Why is my propane heater not igniting?

The most common reasons for a non-working propane heater are a dirty thermocouple, a thermocouple that is too far from the flame, a blocked pilot tube, an empty/overfilled gas canister, and drafts. Fortunately, the majority of homeowners will be able to take care of these issues on their own.

Why is my propane heater flickering?





Flame flickers or spits – A draft in the room can cause your flame to flicker. Spitting is often caused by a dirty gas orifice or tube. These can be cleaned with a stiff wire, but you’ll need to remove the pilot light assembly to do so.

Why won’t my pilot light stay lit on my propane heater?

If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.

How do I reset my propane heater?

How to Reset a Propane Heater After You Run Out of Gas

  1. Open the access door on the heater and turn the control to the ‘off’ position.
  2. Close the empty tank by turning the handle counterclockwise. …
  3. Replace the used tank. …
  4. To open the tank, turn the valve clockwise.

Why does my pilot light keep flickering?

The pilot light needs air to burn, but not too much nor too little. Too much air, in the form of a draft, will cause the pilot to flicker and may blow it out. The draft may be coming from under a door or through a poorly-sealed window, or the draft may be intermittent, occurring only when a door or window is open.

What causes a weak pilot flame?





If your pilot light is burning but has a weak, yellow flame, it is not working efficiently enough. The pilot light flame should be blue, slightly tinged with yellow only at the tip — a sign there is enough heat to warm your water or your home.

Can you clean a thermocouple?

Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.

Can a thermocouple be repaired?

Thermocouples are designed to detect a pilot light’s loss of heat and close the gas valve to prevent a gas leak. Replacing a thermocouple is a relatively easy fix that can take less than two hours.

How do you fix a pilot light on a gas heater?

How to Fix Your Pilot Light

  1. Find your gas valve. …
  2. You need to turn the valve to the off position for at least three minutes.
  3. Once you have had the valve at off for a few minutes, switch it over to pilot setting.
  4. You will need a match that is lit. …
  5. Set the pilot valve to the on position.



How do you clean a propane pilot light?

Use your pliers or wrench to remove the pilot light and thermocouple from the bracket. Using the wire brush, brush away the carbon buildup and soot from both components. For hard to reach areas and stubborn buildup, use the metal file. Wipe away dust with a soft cloth or burst of compressed air.

How do you clean a gas pilot light tube?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The easiest way to clean a pilot assembly is the only way operating pump once or twice will easily clear the ash from the orifice. Inside the pilot assembly.

Why does my gas heater not ignite?



If your gas furnace initiates the start cycle but does not fire up, it’s likely because of a faulty, damaged, or dirty ignitor/sensor. This is a very common furnace problem—you can try to clean the sensor and replace the ignitor.

Can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up?

You Have a Faulty Ignition Sensor (Pilot Light)



The pilot light or ignition sensor is usually the most common issue when your furnace will not ignite. This is typically the problem if you can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up.

How do I clean my furnace ignitor sensor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So if you have a situation like this what you have 90% of the time is just a dirty flame sensor. So we'll go through the steps on how to clean it. So the right side of the furnace.