If you don't have an igniter button, put your match or lighter into the pilot hole to manually light it. Once the pilot is lit, continue to hold the gas knob down for 30 seconds or so.
Assuming all works well, do it just like you would with a grill that the igniter is busted. A long fireplace match, or one of those long neck refillable butane lighters. Light the match/lighter and put it in front of the gas outlet. Slowly turn the gas on, and remove the match/lighter.
While holding the gas control knob, repeatedly press the ignite button until the flame stays lit. While holding in the gas control knob, press the ignitor button (this is typically a square button and should be clearly labeled). Click the ignitor button about one time every second. You should hear it click.
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.
Dirt, dust, and debris can block the flow of gas from the pilot tube. This means that the pilot light isn't receiving enough fuel to fully ignite. Thankfully, fixing this issue is easy — all you need is a long needle and a bit of patience. Gently poke the needle into the pilot hole and remove any debris.
Water Heater Igniter
To determine if the igniter is defective, first make sure the igniter is getting voltage. If the igniter is getting voltage, but it doesn't glow, this indicates that the igniter is defective and should be replaced.
Turn the gas regulator valve to the “pilot” position. If the water heater has a manual “ignite” button, press that to light the pilot. If it doesn't have the button, or the button fails, press the regulator valve and hold a grill lighter or long match to the pilot light valve until the pilot ignites.
The pilot light on most water heaters can be found at the base of the unit just under the gas control valve. Open the access door or panel to the burner chamber and take a look inside. You should be able to see the pilot light tube. If there's a steady blue flame, your pilot light is operational.
Several factors can stop a furnace from igniting: Thermostat Malfunctions: Incorrect thermostat settings or a faulty thermostat. Fuel Supply Problems: Insufficient propane supply, closed valves, or leaks. Ignition System Failure: Issues with the pilot light, electronic igniter, or other ignition components.
Replacing an Igniter: If your water heater uses an igniter, the piece can cost between $75 and $350 to replace. A faulty or worn-out part won't ignite the gas and will prevent water from heating.
Put the gas valve in the 'pilot' position and hold it there. If your appliance has an 'ignition' button, push it now. If there is no ignition button, use a match or lighter to relight the pilot. For at least a minute after relighting the flame, continue to hold the gas valve in the 'pilot' position.
Relight the Pilot
Hold down the reset button and relight the pilot at the same time. To safely do this, you'll need to use a long-stemmed lighter and hold the end of it very close to the pilot. Once the flame catches, release the reset button.
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.
In many systems, a broken pilot light will prevent the appliance from working at all. This is a safety precaution to prevent a buildup of excess gas in the unit, which can be dangerous for you and your family, potentially leading to a gas leak.
An electrical pilot is actually far simpler, as all you'll need to do is either depress the knob or flip a switch, depending on the furnace model. Within the next half-minute, the pilot should resume normal operation. If it doesn't, then you'll want to call a furnace specialist to handle the issue.
Failed Thermocouple Symptoms
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.
The pilot tube often becomes clogged with debris, and this will prevent gas from flowing to the pilot light. If there is no gas, the pilot obviously won't ignite. If you suspect that the pilot tube is clogged, you can use a needle or thin piece of wire to try to clean it out and remove any debris.
In most cases, yes, it's safe to light a gas water heater manually, but you should shut the gas off first, open a window, and let the space air out for about 10 minutes.
You'll want to press and hold the knob down. While still holding the gas knob, light the pilot with a long lighter. If your gas water heater has an igniting button, press that instead. Once ignited, release and turn the gas knob to the “On” position and listen for the main burner to turn on.