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. 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 The below video will demonstrate how to light your water heater pilot light. Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. If you have a natural or propane gas water heater, chances are the pilot has gone out. First things first, try to light it again before assuming there is a major problem. I was doing some work on my residential gas lines which required turning off the gas at the main. A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. A pilot light is a small flame present to ignite the gas burner on your water heater. But, there’s good news. 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. 2. Review lighting instruction. Relight the pilot light. 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. Sometimes, carbon deposits can build up on the pilot and eventually create a restriction. The pilot light is located under your furnace's burner access panel, and must be manually lit. 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. To reattach the three lines to the gas valve, thread the nuts into place with your fingers and hand-tighten them. If the pilot light goes out when you release the pilot button (and you are certain you have accurate gas pressure), replace the thermocouple. 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. Reopen the shutoff valve. Your heater's pilot light allows the burner to cycle on and off while maintaining the water in the tank at a constant temperature. It is a temperature setting. The system kept coming back with 4 flashes. You still have to hold the pilot light down for a minute though before you try it. It will not light. Let’s start by explaining the water heater pilot light so you can better understand how it functions. This is a good place to clear up some confusion. 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). The Pilot Light on My Water Heater is Lit but the Burner Does Not Light. 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. Also, some gas water heaters don't have pilots. Sometimes HVAC companies get the call to repair water heaters. Should You Replace Plumbing Pipes During a Remodel? If your attempt at water heater thermocouple cleaning doesn’t fix the problem, the issue may be that it’s bent. 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. 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. 3. My 83 year old dads water heater went out. Always remember to shut off the gas before you start cleaning and to make sure that your thermocouple is cool. Tried to reset by shocking circuit, still nothing. If the pilot cannot be cleaned, replace it. 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. Remove the burner access covers and unscrew the nuts on the gas, pilot and thermocouple lines. 1. Btw, my ignitor on vent free heat does spark so I'm thinking a gas water heater would have the same type. 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. Some gas water heaters have a “closed” burner chamber, which is difficult to access. Once the burn cycle is complete, both the burners and the pilot turn off. 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. If your furnace is not working, the first thing you should check is your pilot light. Sign up for our newsletter! No spark at all. Your water heater pilot light works in concert with other parts. then it is ready to turn the button to burner. Let’s discuss how to tell if a thermocouple is bad, below. The pilot ignites the water heater’s gas burner. Reattach the three lines to the control valve. 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. 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. 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. 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. A functioning pilot light should appear blue in color, which can help you determine whether or not your pilot light is working. What good would an igniter be during an outage if it was electric. Have a Honeywell controller on water heater. Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. I Bought a House with Bad Plumbing, What Can I Do? 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. by allmasters | Jul 23, 2018 | Water Heater Repair, Water Heater Repair Arlington | 0 comments. 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 have to put your ear down to the floor to see the pilot. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the 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. Once the thermocouple detects that the pilot light isn’t lit, it turns the gas off as a safety measure. The spark is small, and the igniter is deep inside the base of the water heater. To fix this issue, you will need to replace the device or have it professionally repaired. Read on to learn how to light a pilot light. 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. In turn, the pilot lights the gas for the burners. 5 Questions to Ask A Plumbing Contractor Before Signing the Contract. Sometimes, carbon deposits can build up on the pilot and eventually create a restriction. To fix this is also simple: bend the thermocouple back into its original position. Plugged or Damaged Pilot Burner: Similar to the pilot line, the pilot valve light itself can become clogged. 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! No hot water? We recommend our users to update the browser. Snug them up with a quarter to half revolution with a wrench. If a ceiling light or lamp won’t turn on Check the lightbulb. No incoming gas or too low gas pressure. Electronic Ignition vs Standing Pilot - Modern gas furnaces use electronic ignition systems to light the burners in modern furnaces. If it’s dirty, then the electric current from the pilot may be disrupted and leads to a gas outage. Determine what style of water heater you have. ---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 water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. Complete DIY projects like a pro! (817) 200-4703, © 2021 All Masters Plumbing. @cameraparts4you , Be extremelly careful working with your gas appliance, if unsure contact a Qualified Technician. Pilot Will Not Light: 1. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! We recommend that you call a service pro to fix this type of heater. If the bulb is good, check the the reset button located under the water heater access cover. This is an easy fix. If you do, leave the house and call your gas utility. To do this replacement, you most likely need a professional to fix this type of thermocouple. If the pilot does not light, the water heater will not heat. The good news: You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour. Turn off the shutoff valve to the gas line. I replaced the Assy Unit thermocouple with the pilot light…NOW it flashes 7 times with 3 second pause. This can happen with age. Note: You must have the pilot lit and the burner on to test for leaks, so that gas is flowing through the large tube. 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. 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. Test for Gas Leaks. When your thermocouple detects an unlit pilot, it automatically shuts off the gas to your water heater as a safety precaution. An overabundance of water can corrode or clog your pilot line. However, in some cases, other issues can prevent the pilot light from being lit. The furnace's electronic control board activates an electric igniter that uses a high-voltage spark to light the pilot. 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 coupler has voltage, & when we tried to light manually with piezo igniter, still no spark. The Honeywell VR8200 is a standing pilot gas valve designed for use on a gas furnace. If this is the problem, in most cases, it’s easily resolvable with the above steps. Turn on gas supply and/or check line pressure. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won’t stay lit. Here are 5 reasons why your pilot light won’t stay lit and how you can fix it. 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 pilot is restricted, try removing it and clearing it with a stiff brush and/or compressed air. Gas control knob set to wrong position. Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out? 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. This valve has a indicator light that blinks after the about 30 seconds of the pilot being lit. Unscrew or pull out the old thermocouple. 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