The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won't Stay Lit This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn't, then there's probably a problem with your thermopile.
Turn the gas off at the fireplace! Verify the pilot flame is out!!! You will have to clean the pilot orifice. How? You take a can of compressed air and blow out the area where the pilot flame comes out. 90% of the time this fixes the issue. (Don't be surprised if you find someting blocking the pilot.)
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.
Use an electric meter on volts DC to test if the thermocouple is bad. you can also try to re-light the pilot and see if it goes on. Thermocouples can be cleaned, but this is only a short fix. The pilot will go out again over time. Thermocouples are not expensive. The best thing to do is just change it.
Common Gas Fireplace Issues and Repair Options
Relighting is typically inexpensive unless the thermocouple requires replacement, which can range between $120 and $300.
The Pilot Lights But Won't Stay Lit
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.
If your gas fireplace pilot light keeps going out, you may have a problem with faulty pilot controls. The pilot control failing due to age or a mechanical issue can cause your pilot light to keep going out and prevent it from being relit.
Is It Dangerous if The Pilot Light Goes Out? The worry here is that when a pilot goes out, the gas valve that supplies the fuel for the pilot flame could still be pumping gas. This can mean a buildup of gas, and when the pilot is relit or relights itself, it could result in a very serious explosion.
There are many reasons why a gas stove would stop working, such as the gas or power going out, food debris clogging the igniter, or a broken spark module. Schedule a service professional to assess your gas stove.
If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won't stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device and is a component of the ignition system. Its purpose is to prevent the gas valve from opening if the pilot light isn't lit.
Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.
Your water heater requires air to keep the pilot light burning. Otherwise, the flame goes out. Ensure that the water heater is not surrounded by clutter, lint, or debris to increase the amount of combustible air. Keep the surrounding area as clean as possible.
Your gas fireplace could be turning off for several reasons. The most like culprits are likely tied to some kind of problem with your setup. Anything from issues with your pilot light, clogged ports on burners, damage to heating components, and thermocouple/thermopile malfunctions can be to blame.
Clean the thermocouple - using the emery cloth sandpaper, sand the ends of the thermocouple and then give it a finishing touch with the lint-free cloth. Hopefully, you can get to the ends of the thermocouple without having to detach it from the assembly, but you may have to do that.
Your Gas Valve Needs Attention
The gas valve on your furnace delivers the gas your pilot light needs to remain lit. If the valve is turned ON, but your pilot light won't stay lit, the problem might be a broken gas valve. The solution most likely will be to replace the valve.
Generally, leaving the pilot light on is safe, and you may decide to do this for a few reasons. For example, you want to use your outdoor fireplace on those cooler summer evenings. The pilot flame can also help prevent spiders from building webs in your fireplace, insert, or stove.
If you try to relight a pilot light and the thermocouple is bent in a way that causes it to not make contact with the pilot light, the flame will instantly go out when you release the pilot control knob since the probe won't detect the heat from the flame.
If your gas fire's pilot light doesn't remain lit, it could be an issue with the thermocouple. This safety device detects the heat from the pilot light and controls the gas valve. If it's malfunctioning, you should replace it.
Common Signs of a Failing Thermocouple
Here are some common indicators: Difficulty Lighting the Fireplace: If you struggle to light your fireplace, or if it takes several tries to keep the pilot lit, it could suggest that the thermocouple is not sensing the flame correctly and is failing to keep the gas supply open.
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.
Faulty Thermocouple – If the pilot light goes out, it's up to the thermocouple to cut the gas off.