submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". A pilot light that won’t stay lit is more than frustrating. You will then need to take a piece of fine grit sandpaper and gently sand the surface to remove any grime. I had put it on very tightly. In this case, you may need to replace your pilot light. Copyright© This is usually because the burner orifices are clogged or you have a bad thermocouple. After a good cleaning, turn everything on and see if the pilot will light. You rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the winter months. Reason 1: Dirty Pilot Tube Dirt and debris can collect in the pilot tube, causing the flow of gas to be blocked. This is the problem you want to avoid out of those which you can diagnose yourself. Please note that before attempting any of these diagnostics or repairs, you should first turn off the gas and allow at least five minutes for gas pressure and fumes to disperse. Maybe the pilot stays on for a moment and the furnace attempts to fire, but almost immediately shuts down. We hope this article can at least be of little help to you. It’s not the supply… the thing heats up with no issues. Replaced the hot water tank and it worked for a day and went out again. Smith Water heater GCV 50 100 Issues. Digital multimeter; Fine-grit sandpaper; Stainless Steel Brush; What is the Difference … 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. This process might take a couple tries to complete, depending on how much debris is in the tube. 5 Reasons Why Your Water Heater Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit, DIY Solar Water Heater: An Ultimate Guide. The flex tube is how the gas reaches the device, and if the continuous flow of gas is interrupted, the pilot light won’t stay lit. 3 Reasons Your Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit December 8, 2020 . Yesterday everything was fine. My pilot light stays lit but the gas flame goes out after a minute. Try cleaning the vent underneath the water heater. Hey all I just had a good win with my water heater I thought I’d share. I hope I don’t have to buy a new water heater. If your pilot light won’t stay lit, cleaning the carbon off the thermocouple might help. The air inlet gets clogged with debris. This tubing connects to the gas controller and will ensure a steady stream of gas. If this is the problem, then unkinking the tube will occasionally resolve the issue. This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. It won't stay on. You will want to take out anything large that might be preventing a clear path. So I had a hot water tank that would not stay lit for more than a month. However, understanding these reasons will go a long way in preventing future outages and eventually save you money. If you've checked everything else and the light continually goes out, this is probably the cause. Either you aren?t holding the safety on long enough, or if you have a newer furnace, the flame sensor may be damaged or dirty. This can happen with age. Attempts to re-light the pilot light are futile. 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. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be 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. You may freely link View our Privacy Policy here. They get dirty with dust and wont allow the air to supply the gas flame. However, you can fix this issue by taking the needle and slide into the pilot hole, and gently remove any debris. If there is no gas or gas pressure is too high or low, check with your utility company to see if there is any work on the system. In some cases, it could also be an indicator of potential gas buildup. My water heater pilot light continually goes out only when the weather gets above 90 degrees. Do not try It then shuts off the gas supply as a safety precaution. Thankfully, a dirty pilot tube is the easiest issue to fix. A healthy flame will be blue in color. 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. 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. Pilot lights can be found on furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, ranges, ovens and other appliances. The easiest way to diagnose a bad control valve is to try all other solutions first. This also another possible reason why your pilot’s light won’t come on. 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. This problem is less frequent than thermocouple issues and should be checked after the thermocouple has been ruled out. Dirt and debris can collect in the pilot tube, causing the flow of gas to be blocked. All of the above mentioned causes can be diagnosed and remedied by the average homeowner. 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 the main control valve is bad, then it will need to be replaced in order to fix the problem. Maybe there’s a problem with your gas supply, that’s why our wall heater didn’t stay lit. 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. I think your ways are pretty easy to do and I am gonna try them. Updated: Apr 23. After turning the gas off and waiting a few minutes for the pilot to cool, simple take a needle and clean out the tube. This should ensure the component is working properly. Below are some reasons why your burner won’t stay lit. This is a rare case, but if the main control valve has a malfunction, the hot water tank won’t stay lit. Examine the thermocouple. It stays lit in the winter. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent How to Install a Gas Shut Off Valve in a... How to Install a Gas Shut Off Valve in a Gas Furnace. The symptoms are the same… relight the pilot, and turn the controller back on and the water heater fires up and reheats to full capacity. 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. Website operating If the pilot light has issues, multiple reasons can lie behind it. Do This When The Gas Fireplace Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit Standard gas log sets are fairly simple. I bet it’s an airflow issue. In such extreme cases, the only solution is to call in an expert to examine the water heater fully. Home » Troubleshooting » 5 Reasons Why Your Water Heater Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit. Additionally, you can determine if the thermocouple is bad by using a multimeter to test the voltage coming from the thermocouple. If the gas fireplace shuts off after a few minutes, it's pretty much always going to be a pilot head issue, or a valve issue. The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit. Drafts A draft might be the reason your pilot light keeps going out. 1. Something's wrong. Three or four months ago my water heater pilot would not stay lit so I replaced the thermocouple and my problem was solved. It’s possible that excess moisture may have gotten into your gas line, causing the pilot light to malfunction. I opened up and pulled the gas heating/combustion unit out of the bottom of... Gas water heater pilot light will not stay lit. The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas. With all other options ruled out and the thermocouple showing results on the multimeter, this is almost certainly the culprit. Drip Loop. The flame sensor is responsible for regulating the gas flow to the burner. 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. This device is central to the operation and can tell if the pilot light is on or off by an electrical current that is powered by the pilot’s heat. Malfunctioning Flame Sensor. I am not sure which fixed it but my pilot stays on now! problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. any ideas? Can you help answer my problem? Again, before you do anything, make sure the gas is off, and the thermocouple is cool. Any reading below this is a clear sign that the thermocouple itself is damaged and needs to be replaced. This is also a likely cause if the pilot won’t ignite at all. Several possible reasons exist as to why a pilot light won't stay lit. All rights reserved. A pilot light can also … The drip loop is an intersection in the assembly that is designed to trap excess moisture. 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. Suggestions? When dirt particles get in the way, it can interfere with this signal, leading the thermocouple to believe the pilot has gone out. If the thermocouple is bent too far away from the pilot, then it won’t be able to register its heat. Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out? Step 3: If the pilot flame won't stay lit after several tries, it should be adjusted by a A Broken or Damaged Thermocouple – In this instance there is something wrong with the equipment and a technician would be required to replace or repair the thermocouple in order for your pilot light to stay lit again. What happens when the pilot light is lit, but the heat still won’t turn on? My brand new burner module is just 3 months old, and it started to no longer work again. Willing to try anything at this point. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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). We welcome your comments and 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. 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. Thermocouple problems can be fairly common, and this component is often the culprit when the water heater pilot keeps going out. 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? suggestions. Compressed air. If this tube is clogged or dirty, there won’t be enough gas flow to keep the flame strong. Dirt and grime can build up and block proper flow of gas. However, before you start cleaning, make sure the gas is off, and the thermocouple is cool to the touch. After years of use, your thermocouple may have a buildup of carbon deposit, which affects its ability to function. If your furnace’s pilot light won’t stay on, the furnace won’t work. A fierce, freezing draft sends shivers down your spine. When my pilot light wouldn't stay lit on my furnace, I asked a few plumber buddies about the symptoms and they both said it was the thermo couple. This is a more severe scenario, as it may require replacing the part. The furnace stopped working at some point during the night. When troubleshooting the pilot light problems such as when it does not stay lit, keep in mind that there are often different causes for this and other conditions. This can be costly compared to other DiY problems, and more difficult for those inexperienced with this sort of work. While not as common as thermocouple issues, it’s an easy fix and should thus be rules out early on. However, if you find that your gas fireplace or similar appliance has a pilot light that won’t stay on even after consistently being fixed or relit, one of these issues could be the reason. Sorry dont have the model yet. Here are the top five reasons your pilot won’t stay on, as well as methods to fix each issue. If you’re fairly certain this is the source of the problem, you will either need to have the thermocouple replaced or repaired. This is often a ventilation issue. The Pilot Light. On occasion, the tube can become kinked, interrupting the flow of gas. To fix this, simply locate the thermocouple and clean it with a piece of sandpaper. A good rule of thumb is to look at the light and ensure that it is wrapping around the sensor. Without it, the water heater won’t be able to maintain internal temperatures, allowing the water to cool off. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. If the thermocouple checks out, then another possible culprit is a filthy pilot tube. Furthermore, a healthy pilot light should appear blue in color. The draft can come from under a doorway, through a window or even from under the floor. Clean cloth. Appreciate any help from professional out there. Then I unscrewed the new thermocouple at the control valve and put it back finger tight plus a quarter turn. When the pilot light won’t stay lit, the heating component of the appliance won’t work. Pilot light issues are some of the most common problems experienced with gas water heaters. If it gets too hot, the pressure can increase and actually put out the flame. This problem only occurs in the summer. Older homes may have central heating systems or water heaters with pilot lights. Gas hot water heater turning off gas furnace. Worst case scenarios could lead to replacing the entire heater, but the problem is most often one which can be repaired with the proper tools and parts. Most water heaters operate with a thermocouple. There is a chance that your thermocouple has simply gone bad and is the reason your pilot light won’t stay lit. But when I would go back to look at it later, the pilot would be out. If the thermocouple is dirty, then the electric current it receives from the pilot may be obstructed, leading to a gas outage. If this is the problem, then unkinking the tube will occasionally resolve the issue. Tools Needed. How the Gas Pilot Light Functions and 10 Reasons Why the Pilot Light Goes Out or Won’t Stay Lit! What is the next step to fix this problem. 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. This is more common with water heaters located in attics. Robertsdale, Baldwin. Nothing has fixed the problem. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn’t, then there’s probably a problem with your thermopile. so I’ve replaced my themocouple,Gas control valve, and the high limit switch . Then, when the pilot is burning brightly, release the reset button. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Some common causes include issues with the thermocouple and pilot tube. Whenever the thermocouple detects an unlit pilot, it turns off the gas as a safety precaution. Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. But it got worse with the new one; it would go out after every tank heated. I have a Rheem Pro50-40F hot water heater. home improvement and repair website. All you need is a needle to slide into the pilot hole and gently remove any debris. If this doesn’t work, than new tubing will need to be installed. I had to relight the pilot. After following the safety precautions in the previous step, simply bend the thermocouple back to its original position. Pliers. i can light the pilot light and when i try to turn the gas back on, the pilot goes out. The sensor at the end should lightly touch the flame when the pilot’s lit. Please click here to see the written page about 10 Reasons Why the Pilot Light Goes Out or Will Not Stay Lit. The thermocouple has been damaged. We’re in the same boat. NO one addresses this. As a result, the pilot doesn’t get enough fuel to stay lit. So you’ve checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. Due to this, the pilot does not get enough fuel to stay lit. Another possible reason why a pilot won’t stay lit has to do with the flex tubing. Why did it just all of a sudden go out. Another possible reason why a pilot won’t stay lit has to do with the flex tubing. It’s designed to determine whether the pilot light is lit and then subsequently signals the gas valve to open. Can anyone help I have a A.O. There is gas flow to the other appliances in the house. Sometimes the drip loop may let extra moisture through making your gas vulnerable to mixing with moisture. This is … Replaced the Thermocouple and it worked for a couple months and then started going out again. For more information about life expectancy, read this article entitled how long do water heaters last? Pilot stays lit, thermostat doesn't click / burner off. 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. If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. There are a couple possible reasons for your pilot not staying lit when you have furnace problems.. The reading should be above 20MV. Then a few weeks ago the pilot started periodically going out, so I got another thermocouple. 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