Why does my pilot light keep going out after replacing thermocouple?
Most of the time the reason a pilot wont stay lit is that the pilot orifice and pilot burner are dirty and need to be cleaned. Clean those first before doing anything else. It’s routine maintenance that needs to be done in any case.
What do you do if your pilot light doesn’t stay on?
How to Light Your Furnace’s Pilot
- Make sure the thermostat is in heat mode.
- Locate the pilot valve.
- Always turn the valve knob to the off position and make sure to wait at least several minutes for any residual gas to clear away.
- Get your match ready.
- Once the pilot stays lit, turn the pilot valve to the on position.
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.
What would cause a pilot light to not stay lit?
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.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
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 do I know if my thermocouple is bad?
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.
Will a pilot stay lit with a bad thermocouple?
A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won’t stay lit.
How do you check if a thermocouple is working?
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.
Can I replace a thermocouple myself?
The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Then unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve.
How do you know if you have a bad thermocouple?
What happens when a thermocouple on a pilot light fails?
It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. When a thermocouple fails, the pilot light won’t stay lighted. A burned out or broken thermocouple should be replaced. To replace a thermocouple:
What should I do if my pilot light won’t stay lit?
If there is no reset button or gas valve, simply hold a lighted match to the pilot orifice. Step 3: If the pilot flame won’t stay lit after several tries, it should be adjusted by a professional. Don’t try to adjust the mechanism or tamper with the gas line. ©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Why does my furnace pilot not stay lit?
The pilot won’t stay lit on my furnace, when I release the button it just goes out. This started occurring after I did some gas plumbing and had to relight the pilot. I suspected the thermocouple and replaced it, but this didn’t fix the problem.
How big should the pilot light be on a thermo couple?
The thermo couple tip should 3/8″ ABOVE the “pencil Pilot Tip”, should read about 30mv. 2. Once opened the burner door. Manufacture requires installing a new gasket around the burner door to prevent CO and air leakag.