How do you fix a pilot light that keeps going out?
Luckily, this is an easy problem to solve. All you have to do is shut off the gas, wait for everything to cool down and bend the thermocouple back into place. Voila! If the flame is directed through a dirty pilot opening, it will become unstable and appear wavy.
Why does my furnace pilot light keep going out?
Thermocouple Malfunction It is positioned very close to the flame, and when lit, the pilot light tells the thermocouple to keep the gas line open. A thermocouple that is dirty or malfunctioning will often shut off your gas supply in error, causing the pilot light to go out and your furnace to stop working.
Does gas keep flowing if pilot light goes out?
If your pilot light repeatedly goes out, this is a likely culprit. If this flame sensor should fail, gas will continue to flow even after the pilot light has been extinguished, causing a safety hazard and requiring immediate repair.
Why does my water heater pilot keep turning off?
If your gas water heater keeps shutting off, the thermocouple could be dirty, bent or damaged. The thermocouple is usually easily visible next to the pilot light. Inspect the thermocouple to determine if it is dirty or damaged in some way. If it is dirty, turn off the gas to allow the thermocouple to cool.
Why does my pilot light keep going out after replacing thermocouple?
If your water heater pilot won’t stay lit even after replacing the thermocouple, you most likely have a faulty gas control valve. It is a sign that the valve is failing to open and allow gas to flow to the pilot. You could also be dealing with a tripped or faulty thermal switch.
How do I know if my thermocouple is broken?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a furnace?
$150 to $250
Replacing 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 you clean a dirty thermocouple?
The best way to clean your thermocouple is to use either a piece of steel wool or the coarse side of a sponge to gently clean off any soot or other remnants. You can use a pencil eraser to clean between the threads of the screw that connects the thermocouple to the control valve of your system.
How much does a thermocouple cost?
It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.
Why does my gas water heater pilot keep going out?
The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple.
How do you reset a thermal switch?
Press the small reset button in the center of the thermal switch. If it’s tripped, you may be able to hear it click. Even if you do not hear the thermal switch click, try lighting the pilot using the instructions on the water heater’s label. If the Status Light now begins to flash, the thermal switch probably tripped.