Causes Why Your Furnace Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit
- Bad Or Worn Out Thermocouple. We mentioned before that if your pilot light goes out, it might cause the gas to spread into the air and increase the chances for ...
- Dirty Furnace. Bad Maintenance is the leading factor behind the problems of many household appliances. ...
- GAS REGULATOR OR GAS LINE. ...
- Wind Interfering With Pilot Flame. ...
What to do if a gas furnace pilot light won't stay lit?
If you have an older model furnace with a standing pilot light, you can follow this basic procedure to relight the pilot flame. Make sure the thermostat is in heat mode. Locate the pilot valve. Turn the valve knob to the off position. Get your match ready. Once the pilot stays lit, turn the pilot valve to the on position.
Why is my furnace pilot not staying lit?
- Your Furnace is Overheating. ...
- You Have an Old Furnace. ...
- The Thermostat is Malfunctioning. ...
- Your Furnace has a Dirty Flame Sensor. ...
- The Furnace Igniter/Pilot Light is Damaged. ...
- Your Furnace has a Defective Draft Inducer Motor. ...
- The Furnace’s Thermocouple is Broken or Malfunctioned. ...
- The Furnace’s Condensate Pan is Full. ...
- The Blower Motor is not Running. ...
Why you should turn off your gas fireplace pilot light?
This could be that:
- Gas valve is off. The red valve from your gas source to the internal workings of your fireplace is off. Make sure it’s on.
- Empty Tanks. Is your propane or natural gas tank empty? Change them out or fill them up.
- Too much ventilation. If you suspect the pilot light is being blown out, close your flue or windows where too much air is coming in. ...
Why does my pilit on gas fireplace not stay lit?
Troubleshooting a Fireplace That Stops Working
- Check the main gas valve. The first thing that you should do is to check the main gas valve. ...
- Check the pilot. The pilot light systems are actually the most common reason that gas fireplaces do not light, however.
- Clear out clogs or blockages. ...
What do you do if your furnace pilot light won't stay lit?
Check the Thermocouple If your pilot light won't stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.
What's the top reason a pilot light does not remain lit?
0:0210:43TOP 10 Reasons Why the Gas Pilot Light Goes Out & Won't Stay Lit!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWater heaters ranges all kinds of appliances. This also applies to appliances that you're trying toMoreWater heaters ranges all kinds of appliances. This also applies to appliances that you're trying to light and it's just not staying lit.
How do I know if my thermocouple is working?
Test the Thermocouple If the thermocouple is working, you should be able to measure 30 to 40 millivolts of voltage at the connection end of the tube when the pilot flame is on. You can test this yourself using a multimeter, but you may need a helper to keep the pilot flame burning while you do it.
Why does my pilot light go out when I release the pilot light knob?
If you're able to light the pilot light, but it goes out when you release the control knob, the thermocouple probably needs replacing. The thermocouple is a safety device that shuts off gas flow if it senses the pilot light is out, but when damaged it loses its regulatory ability.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
Thermocouple – $20 to $150 The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a furnace?
$150 to $250Replacing a thermocouple costs $150 to $250, mostly due to labor time. On older models without an ignitor, it checks to make sure your pilot light is lit. If it's not, it'll shut the gas off.
How do I know if I need a new thermocouple?
A working thermocouple will give a reading of between 25 and 30 millimeters. If the reading is less than 25 millimeters, it should be replaced.
Does cleaning a thermocouple help?
Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.
How do you clean a clogged pilot line?
0:191:35Gas Pilot Cleaner - A 3 Minute Repair - GasPilotCleaner.com - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe easiest way to clean a pilot assembly is the only way operating pump once or twice will easilyMoreThe easiest way to clean a pilot assembly is the only way operating pump once or twice will easily clear the ash from the orifice. Inside the pilot assembly.
How do I clean my thermocouple?
You'll need a lint-free cloth, some emery cloth sandpaper, and a screwdriver. You should be done in under 20 minutes. Whatever you do, never use any cleaning products or liquid of any kind. All you need to do is scrape the thermocouple clean and then dry-wipe the residue.
How do I clean the thermocouple on my gas fireplace?
How to Clean a Thermocouple on a Gas Fireplace [3 Steps]Step 1: Leave the gas to cool first if it has been burning.Step 2: Polish the thermocouple.Step 3: Blow it out.Step 4: Light the gas.
Where is the pilot light adjustment screw?
0:271:25How To: Adjust the pilot flame - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow I will show you how to adjust the pilot flame the adjustment screw of the pilot flame is behindMoreNow I will show you how to adjust the pilot flame the adjustment screw of the pilot flame is behind this cover we can press through this cover. And find the adjustment screw.
Why does my water heater pilot light keep going out?
Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out? Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label. 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. This can happen with age.
What happens if a gas water heater doesn't have a pilot light?
If your gas water heater has a closed burner chamber or doesn’t have a pilot light, it’s much more difficult to access. To do this replacement, you most likely need a professional to fix this type of thermocouple.
What is a pilot light on a water heater?
A pilot light is a small flame present to ignite the gas burner on your water heater. A functioning pilot light should appear blue in color, which can help you determine whether or not your pilot light is working.
How to fix a thermocouple that is not touching the pilot flame?
To fix this is also simple: bend the thermocouple back into its original position. Make sure to bend the thermocouple back so it’s close enough to the pilot flame so it lightly touches the thermocouple. If this is the problem, in most cases, it’s easily resolvable with the above steps.
Why won't my pilot light stay lit?
However, if your thermocouple is damaged, dirty, or bent, it may inaccurately sense that your pilot light is off and turn off the flow of gas to your system . Without any gas supply , your pilot light won’t stay lit.
What happens if the pilot light is not strong enough?
If the flame isn’t strong enough, the thermocouple won’t sense it and may shut off the supply of gas to the flame. You may issue the pilot light orifice if you notice that your pilot light flame is a weak yellow color rather than blue.
How to keep a furnace pilot light lit?
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. If this tube is clogged or dirty, there won’t be enough gas flow to keep the flame strong. If the flame isn’t strong enough, the thermocouple won’t sense it and may shut off the supply ...
What does it mean when a pilot light goes out?
If your gas valve is set to OFF or is faulty in some way, a consistent supply of gas won’t be delivered to your pilot light, resulting in a flame that goes out.
What is a bad thermocouple?
Bad Thermocouple. A furnace thermocouple is a safety feature that regulates gas flow to your system based on whether the pilot light is on. In simple terms, the thermocouple checks to see if your pilot light flame is lit and turns off the gas flow if it senses that your pilot light is off, so you don’t have gas building up in your home.
What Causes A Pilot Light To Not Stay Lit?
Before I go into the reason you need to understand what pilot light is.
Verdict
There is nothing more disappointing that the gas fireplace does not light on a cold night. One of the main reasons for that is when the pilot light won’t light.
Why is my pilot light not staying lit?
One possibility of the flame’s inability to stay lit is that the tube is blocked with dirt. To fix it, the pilot light tube needs to be cleaned out.
Why won't my boiler pilot light stay lit?
Reasons Why the Boiler Pilot Light Won’t Stay Lit. Like many other types of heating systems, boilers require a lit pilot light to ignite the burners, which in turn power the system to produce heat. The pilot light is like the Olympic flame that stays lit throughout the tournament in celebration of the games – except that it burns 24 hours ...
Why is my boiler not working?
When the thermocouple is faulty, the gas valve can no longer stay open, which cuts off the fuel supply to the pilot light, causing it to smother out. If the thermocouple is extremely dirty at the tip, bent away from the flame or damaged, it could be the diagnosis of why the boiler isn’t working.
Why does my boiler keep kettling?
Over time, the heat exchanger in the boiler can become blocked due to mineral deposits that build up from the flow of mineral-rich water – also known as “hard water.”.
Can you assess a boiler pilot light?
Because boilers are complex systems that operate using highly-pressurized boiled or steamed water to evenly heat the dwelling, we do not recommend that you try to assess the pilot light issue on your own, as it can be a very dangerous task.
Why is my pilot light not working?
The thermocouple is often the culprit if your pilot light doesn't stay lit. If the thermocouple gets dirty, it could block the sensor. You can clean your thermocouple using an emery cloth or steel wool on the sensor tip to get rid of corrosion. If it's clean but the pilot light continues going out, the thermocouple could be damaged or bent.
What happens when the pilot light is out on a furnace?
If the pilot light is out, there's no way for it to light the main burner, which means your house will get cold quickly.
How does a standing pilot light work?
How Standing Pilot Lights Work. Newer furnaces use electronic or hot-surface ignitors, but an older furnace might have a standing pilot light, which is a flame that burns continuously. The furnace supplies a constant, small amount of gas to the pilot light to keep it burning. It serves as the ignition source for the main burner.
Where is the pilot light on a furnace?
The pilot light location can vary, but it's usually near the bottom of the furnace, often behind an access panel. Look for a gas valve and two copper tubes attached to the control valve to lead you to the pilot light. Refer to the owner's manual if you still have it or look for a label on the furnace with instructions on how to light it ...
Why is my gas furnace not turning off?
Gas Valve Problems. Your gas furnace has a gas valve that could affect the pilot light since it supplies the flame with gas. Check the gas valve to make sure it's not set to "off.". If it's on and there's still an issue, the gas valve could be faulty.
