A water heater is a vital appliance in any home, providing hot water for daily tasks such as bathing, washing dishes, and laundry.
However, suppose you’ve encountered the frustrating issue of your water heater’s pilot light repeatedly going out and refusing to stay lit. In that case, it can disrupt your daily routine and leave you without hot water.
The pilot light serves as the ignition source for the burner, and when it doesn’t stay lit, it indicates a problem within the system.
Understanding the potential causes and troubleshooting steps for a water heater pilot that won’t stay lit can help restore hot water to your home efficiently.
In this guide, we will explore common reasons why the pilot light might keep going out and provide you with practical solutions to rectify the issue, ensuring a reliable and consistent supply of hot water for your household.
Water Heater Pilot Light Issues
I’d like to explain how the water heater pilot light works so you can understand it better. The pilot light is responsible for lighting the gas burner in your water heater.
If your pilot light is functioning properly, it will appear blue in color, enabling you to tell if it is working. In case the flame is flickering or wavering, then the pilot isn’t burning at the appropriate temperature.
Troubleshooting A Water Heater Pilot That Won’t Stay Lit
It’s imperative to troubleshoot and fix the problem as quickly as possible if your gas water heater’s pilot light doesn’t stay lit. Let us help you troubleshoot and fix the problem so you can have hot water again in your household.
Spark Ignitor
If your spark ignitor is defective, your pilot light won’t work. A spark ignitor rather than a matchlight is used to light the pilot light on modern gas water heaters with sealed chambers.
In most cases, the spark ignitor comes near the gas control valve. Pressing the spark ignitor button will result in a spark igniting the pilot.
You’ll need to troubleshoot this problem since there are a few things that could be causing this issue.
1. It is crucial that the spark button assembly and the wire are connected in a complete circuit for the spark ignitor to work properly.
If there is a spider web or dust build-up around the spark, it may prevent it from working. You should shoot compressed air into the area to clear any debris.
2. Wires running from the spark ignitor button to the spark ignitor in the burner assembly could also be the culprit.
If your spark igniter button is functioning properly, the problem could be that the grounding is incorrect. Consequently, the spark may not be generated near the frame, for example, where it should be.
3. Spark ignitor problems are sometimes caused by spark ignitor problems. In most cases, a spark will not be generated by a worn or non-functioning spark ignitor.
You need to replace the spark ignitor and ensure the spark is jumping to the spark rod when you replace the spark ignitor.
4. A corrosion build-up may also be present on the spark rod or the pilot light termination. The spark will be unable to cross if this is the problem.
The pilot light termination and the spark rod should be gently cleaned with non-soaking steel wool.
Low Gas Pressure at Pilot Head
A thermocouple will not be able to be sufficiently heated if the pilot head receives too little gas pressure.
Designed as a thermocouple, the tip of the thermocouple should be next to the pilot flame to detect whether the pilot light is burning.
An electrical current is generated when the thermocouple senses the flame and triggers a small electrical current to keep the gas valve open.
Pilot lighting causes the thermocouple to cool down and stop emitting voltage, closing the gas valve when the pilot light goes out.
Gases that have not been burned cannot be released into the home through this crucial safety measure.
Gas Supply
A partially or fully closed gas valve can prevent your water heater from keeping the pilot light lit or not lighting it at all. Several issues may cause this problem:
Ensure you follow the gas line that supplies the gas to your water heater. To comply with the law, gas-fueled water heaters must come with a valve that lets you shut off the gas supply.
Many ball valves are in use, and the handle may be brightly colored, such as red, but don’t rely on the color.
It is crucial to make sure the ball valve handle is lined up with the pipe when the valve is open. The valve must be opened if it is not. Ensure that the valve isn’t closed in response to a water heater malfunction.
Does the Water Heater Pilot Light Keep Going Out?
You should follow the directions on the label of your water heater.
In most cases, when the pilot isn’t re-lighting, won’t stay lit for any length of time, or continuously goes out, the thermocouple in your hot water heater is to blame. With age, this can happen.
Windy Location
When your water heater is installed, it may be that everything is working in order.
Still, the pilot keeps blowing out or jumping, preventing a proper connection with the thermocouple if it is installed in an area with a lot of strong air currents or if the exhaust pipe is positioned incorrectly.
Experiencing a pilot light flame that jumps around is a sign that air currents are causing the flame to jump about. To find out the best solution, contact a professional plumber.
My Pilot Light Won’t Light on Water Heater, What Now?
Do you have questions about what to do when your gas water heater pilot light won’t light or keeps going out? Water heater repair or replacement is not always required when this happens.
In case the pilot light goes out, you’ll need to know how to light a gas water heater pilot light. You must first try to re-light the water heater pilot light. Ensure that it is lit again before assuming that there is a significant problem.
Loose Wire Connection Or Bad Thermo Limit
Wires can sometimes become loose due to loose connections. There is also the possibility of the thermo limit having been triggered.
A tight fit should be ensured at the gas control valve for the wire connection. Depending on the situation, it could be that the term-limit switch needs to be reset.
This device has two thermo limit switches, one of which can be reset and the other can not.
The gas supply will be shut down if the resettable limit gets too hot. We recommend seeking professional assistance to troubleshoot the issue, even though it can be reset.
How to Determine If You Have Gas Hot Water Heater Thermocouple Issues
It is a thermocouple that senses heat from the pilot light and allows gas to flow to the burner on your water heater.
Usually, people notice that the pilot light on their water heater has gone out when they discover a broken thermocouple.
In addition to the pilot light, other parts of your water heater interact with each other. An unlit pilot triggers an automatic gas shut-off to your water heater from your thermocouple.
It means that there are no signs that your thermocouple has been bent or contaminated if you determine that it is indeed broken.
If this is the case, then your device is most likely broken. Unless the device is replaced or professionally repaired, you must replace it. It might be helpful to clear up a few misunderstandings here.
Dirty Thermocouple Rod
The flame could be in the right position, and everything may be in order, but the pilot light won’t stay lit. If carbon dust builds up on the thermocouple rod, this can happen.
As the thermocouple rod usually is not in contact with carbon dust, it will not develop an insulating layer that prevents it from sensing the pilot flame.
For this reason, remove the thermocouple from its mounting bracket and rub it with non-soaped steel wool.
How To Replace Thermocouple On Water Heater?
Sometimes HVAC companies receive calls for water heater repairs. Most people who perform this task should hire a licensed plumber rather than attempt it themselves.
Despite this, there is good news. It’s easy to fix, and a handy homeowner can often replace a thermocouple for a nominal fee in less than an hour.
Thermocouple Rod Position
The thermocouple rod must be positioned correctly to ensure the thermocouple receives enough heat from the pilot light.
For thermocouple rods to remain properly positioned, proper installation is essential.
When installing parts, sometimes not all are used. As a result, the thermocouple rod might not stay in place, preventing the thermocouple from sensing the flame.
In the event the thermocouple is not appropriately installed, a new thermocouple may need to be purchased and installed.
Determining the Thermocouple Issue If It’s Not Broken
A broken thermocouple may not necessarily be the cause of your problem. The pilot’s electric current may be disrupted whenever it’s dirty, resulting in an outage. It’s an easy fix. Thermocouples are easy to clean if you follow these steps:
To clean the thermocouple, locate it first and use sandpaper to clean it. Don’t forget to turn off the gas before you start cleaning, and ensure your thermocouple is cool before you begin.
If you clean the thermocouples in your water heater, but the problem persists, they may be bent.
If it has been bent far enough away from the pilot light, it will cease to function because it can’t detect the heat. It is also easy to fix this issue: bend the thermocouple back into its original position.
You should bend the thermocouple back until it is close enough to the pilot flame to touch it lightly. With the steps above, you can generally resolve this issue if it’s the cause of your problem.
When Not To Replace Your Thermocouple
If it has a closed burner chamber or no pilot light, your gas water heater will be much more difficult to access. A professional should replace the thermocouple if you are doing it yourself.
Final Words
Depending on the cause, you may be able to repair the problem yourself if your pilot light goes out. Here are some steps to troubleshoot a pilot light that won’t stay lit.
If you work with gas, you need to be highly cautious. If you aren’t comfortable doing this work, it is advisable to hire a professional.
