If the pilot cannot be cleaned, replace it. Have spark, but Pilot will not light. Based on the “Status Light Code,” it means “Temperature Exceeded.” It made sense as we had a heat wave recently. The spark is small, and the igniter is deep inside the base of the water heater. Pilot Will Not Light: 1. A faulty thermocouple or malfunction of the gas valve could be the culprit, but the problem may be as simple as a draft coming from a crack in the wall or under the door. If the pilot is restricted, try removing it and clearing it with a stiff brush and/or compressed air. Buy a new one that matches the old one in size and length. Sometimes, carbon deposits can build up on the pilot and eventually create a restriction. If it still won’t light, replace the ignitor. Turn off the shutoff valve to the gas line. If your pilot doesn’t re-light, won’t stay lit or keeps going out after a short time, you most likely have an issue with the hot water heater thermocouple. You still have to hold the pilot light down for a minute though before you try it. If your pilot doesn’t re-light, won’t stay lit or keeps going out after a short time, you most likely have an issue with the hot water heater thermocouple. If you do, leave the house and call your gas utility. If the pilot is restricted, try removing it and clearing it with a stiff brush and/or compressed air. If the pilot does not light, the water heater will not heat. @cameraparts4you , Be extremelly careful working with your gas appliance, if unsure contact a Qualified Technician. A thermocouple is a function on your water heater that senses the heat on the pilot light and allows gas to flow to the burner. Relight the pilot light. Gas control knob set to wrong position. 3. No spark in the ignitor when i look in the little window but there is a spark from ignitor switch to connector. Unscrew or pull out the old thermocouple. Here are 5 reasons why your pilot light won’t stay lit and how you can fix it. For more information about life expectancy, read this article entitled how long do water heaters last? My 83 year old dads water heater went out. Be sure to turn the valve one-quarter turn so that the handle is at a right angle to the pipe, as in this photo. Need advice on what to do when water heater pilot light won’t light or when your pilot light keeps going out on your gas water heater? 2. If you’re local, we’re a, Call Today : (817) 200-4703 or (214) 984-3977, water heater repair or replacement in Arlington TX. If you need help with your water heater and aren’t sure what the issue is, please let us know what you need and one of our professionals will assist you. Pilot will light but no burner. by allmasters | Jul 23, 2018 | Water Heater Repair, Water Heater Repair Arlington | 0 comments. If it’s dirty, then the electric current from the pilot may be disrupted and leads to a gas outage. We recommend that you call a service pro to fix this type of heater. Pull out the water heater pilot light burner assembly. Install the new thermocouple exactly like the old one. To fix this is also simple: bend the thermocouple back into its original position. So here are the reasons: If the pilot line is clogged, clean it or replace it. then it is ready to turn the button to burner. The system kept coming back with 4 flashes. Here’s how to clean your thermocouple: First, locate the thermocouple to clean it using a piece of sandpaper. The furnace's electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a high-voltage spark to light the pilot. The coupler has voltage, & when we tried to light manually with piezo igniter, still no spark. Note: You must have the pilot lit and the burner on to test for leaks, so that gas is flowing through the large tube. I replaced the Assy Unit thermocouple with the pilot light…NOW it flashes 7 times with 3 second pause. If your attempt at water heater thermocouple cleaning doesn’t fix the problem, the issue may be that it’s bent. No incoming gas or too low gas pressure. If this is the problem, in most cases, it’s easily resolvable with the above steps. However, in some cases, other issues can prevent the pilot light from being lit. While some perform this task, you’re better off calling a licensed plumber to help. What good would an igniter be during an outage if it was electric. Have a Honeywell controller on water heater. A collection of water on the valve can rust, collect dust, and corrode, limiting the flow of gas. If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. Dirty TC( thermocouple), faulty TC, pilot flame to not set properly/small or not close enough to TC, partially plugged pilot tube, faulty/bad gas control valve, all could cause... - WV8860Q Honeywell Water heater Should You Replace Plumbing Pipes During a Remodel? If the pilot cannot be cleaned, replace it. When your thermocouple detects an unlit pilot, it automatically shuts off the gas to your water heater as a safety precaution. Sign up for our newsletter! This is an easy fix. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple. No hot water? In turn, the pilot lights the gas for the burners. One can still purchase a gas furnace or water heater with the old standing pilot ignition systems.These systems have been proven reliable and safe over time. Honeywell gas control valve, as found on Kenmore Hydrosense, has the control knob/thermostat which allows you to choose one of the three positions: ON, OFF and Pilot, and adjust the temperature of hot water. First things first, try to light it again before assuming there is a major problem. An overabundance of water can corrode or clog your pilot line. Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. It would make sense that a hot water heater igniter would use a spark. Set com bination/thermostat gas valve to correct position. This is a good place to clear up some confusion. If you’re local, we’re a plumber in Arlington TX and can routinely replace the hot water heater thermocouple for you. To reattach the three lines to the gas valve, thread the nuts into place with your fingers and hand-tighten them. Clogged Pilot Line: Burning gas can sometimes release moisture. It is a temperature setting. Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. In this last case of the pilot not staying lit, it usually means there is something defective with the thermocouple or there is an intermittent bad connection with the thermocouple and the gas valve. When it’s bent to a certain extent away from the pilot light, it’s no longer functional because it won’t be able to detect the heat. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 9 Ways to Keep Your Dog Active Inside During the Winter, How to Adjust Your Water Heater’s Temperature, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Sometimes HVAC companies get the call to repair water heaters. You’ll get your hot water going without waiting for a professional to show up and you’ll save the cost of a service call. |. Your water heater pilot light works in concert with other parts. Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out? Snug them up with a quarter to half revolution with a wrench. The Angie’s List Answers forum ran from 2010 to 2020 and provided a trusted space for homeowners to ask home improvement questions and receive answers directly from Pros and other users. The pilot ignites the water heater’s gas burner. No spark at all. The Honeywell gas valve went into “High Temperature Shutdown” mode. 1 I did get the pilot to re-light (saw the pilot light through the window), but I was not sure that I did it correctly (not sure why). If you have followed these steps and your water heater pilot light won’t stay lit, you may need professional help to fix the problem, give All Masters a call if you live in Arlington TX, and we can fix any of your hot water heater thermocouple or pilot light issues! This can happen with age. Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot - Modern gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems to light the burners in modern furnaces. A pilot light is a small flame present to ignite the gas burner on your water heater. We recommend our users to update the browser. Let the pros fix these as well. I think the thermal switch is broke and therefore keeping me from getting gas and a spark. Complete DIY projects like a pro! When this happens, the gas valve closes, extinguishes the pilot light and your water heater stops heating water. I first tried resetting the module by turning it to off and re-start the pilot light by turning the dial to “Pilot”, holding down “Pilot” and push the spark igniter. Let’s start by explaining the water heater pilot light so you can better understand how it functions. The pilot light is located under your furnace's burner access panel, and must be manually lit. The Honeywell VR8200 is a standing pilot gas valve designed for use on a gas furnace. But, there’s good news. Turn the control valve to “on”. If the pilot does not light, the water heater will not heat. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. At first, I was having issues with the pilot light not staying lit, so I went out and replaced the pilot assembly. If you have a Honeywell gas valve on your water heater, and you find you have no hot water, this may be the answer to your problem and the easy fix. The first sign of trouble with your water heater's pilot light is usually a cold shower. Once the thermocouple detects that the pilot light isn’t lit, it turns the gas off as a safety measure. To do this replacement, you most likely need a professional to fix this type of thermocouple. Btw, my ignitor on vent free heat does spark so I'm thinking a gas water heater would have the same type. The main sign that a pilot light is out is one that everyone dreads: The water won’t get hot. This doesn’t always signal the need water heater repair or replacement in Arlington TX. (817) 200-4703, © 2021 All Masters Plumbing. While some perform this task, you’re better off calling a licensed plumber to help. This can happen with age. If you don’t see a spark at all when you are trying to light your pilot it may be that you are not looking in at the right angle. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Always remember to shut off the gas before you start cleaning and to make sure that your thermocouple is cool. It will not light. ---Situation: The pilot light fails to ignite with the electronic ignition but once it is lit, the furnace is much more likely to light again and again in the near (i.e., 24 or 36 hour) future.--- Start of primmer: The likelihood of the pilot light igniting is dependent on the quantity of gas present, the fuel:air ratio, and the presence of a sufficient spark. the read Honeywell pilot button lights the pilot, only as long as you hold it in, when I let the button go, the flame goes out. For more information about life expectancy, read this article entitled how long do water heaters last? Turn on gas supply and/or check line pressure. If a ceiling light or lamp won’t turn on Check the lightbulb. If your gas water heater has a closed burner chamber or doesn’t have a pilot light, it’s much more difficult to access. When the gas burner comes on, use a 50/50 dish soap/water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks. Remove the burner access covers and unscrew the nuts on the gas, pilot and thermocouple lines. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner, which is when people notice that the water heater pilot light is out. The Pilot Light on My Water Heater is Lit but the Burner Does Not Light. After the work was complete, I turned on the gas at the main and initiated the process to re-light the gas water heater pilot. There is no power to check since the pilot barely comes on and won't even light with the igniter. Reattach the three lines to the control valve. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won’t stay lit. Now that I've done this, the pilot light will stay lit, but I don't get any hot water… Once the burn cycle is complete, both the burners and the pilot turn off. If you still can't see a spark, turn the gas control knob OFF, turn the gas supply valve OFF, and click on "More Help" below. The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner. Lighting the pilot light on Honeywell gas control valve. A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. This fix isn’t difficult and, in most cases, a thermocouple can be replaced at a nominal cost and quickly — in less than an hour by a handy homeowner. You should not be able to smell gas during this operation (except for a slight whiff when you remove the gas lines). A functioning pilot light should appear blue in color, which can help you determine whether or not your pilot light is working. Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out? my water heater pilot stopped working and now the pilot won’t light. You have to put your ear down to the floor to see the pilot. When the pilot light goes out, here’s how to light a gas water heater pilot light: Your first step is obvious: to try to re-light the water heater pilot light. This video provides step-by-step instructions for replacing the igniter and flame sensor on AO Smith gas water heaters. There are two basic styles of gas hot water heaters, “new” and “old.” Old style heaters will require you to use your own flame to relight the pilot, while new style tanks come equipped with a pilot light igniter. Reopen the shutoff valve. 5 Questions to Ask A Plumbing Contractor Before Signing the Contract. This equipment is the core reason why your water heater functions, it also knows if the pilot light is on or off through an electric current that draws power from the pilot’s heat. if an outlet sparks when you plug in an appliance Make sure the appliance is off before plugging it … Retrieve Document I have a Bradford White water heater model# MI40T6FBN with an electronic Honeywell gas control knob. Tried to reset by shocking circuit, still nothing. Read on to learn how to light a pilot light. When it goes out, the first thing you should try to do is relight the water heater’s pilot, following the directions on the water heater label. I was doing some work on my residential gas lines which required turning off the gas at the main. Determine what style of water heater you have. If your furnace is not working, the first thing you should check is your pilot light. To fix this issue, you will need to replace the device or have it professionally repaired. If you determine that your thermocouple is indeed broken – that means there aren’t any signs of being bent or dirty – then it’s most likely that your device is broken. The below video will demonstrate how to light your water heater pilot light. The pilot ignites the water heater’s gas burner. The good news: You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour. Make sure to bend the thermocouple back so it’s close enough to the pilot flame so it lightly touches the thermocouple. Ask about troubleshooting why your pilot light won’t work right over the phone via our new video chat app in the Arlington and greater DFW area. 2. Review lighting instruction. Some gas water heaters have a “closed” burner chamber, which is difficult to access. However, your thermocouple may not necessarily be broken. One of the reasons why there is no hot water is when the burner did not ignite, and this is happening when the pilot light does not light. Pilot light button not being fully depressed when attempting to light pilot. All Rights Reserved. You may have to dim the room lights to see the spark. Tank-type gas water heaters use a pilot light to ignite the gas burner when the water in the tank needs to be heated. When the gas burner comes on, use a 50/50 dish soap/water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks. This valve has a indicator light that blinks after the about 30 seconds of the pilot being lit. I Bought a House with Bad Plumbing, What Can I Do? The air intake is located on the bottom or side of the water heater and may need to be cleaned out in order for the pilot to stay lit. 1. Let’s discuss how to tell if a thermocouple is bad, below. Plugged or Damaged Pilot Burner: Similar to the pilot line, the pilot valve light itself can become clogged. It’s important to know how to light your water heater’s pilot light so you can get the flame going again as soon as possible, not only to get your hot showers back but also to make sure no gas gets accidentally released into the house in the event of a broken flame sensor. If the bulb is good, check the the reset button located under the water heater access cover. Test for Gas Leaks. 3. Although a blocked gas line is one reason why the pilot light on a Rheem water heater won't light or stay lit, there are other reasons as well--some easier to correct than others. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Also, some gas water heaters don't have pilots. Oh No! If the pilot light goes out when you release the pilot button (and you are certain you have accurate gas pressure), replace the thermocouple. Sometimes, carbon deposits can build up on the pilot and eventually create a restriction. 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