wall heater pilot will not stay on?
Question by Robert M: wall heater pilot will not stay on?
installed a new thermocoupler and pilot stayed for about twenty minutes. during that time I tried to turn the heater on but nothing happened. I also jumped the thermostat wires to no avail.
After the twenty minutes the pilot does not stay on at all. Any help will be appreciated. Don’t tell me to call a seviceman.
If anything, I will replace the whole unit myself.
Best answer:
Answer by Dustin
If you can’t figure out the pilot light without help, you definitely can’t repair the whole unit yourself. Call a repairman before you have to take a trip to the emergency room after the firemen put out the house fire.
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I have to say your first answer from Dustin is the right one here
Not exactly sure why the other two were so worried about ‘explosions’! Jumping a thermostat is the same as having it on, which YOU know. More info would be helpful. Is this the only gas appliance in the house? If not, does the kitchen range work OK? Are all other appliances OK?
If this is the only gas appliance:
There is a chance you have air in the line, which would be from a faulty/broken filter, usually, or loose fitting allowing air to get in. If you don’t have a filter right there on the unit, I doubt it is the main gas line filter (although it could be. There is a large roundish disk shaped piece that is attached to the meter. If it is making a bunch of noise when the gas is running, then the damper in the filter is spent. It’s not removing the condensation). Did the pilot flicker at all during the twenty minute period? You’re positive you have the two wires on the correct way? It’s possible that the ignition switch is at fault. You didn’t mention why you replaced the thermo-coupler (because the furnace would not run, or that the pilot wouldn’t stay lit?) Have you checked to see if the ignition switch is bad by using a meter or merely by heating up the coupler element (with the gas off) and then turning on the ignitor. You should be able to hear it open.
Not being there I hate to tell you do this, but I have done this in the past. This problem does happen when it is VERY cold. Condensation builds up in the line because of a crack or some other form of air getting into the gas line, especially if the line runs a long distance from the meter to the unit. Do this only if you feel very comfortable with this!!!
Make sure there are NO open flames anywhere near the furnace. Using a small fan, turn it on near where you are working. Turn off the main gas line. Remove the pressure coupling nut on the main gas line coming into the furnace (not the one going to the pilot). Pull it far enough away that it can allow gas to come out. Turn on the main gas line for about 3-4 seconds. Put it back together. Wait a few minutes and attempt to light the pilot again. It will take a little longer because of the air in the line. This has fixed the problem twice in the past twenty years. Remember, only do this if you are absolutely sure that the ignition switch is working properly and the pilot light is flickering – even a little. Only because, why go through all the hassle if it’s the switch, right?
So, in my assesment from what I know is that it is either the ignition switch, faulty filter, or condensation in the line. Not knowing if the main burners are trying to light, it’s hard to determine it, ya know? Need a little more info.
Well, Good Luck to ya. I’m sure you will get ‘er going. Just be careful!
PS~ I’ll come back to see if you re-post more info…
The wall unit I had if the pilot wouldnt stay on the whole thing needed blown out with compresed air.