A faulty, misaligned, dirty, or damaged thermocouple is often the culprit behind your pilot light going out. The thermocouple is an automatic safety shutoff device that prevents the gas valve from opening if the pilot light is out.

Why does my pilot light keep going out with a new thermocouple?

Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light’s flame. In either case, the thermocouple will struggle to sense the pilot light and stop the gas supply.

What is wrong when pilot light won’t stay lit?





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.

Why does my hot water tank pilot light keep going out?

The Pilot tube supplies gas to the pilot light for combustion. The flame will go out if the tube is clogged with dirt or debris. Sometimes, the tube might be partially clogged and supplying very little gas for combustion- No wonder your pilot light keeps going out. The Solution: Thorough cleaning should do the trick.

Why does my pilot keep going out on my gas heater?

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.

How do I stop the wind from blowing out my pilot light?

You can prevent a faulty pilot light from wind by fixing your thermocouple, gas release, protecting against downdrafts, capping your chimney, and checking your firebox cover.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?





It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.

How do you fix a bad thermocouple?

How to Replace a Thermocouple

  1. Choose the new thermocouple based on the size and mounting style of the old one. …
  2. Detach the old thermocouple as described above.
  3. Remove the new thermocouple from the packaging and uncoil it to the appropriate shape.
  4. Attach the new thermocouple to the pilot assembly and the gas valve.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a furnace?

Thermocouple. If your furnace is an older model with a pilot light, it relies on a thermocouple to shut off its gas valve if the flame goes out. The average cost to repair or replace a thermocouple is $100–$250.