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.
What do I do if my pilot light keeps going out?
We recommend replacing your thermocouple if you notice physical damage or if the pilot light keeps going out. Not only can these issues be frustrating and time-consuming, but they could also be a safety risk. If your pilot light just won’t stay on, try replacing your thermocouple.
What causes the pilot light to go out?
Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a furnace?
$150 to $250
Replacing a thermocouple costs $150 to $250, mostly due to labor time. On older models without an ignitor, it checks to make sure your pilot light is lit. If it’s not, it’ll shut the gas off.
What does it mean when your water heater pilot light keeps going out?
Thermocouple Issues
If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater. Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light’s flame.
How do I know if my thermocouple is broken?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. 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.
How do you clean a dirty thermocouple?
The best way to clean your thermocouple is to use either a piece of steel wool or the coarse side of a sponge to gently clean off any soot or other remnants. You can use a pencil eraser to clean between the threads of the screw that connects the thermocouple to the control valve of your system.
How do you fix a gas fire that keeps going out?
Easy DIY Fix: Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit
- Before You Begin: Is Your Pilot Light Lit Inside Fireplace?
- The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit.
- Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts.
- Don’t Replace Your Thermopile or Thermocouple Right Away.
- Cleaning the Thermopile.
- Re-test the Cleaned Thermopile.
Do I need to turn gas off if pilot light goes out?
Your pilot light relies on your natural gas to stay aflame, so if your gas is shut off, your pilot light will go out. Simply turn your gas back on and either relight your pilot light yourself or call a professional.
How long does a thermocouple last?
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.
How do I clean a dirty pilot tube?
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.
Why won’t my pilot light stay lit on my gas 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.
Why does my furnace flame keep going out?
If your furnace keeps shutting off, it could be due to low airflow. There are several indirect issues that cause low airflow. Dirty Air Filters. If you don’t change your air filters often enough, the filters will become dirty and clogged, which means the heat exchanger retains heat and eventually causes it to overheat.
How do I clean my furnace flame sensor?
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.
Why does my furnace only run for a few minutes?
Dirty or faulty flame sensor
If your furnace turns off after a few minutes, there is a good chance it is caused by a faulty or dirty flame sensor. This vital component is designed to keep an eye on the gas burner. When it cannot sense that burner, the furnace runs then shuts off and starts again.
How do you fix a short cycle on a furnace?
A dirty air filter is the most common cause of short-cycling. If your air filter is clogged with dirt, it won’t allow proper air flow to the heat exchanger. That can cause the furnace to overheat and forces the high limit switch to ride to the rescue by shutting the furnace off.
How much is a flame sensor for furnace?
Flame Sensor
It stops your furnace from letting off large amounts of natural gas if it’s not working properly. If the sensor is bad, it won’t be able to sense heat and will turn the furnace off. The average cost to repair or replace a flame sensor is between $75–$200.
Can you clean a flame sensor?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Now there's the flame sensor. And all we have to do to clean this is just to take a little piece of Emery paper. And sand it slightly. So if you don't have any of the sand. Cloth.
How long do furnace flame sensors last?
If you’ve just replaced the sensor or had a new furnace installed, you can expect the flame sensor to last for about five years. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15 to 30 years, so you can anticipate a flame sensor replacement once or twice over the course of your homeownership.
