What I needed to do - 1. start at the off position, 2. turn to the pilot marker (do not press the button in while you do this!), 3. only once it's on the pilot marker do you press down. You will feel the button depress all the way in, there will be no mistaking it. 4. NOW light the pilot!
The Short Answer Is: It is generally safe for a homeowner to relight a furnace pilot light, as long as they follow proper precautions and guidelines. To do it yourself, first, turn off the furnace's gas supply and wait for a few minutes to allow any lingering gas to dissipate.
There's really just one telltale sign of letting you know when the thermocouple isn't working, and that's when the pilot light won't stay lit. If you experience this problem, it's important to have your thermocouple assessed as soon as possible.
In many cases, the reason that you can't get your pilot light to ignite is that the pilot tube is clogged. This is a small metal tube that supplies the gas needed to ignite the pilot and keep it lit. The pilot tube often becomes clogged with debris, and this will prevent gas from flowing to the pilot light.
The thermocouple is a safety device designed to shut off the gas valve if the pilot light goes out. Although, if your thermocouple is old, worn, damaged, wrongly positioned, or malfunctioning, it could have wrongly shut off the gas valve and prevented your pilot light from staying lit.
Failed Thermocouple Symptoms
You're looking for a few things. The first is signs of contamination on the tube, which can include discoloration, cracks, or pinholes. Next, check the wiring for any signs of wear or corrosion like missing insulation or bare wire.
Clean the Thermocouple: Use a brush or compressed air to remove any debris or dust on the thermocouple. A soft-bristled brush works well for this. Handle with Care: Be gentle during cleaning to avoid damage.
Pilot lights will occasionally go out. Sometimes the cause is easily resolved, such as running out of propane or turning off the gas. However, if the pilot light needs to be relit more than once per season, it should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Call Your Local Mr. Rooter Plumber! If you are having trouble getting your water heater pilot light on, or you can't get it to stay lit for long, rely on a plumbing professional for water heater repair, maintenance, and replacement services.
If you don't see a spark when you press the igniter button or you can't get the pilot to light, you can try to manually light it with a match or stick lighter. Once you see the pilot flame, you will need to continue to hold the control knob in for around 30 seconds.
Improper Venting or Air Supply
The air around a pilot light impacts how it functions. Air moving around the flame can disrupt it or blow it out entirely.
Common reasons include a nearby draft, dirt buildup, or a malfunctioning thermocouple. Another pilot light drawback is energy waste. Since the pilot light needs to remain active, your furnace is always consuming some gas.
Unless your furnace was installed before 2010, it most likely instead uses either an intermittent pilot light or some form of electronic ignition. The primary reason that furnace manufacturers have moved away from standing pilot lights is to improve energy efficiency.
If the pilot flame ignites but goes out after you release the gas control knob, the cause may be a dirty or defective thermocouple. If the gas is on but the flame will not ignite at all, a pilot tube obstruction is the most likely issue.
If your thermocouple goes bad, there is only one thing to do: Replace it. If you hire a professional plumber to do this, it may cost up to $200 for the labor.
It's easy to replace, and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater's burning chamber, it's easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.
The flame will go out if you release the knob before it is hot. The thermocouple can become dirty and caked with grit, preventing it from heating up and detecting that the pilot is lit. As a result, the pilot will always go out after you release the reset button.
The pilot flame should touch the thermocouple at a specific level. If the flame is blue and weak, and barely reaches the thermocouple, it needs to be stronger. If it extends well above the thermocouple, it's too strong.
Once you have replaced the thermocouple, turn on the furnace and check to see if the pilot light stays lit. If your pilot light doesn't stay lit, it may be due to something blocking the thermocouple. You can try cleaning or replacing it, but if that doesn't work, you may need to call a professional.
Nothing lasts forever, and when the thermocouple wears out, the pilot won't stay lit and your appliance won't work. The pilot can go out for a number of other reasons, however, so if you're having trouble getting the pilot to stay lit, the thermocouple may not be at fault.
For those who prefer not to attempt a DIY repair, hiring an HVAC technician is a safer option. The cost for a professional furnace thermocouple replacement usually ranges from $80 to $150, depending on your location and the specific HVAC company. This price includes both the part and labor.
Pilot Lights and Flame Sensors Could Be the Issue
A modern furnace without a pilot light relies on flame detectors to ensure the successful completion of a heating cycle. If the flame detector is covered in dust, dirt, or grime, you will quickly lose heat and your gas furnace will start blowing cold air.