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Thermocouple in the hand before installation (C) Daniel FriedmanGas Flame Thermocouple Repair FAQs

Troubleshooting & Replacement

Thermocouple diagnostic FAQs for heating appliances:

Questions & answers on how to diagnose & repair or replace a bad thermocouple or thermopile.

This article series describes thermocouples, safety devices used on gas fired heating equipment.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Thermocouples: Definition & Uses in Gas Fired Heating Equipment

Gas fireplace thermocouple assembly with bracket (C) InspectApedia.comThese questions & answers about diagnosing, fixing or replacing thermocouples on building heating equipment were posted originally

at THERMOCOUPLE REPAIR / REPLACEMENT.

Illustrated here: a typical gas fireplace thermocouple assembly showing its principal components. This particular unit is a model 70K0 Thermocouple.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2021-05-13 - by (mod) -

@DAVID PIMBLETT,

Check that the thermocouple is properly placed in the flame, that the flame height is normal, that the other end of the thermocouple is snug, and if there's nothing there, either look through the diagnostics at THERMOCOUPLE REPAIR / REPLACEMENT https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Thermocouple_Replacement.php

or just try replacing the part.

Let me know if that works for you and if not we'll be glad to continue troubleshooting.

On 2021-05-13 by DAVID PIMBLETT

I have a Thetford fridge in my caravan. When on gas it lights ok with the spark but goes out after 15 seconds. It is a combined sparker/ thermocouple device just connected with wires .
Any advice please

On 2020-11-10 by Jim

We replaced the thermocouple and the pilot light stays lit. But no heat. What is wrong?

On 2020-07-17 - by (mod) -

Don

First let's make sure that the flame sensor is correctly position in the flame and let's make sure that the end of the thermocouple that screws to the gas valve is absolutely screwed all the way in

I've seen that mistake cause a thermocouple not to work.

On 2020-07-15 by Don Gilbert

Just replaced the thermocouple and the pilot still will not stay lit. Is there anything else i can check or am I looking at replacing the entire controller? This is a 1994 Cozy Wall heater with a Honeywell controller. The pilot wouldn't stay lit and I was told that that is usually a thermocouple. Anything else i can check myself or is it time to call in a professional?

On 2020-05-15 - by (mod) -

Dennis

Can you post a photo?

The typical gas thermocouple we describe here uses a sensor and a thin copper tube - no electrical wires.

Though there may be wires connected at the gas valve, typically used to support spill switches.

On 2020-05-15 by Dennis

Any idea what keeps burning the thermocouple wires?
I replaced the thermocouple once and the gas control valve as well.
The water heater is 5 years old and suddenly it has started doing burning the wires.

On 2020-02-11 - by (mod) -

Bob

I think you mean millivolt, not volts, right? I 30 millivolt thermocouple is pretty much the current industry standard and should be fine.

On 2020-02-10 by Bob

Can you use a 30 volt thermocouple when it calls for 24 volt thermocouple?

On 2017-12-30 by (mod) - thermocouple was replaced but flame goes out

Lowering flame and "going out" could be an oxygen depletion sensor thinks the system is unsafe.

Or your thermocouple sensor is not properly located within the flame.

Also check that the other end of the thermocouple tube is fully screwed in to the gas valve.

On 2017-12-30 15:09:16.590506 by TonyT

I put in a new thermocouple because when the pilot was lit and I turned it went out. Now it worked good for about 15 minutes then acted like it ran out off gas (its not) as the flames got lower and went out.
What would cause that? I also broke the bleeder flat bar off, would that cause it?
TIA

On 2017-12-17 15:46:44.715834 by (mod) -

Renee

No, the thermocouple is a safety device that confirms that a flame is present and turns off the heater if the flame is not present or not adequate - thus avoiding pouring explosive fuel into an un-burned location.

A defective, damaged, or shorted-out wall thermostat, thermostat wiring, or heater control is where you'd look fo rheat that won't turn off.

Use the on-page search box at the top or bottom of this page to find our article on HEAT WON'T TURN OFF to read how to diagnose and fix the trouble.

On 2017-12-17 15:39:03.859699 by Renee

My Dyna-glow vent free propane wall mount heater, works great EXCEPT it will NOT cut off when room reaches desired temperature . Does it need to have thermocoupler replacex ?

On 2017-11-17 03:08:09.378616 by (mod) -

Shsn,

Often the problem is that you need to manually hold the gas on long enough to purge air from the line.

On 2017-11-17 02:18:25.784473 by Shan

Just installed a hearthrite gas wall heater and I can't get it to light

On 2017-11-12 05:02:07.866997 by (mod) -

Glen,

I expect you run into what many do which is that the fitting may be reverse threaded. We warned about that in this article series.

If you look in the article above you'll see a photograph on which I have placed an arrow indicating the direction that helps sort out where the you are loosening or tightening the fixture.

On 2017-11-11 by Glen

What type of female thread is the thermopile / thermocouple connection on a gas valve?


On 2017-11-05 by Roxie

I have a Williams gas wall furnace and have a problem after vacuuming out any debris we got the pilot light to stay lit but now the furnace gets so hot the floor in front of the furnace can't be touched. This has never happened before it seems the flame is very high inside the furnace. What could be the problem

On 2017-11-05 13:27:05.840094 by Curtis

I'm having a problem with my wall mount propane heater it will work perfect for a little then everything goes out pilot and burners does anyone have a clue

On 2017-10-31 18:29:21.907451 by Richard

I replaced thermocoupler know it stays light but the burner doesn't come on.

On 2017-10-28 by (mod) - why does the gas fireplace turn itself off?

Claudia

I don't know, although the situation you described could be unsafe. I don't have enough information to do more than make a wild guess. Perhaps when your heating system is running it's use of combustion air or issues of return air is making the fireplace starved for combustion air.

Then if your fireplace has a safety device that detects improper combustion it could be shutting down.

On 2017-10-27 by Claudia

After 15 minutes of my gas furnace being completely on and functuning perfect, the fireplace turns off by itself .why

Question: Help fixing a Gazco Studio 22 Gas Fire

(Aug 27, 2017) K. Godard said:

Hi. I'm desperately in need of advice concerning my Gazco Studio 22 gas fire. By the bottle manifold, there's a 'normally open' manual reset gas solenoid safety valve fitted. This valve shuts off the gas supply when electricity is sent to it in an emergency situation, and conversely, opens again when the electric is off.

My question is this: if the electricity in the house fails, how would the solenoid work?

Surely a 'normally closed' version would be correct (so when electricity fails, the supply is turned off)? All advice would be greatly appreciated.

Reply:

KG

Most gas fire pilot or thermocouple controls are designed to "fail safe" - that is, the thermocouple keeps the gas valve open ONLY when it is sensing the heat from an adequate gas flame. The system operates on a system that generally doesn't require an external electrical power source.

Indeed take a look at the gas fireplace thermocouple and pilot flame assembly shown above on this page: you'll see that there are no electrical wires involved in the pilot flame sensor. (There will be an electrical wire, not shown, that connects between a mechanical pushbutton and the piezoelectric gas igniter - a device used only for initial flame ignition.

At the Gazco (Stovax) website the company provides a product description for the Studio 22 Gas Fire that you mentioned - it is sold in several models.

Unfortunately ALL of the Gazco Stovax Gas Fire 22 links to supporting documentation given at their website if you follow the company's obvious links to technical support will result in page not found errors. Below I do include PDF copies of Stovax Studio Gas Fires that I could locate elsewhere including a manual for the Gazco Studio conventional flue fire.

You can contact Gasco - Stovax directly for technical support in Devon:

Gazco , Osprey Road , Sowton Industrial Estate, Exeter, Devon EX2 7JG UK
Customer Services: +44 (0)1392 261900
Technical Enquiries: +44 (0)1392 261950
Website: http://www.stovax.com/stove-fire/studio-gas-fires/studio-22-gas-fires/

On 2017-10-13 by Michael

Could it be the relay that the end of the couple sensor is shot it looks pretty beat up in there

On 2017-10-13 by (mod) - heater pilot flame won't stay lit

Michael,

One of the first things to check is position of the sensor in the flame.

The second thing I check is that the other end of the thermocouple is completely and properly mounted in the gas control. Sometimes simply a little tightening of its connection makes the difference.

Keep me posted.

On 2017-10-13 by Michael

Just replaced my thermal couple in my gas heater. I had problems all last winter. When I light it and start the heater it stay lit for a bout 25 seconds then goes clicks and goes out. Not sure why?

On 2017-10-11 by (mod) - replacement gas pilot and thermocouple assembly for a Bond Somersville series fire table

Larry

I looked at Bond's website for a PDF installation manual for any of the Bond Somersville series fire tables - with no success.

However some vendors such as Lowes do provide the I&O Manual for the Bond Somersville fire table series, such as this example: BOND SOMERSVILLE FIRE TABLE I&O MANUAL [PDF]

There you'll see a hint of presence of the thermocouple and bracket and igniter but no detailed parts explosion. Perhaps because the company is itself buying the burner assembly from a third party vendor.

and this more-detailed parts explosion in a similar manual from Home Depot, also for a Bond heater product: BOND FIREPIT 221820 MANUAL [PDF]

This Bond I&O Manual, in tiny illustrations, shows that the thermocouple and igniter are mounted to the bottom of a pan under the burner itself - this HAS to be model-specific.

Among the company's replacement parts are both bare thermocouples and thermocouple assemblies that include the necessary mounting bracket.

An example is illustrated ABOVE on THIS PAGE

You'll see that the bracket is absolutely necessary to hold the thermocouple, piezoelectric igniter, and the gas pilot in the right position with respect to one another.

I looked at illustrations for Onlyfire gas burners for firepits at several vendors and saw no details about nor even the presence of igniters and thermosouples. Perhaps we're supposed to just turn on the gas and use a match, with no thermocouple safety device.

In my OPINION it is unconscionable for a third party vendor to sell a replacement burner without making clear what parts are needed for safe, proper operation.

You might try contacting the Bond Manufacturing company at

On 2017-10-11 by Anonymous


Thanks for the reply. The pit, hoses, valves, coupler are Bond Manufacturing model Somersville.

The replacement burner ring and pan are Onlyfire, LLC. 18x18 Square Stainless Steel which came via Amazon without an aparaent site to mount the sensor. There is no bracket. Can I mount it so that the sensor is in the flame coming out of the burner somewhere?

valves

On 2017-10-11 by (mod) - fixing a fire pit burner pilot and thermocouple assembly

Larry,

I would not proceed before naming the brand and model of the fire pit / burner, then finding a copy of its installation and operation manual. A do-it-yourself thermocouple mount bracket, location, and installation risks being unsafe.

On 2017-10-11 by Larry

Where should I mount the thermal coupler sensor if there is no bracket on the replacement pan/burner. This is a propane outdoor fire pit. There is no pilot flame or igniter
Thanks

On 2017-03-06 by Anonymous - fireplace thermocouple sensor diagnosis

Sounds as if your heater may be producing dangerous or even fatal carbon monoxide, shutting itself off.

Be sure you have working CO detectors properly located and tested.

Review the heater manual to see if it has a CO safety feature.

Also check combustion air adequacy.

On 2017-03-06 by Karl

Thanks - I pulled the glass today, cleaned the pilot assembly including the thermocouple and checked all connections. I cleaned and reinstalled the glass. The fireplace started and ran for roughly an hour, then the fire went out. The pilot remains lit, even after the fire extinguishes.

I can turn the pilot off at the switch. If I try to restart the fireplace the electronic ignitor starts the pilot light, but the main flame will not ignite.

If I wait until the unit cools, the fireplace will light up again. I guess I could replace the entire pilot assembly, and see if that fixes the problem. It's strange that the pilot light stays on, when the main flame goes out. It seems to me that if the thermocouple was bad, the main flame and pilot would extinguush.

On 2017-03-06 by (mod) fixing a Lennox gas log fireplace with an electronic ignition

I'm not sure what's wrong, Karl, perhaps a bad regulator or dirty gas orifices, but a common cause would be a bad thermocouple or flame sensor.

On 2017-03-05 by Karl

I have a Lennox gas log fireplace with an electronic ignition. The fireplace flame lights and burns for an hour, then the flame goes out.

The pilot light stays lit. It takes another hour before the fireplace will light again, and it stays lit for another hour. I've by passed the wall switch, so I know the switch and temperature control are not the problem. I'm baffled and need your help. Thanks in advance!!!

On 2017-02-08 by (mod) Sanding won't fix a failed thermopile,

Sanding won't fix a failed thermopile, but replacement would work IF 1. that was the problem and 2. the new unit was fully seated and its connector screwed in fully at the control-end of the device. I suspect there's still a problem either with the thermocouple connections or with its placement (not in the flame).

On 2017-02-04 by Bob Regan

I have a natural gas fireplace (with local wall switch and remote control receiver circuit). It just quick working suddenly, pilot self extinguished etc. I have ensured that the remote receiver has good batteries. Like a lot of other folks, the pilot will not stay lit.

I removed the thermopile and sanded lightly to make sure corrosion or carbon buildup was not preventing operation. I next replaced the thermopile with an identical one (at least, looked identical to me).

Well, the pi.ot still goes off as soon as I release the pilot switch. I removed the pilot valve cover to expose the coil and cannot see anything obviously wrong. The pilot valve is a Robertshaw brand with 0% turndown (2001 vintage) . Got any ideas/advice? My next move is to simply replace the pilot valve assembly....... then probably call a pro?

On 2017-01-18 by Anonymous

Pilot light lights but goes out when the burner attempts to kick on, any ideas?

On 2017-01-16 by (mod) thermocouple that keeps fireplace burning has snapped

Dean

If the thermocouple has broken off you will want to dash out to a plumbing or building supplier and buy a replacement one to get your heater going. Meanwhile just turn off the gas supply to that heater for safety.

A gas fireplace that is off would not cause other heating systems to stop.

On 2017-01-16 by Dean

Have no hot water or heating . Piolet light on ...but thermocouple that keeps fireplace burning has snapped

Would that course no hot water and heating rads. In airing cupboard pump wrks and hear it running ALL COPPER PIPES COLD

THANKS
DEAN

On 2016-12-28 by (mod) diagnose & fix millivolt/pilot flame controlled Robert Shaw gas valve

When you replaced the valve did you replace the thermocouple? If not I would do so.

Be sure you also have working and properly located carbon monoxide detectors as a malfunctioning gas heater can be fatal.

On 2016-12-28 by bafrank

I have a wall furnace with a millivolt/pilot flame controlled Robert Shaw gas valve, which has been working just fine as this heating season began this year. A few days ago it started not consistently responding to changes to the thermostat.

When I would manually raise the temp settings, something I do all the time, the read out on the thermosdtat would say "heat on" but the gas would not turn on. I could very lightly tap the control valve and the buner would ignight and the heater would run until the set room temp was reached.

Once the burner cut off it was hit or miss as to whether it would cut on again...without tapping the valve. I replaced the valve yesterday and the heater ran for several cycles. But this morning, when I over-rode the temp setting (battery operated programable thermostat) the burner failed to turn on.

A light tap to the valve precipitated ignition and the burner ran until the set temp was reached. As the room temp has dropped, the heater has faild again to ignite. The pilot/thermocouple control was replaced about 5 years ago. Ther previous unit lasted 20 years. I would like to know what to trouble shoot rather than replacing another part in a trial and error method.

On 2016-12-20 by Eddie

I am renting a house with gas water heater. It is an old water heater. The gas on/off switch is spring loaded according to the plumber that came out to see why I was getting no hot water after the air temperatures fell into the 40s and 50s here. He said the gas was turned off.

Now I am no dummy, if I had turned the gas off I would have simply turned it back on. He said the control valve is spring loaded. He had never seen or heard of it, but he said the on/off switch could have popped to the off position because of the spring.

Once he turned it on I suddenly had really hot water shortly after. In hindsight I never thought the water was 'hot'. Just OK warmth. Temps here over the summer were in the 90-100 range most days. Could it be possible the gas was never turned on and I was getting enough warmth with just the pilot light burning? Or is it possible the spring loaded valve did switch to off for some reason? Thanks

On 2016-12-19 by Cw

GE. gas water tank ignights to heat water but slower goes out after 3 to 5 seconds.

On 2016-12-02 2 by Jon

I have a older house gas furnace Carrier model #58GC080-1A The pilot stay's lit but the burner's don't come on. when you turn the heater on at the thermostat you hear the fan or blower come on but no heat,

Now at the furnace I connected a jumper wire between the red and white wire to bypass the thermostat same thing pilot light is lit blower come's on but burner's never light.

So it's not the thermostat could it be the thermocouple? can they go bad and the pilot stay lit and not let the burner light or is it the gas valve. and I been looking up part's and can't find anything for this thing.

On 2016-11-24 by (mod) gas fireplace has a thermopile and a "thermocouple"

thermocouples are pretty standard parts on residential gas heating equipment. I would remove the old one and take it to my Plumbing supplier for a match up.

On 2016-11-23 by Keith

My gas fireplace has a thermopile and a "thermocouple" which is a sensor at the pilot with a very thin single metal wire running to a round metal casing which in turn has 2 connectors for the connection to the gas valve. i get no v reading on the wire connectors so I am assuming the sensor needs to be replaced.

(Pilot flame will not stay on when I release the knob). Problem is I cannot find a replacement part, and the fireplace is about 25 years old.

Can I get a thermocouple that ends with 2 wires and direct connect to the gas valve ? I have replaced the thermopile and the v reading for that seems to be good.

On 2016-11-16 by Spence

What causes a deposit to build up on the side of a thermocouple in a gas fireplace that eventually eats through the outer casing?

On 2016-08-19 by (mod) thermocouple connector to gas valve is reverse-threaded!

Thermocouple connection at the gas valveIt's so that most thermocouples are reverse-threaded.

What's the brand you're using? Certainly thermocouples are a rather standard part used on many different gas controls, all of which are likely to use the same thread direction.

See THERMOCOUPLE INSTALLATION

On 2016-08-18 by Konrad

well...my thermocuple keeps burning out

hasn't happen before, every one I put in now burns out after about one or two hot tank of water.

You're saying

Turn the screw clockwise to loosen a right-hand-threaded connector such as this one < no .anticlockwise to loosen a right handed nut, clockwise on a left handed like mine has.>

On 2016-03-08 by (mod) explanations for gas flame failure after installing a new thermocouple

John

Here are some possible explanations for gas flame failure after installing a new thermocouple

1. the end of the thermocouple that attaches to the gas valve is not properly seated or not tightened

2. the flame sensor is not adequately located in the body of the flame

3. the replacement thermocouple was defective or was damaged (kinked line) during installation

4. there is a different problem with the gas valve or gas pressure

On 2016-03-08 by John

Replaced Thermocouple but somehow pilot and or the flame still goes out

On 2016-01-31 by philipkorycinski@gmail.com

On my gas furnace, sometimes the igniter will spark for a longer period of time before a flame and sometimes it will eventually stop with no flame and sometimes it works fine. What could be the culprit?

On 2016-01-16 by (mod) continuous sparking then burns out the igniter

Michael,

I suspect the installation is incorrect or a control board is bad. The continuous sparking then burns out the igniter. A grounded is shorted of wet igniter wire can also cause this problem.

On 2016-01-16 by Michael S.

Michael S. said:
I have a wood burning fireplace with fake logs which my wife likes to use every day. Years ago I had a contractor install this ignitor system so she did not have to use a match every day:

It worked fine for years, but then the ignitor/sensor went bad, so I bought this one

Lately I have had to replace this ignitor/sensor every few months, which clearly isn't right since they are supposed to last many many years.

What ends up happening every time is that the ignitor/sensor sparks, the pilot immediately lights, and the ignitor/sensor continues to spark and not open the gas line even though the tip is definitely in the pilot flame.

The tip turns red from the heat of the flame, and it keeps sparking as if it cannot sense the flame of the pilot.

Even if I use a lighter to put an additional flame on the sensor, it still keeps sparking in the pilot flame.

I have tried cleaning the tip which never seems to fix it, so I end up just replacing it.

This last one that I replaced did not even work for a week, so obviously I am using the wrong ignitor/sensor, or the wrong size orifice, right? What should I do so that this stays working for years, not days or months?

On 2016-01-16 by Clint

Clint said:
Thanks for this. My thermocoupler has two electric posts on it, what are these for?
Replacement at local appliance store didn't have those posts, so I did not buy it. Looks like this

On 2015-12-19 by W Weil-Mclain #119354325 the pilot is lit , water in phial, thermostat up but no ignition.

Weil-Mclain #119354325 the pilot is lit , water in phial, thermostat up but no ignition.

Pilot lit but noignition

Gas valve not opening.

On 2015-12-08 by jrhem@chorus.net pilot stays on but oven won't fire up

pilot stays on but oven won't fire up. From what I've read here this doesn't sound like a thermocouple problem. What could it be??

On 2015-11-29 by (mod) In my natural gas fireplace, the pilot stays on fine, but the main flames cycle on and off at random.

IWatch out: don't know what brand and model fireplace you have - that'd help.

But generally it sounds as if you're describing a very dangerous situation, risking fatal aspyxiation or an explosion or fire. I would shut off the gas to the fireplace and leave it off until you've had a professional repair or replace its control or regulator or valve - or until another problem such as a gas leak is found.

On 2015-11-29 by hoyt-stearns@cox.net

In my natural gas fireplace, the pilot stays on fine, but the main flames cycle on and off at random. Are there two thermocouples for that? Othewise, what's your wisdom on that?
Thanks

Why does the thermocouple on our boiler keep failing?

Dear Inspectopians:

We have a 1907 rowhouse with a basement gas boiler fueling hot water radiators on the two floors above.

The boiler, a Utica Model 4GB-100, keeps blowing the thermocouple that senses the gas flame (one or two each heating season for the past six or seven years).

Now that we know what to expect, we don't mind replacing the dratted things periodically, but we wonder if this signals something we should be worried about. The long-term future of the heating system is not a big issue, since we likely will not own the house much longer. Our concern involves the living creatures inside it.

We don't mind paying you a reasonable fee for guidance/suggestions. But we're hoping you don't tell us to call in a local professional.

If the experiences of our neighbors are any indication, no one in our area wants to deal with these old "inefficient" systems, only to sell us a brand new one (preferably one that requires moving the boiler to the opposite end of the basement, thus requiring lots of pipes to be relocated).

We appreciate any advice or information you can supply. If you need more information, please don't hesitate to write or holler at us. - K.L. 10/23/2013 Oh, and we LOVE InspectAPedia.

Reply: things to check for repeat failures of a thermocouple or thermopile

A bit of detail might help me help you. Here are some diagnostic questions: Over what time have how many thermocouples failed? Give me a rough calendar.

Can you tell me the brand and part number you've installed?

Can you give me some sharp photos of the heating system - both in macro that I can see the heater's general environment and close-up of the control installation? I particularly want to see a photo of the position of the thermocouple sensor in the actual gas flame. Have you bought all of the replacement parts at the same place?

Did you see anything interesting on the old thermocouples like a kink, sharp bend, mechanical damage?

And no, there is no fee for my consulting as long as it doesn't become too consuming for me. Utica gas boiler information for your product series is at http://www.uticaboilers.com/products_gasboilers_mgb.asp

Take a look at the installation instructions at THERMOCOUPLE REPAIR / REPLACEMENT.

Also take a look at page 27 in this Utica MBG gas boiler installation manual http://www.ecrinternational.com/secure/upload/document/2783.pdf

at the pilot flame diagnostic drawing where you will see that placement of the thermocouple properly in the flame is important: let's also be sure that the problem is the thermocouple and not its position or the pilot flame.

Question: pilot won't stay on after replacing thermocouple

(Jan 4, 2015) Anonymous said:
I have replaced the thermocouple in my gas wall heater but the pilot is not staying on. Is any adjustments at the valves?

Reply:

Anon

I've had this trouble too: check for a thermocouple that is not properly installed: e.g.

Question: new thermocouple, can't keep the pilot lit.

(Oct 2, 2015) bill jackson said:
I just replaced the thermocouple on nat gas boiler but still can't keep pilot flame burning. I think the flame is strong and blue enough but flame goes out when the knob is released. what prevents the pilot from holding?

Reply:

First check that the sensor is mounted well within the flame.

Then hold the ignite control to keep the flame going for at least 30 seconds.

If when you release the control from the "ignite" position if the flame goes out, then check for an improperly-seated thermocouple at the gas valve end.

Question: flame doesn't thouch the thermocouple

(Oct 15, 2015) Frank Guttery said:
Pilot flame does not touch thermocouple all the time. When the flame does not touch the thermocouple the heater cuts off. Why does it do this?

Reply:

This sounds backwards to me; I suspect a defective thermocouple.

Question: replaced thermocouple but can't keep the pilot flame lit

2015/11/09 John said:
Just replaced pilot/thermocouple assembly on my reliance 606 water heater and pilot still blows out?

Reply:

John

If you're sure the thermocouple is a good one (I sometimes try a second one) then check

- that the sensor is properly positioned in the flame

- that the flame is blue, healthy looking, and covers the sensor

- that the other end of the thermocouple is properly seated in the screw-in connector on the gas control

- that the thermocouple line is not nicked or kinked

John said:
I checked all of your suggestions to fix this thing. The pilot stays on then I turn the valve to on then it starts the heating cycle but when its done heating the pilot still goes out. Is there a separate thermopile generator?

Reply:

Not usually on gas water heaters; I suspect the thermocouple is heating up and that is causing movement or change that's fouling things up. When the unit is still hot if you can't re-light the burner that may confirm.

John said:
I disconnected the thermocouple and pilot from the vavle and positioned the 2 so they're straight out of the grommet about 3/4 of an inch. Then recoiled the excess at the bottom of the valve and reconnected em. It seems to have worked. Thanx Daniel

Reply:

Thanks for the follow-up john. I've occasionally had trouble with a thermocouple that seemed connected to the control but wasn't perfectly seated. Perhaps straightening out the tubing at the control end and re-connecting was what solved the trouble. I'll be sure to emphasize that for other readers.


...

Continue reading at THERMOCOUPLE REPAIR / REPLACEMENT - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see THERMOCOUPLE TROUBLESHOOTING FAQs-2 - more-recent questions and answers about thermocouples and thermopiles

Or see these

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Suggested citation for this web page

THERMOCOUPLE TROUBLESHOOTING FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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