of the above mentioned causes can be diagnosed and remedied by the average homeowner. 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Got had a very likely culprit is a component of the bottom of... gas heater. One or many points just all of which are dependent on a number of factors a comment that should hopefully...