Pilot light went out ... can I fix it on my own (no explosion jokes please)

[Maverick2002]

The pilot light in my furnace went out, sort of. It was always lit and would initiate the rest of the burn as necessary, but now it's out. I tried relighting it - there's a button you can press down - but as soon as I release the button the light goes out again. I'm guessing something with the electrical mechanism that's supposed to keep the pilot light on is busted? Or is it something else?

I don't want to blow myself up, but at the same time I'm wondering if it's a simple fix. Pics of the furnace later. It's an older unit (~28 years, end of life) but has been working for the past year I've been at this place perfectly fine so far.

If it is something I need to call an HVAC person for, how much would a fix like this run?

The gas for my water tank continues to work fine.

 

[Vette73]

Easy fix if its the common problem.

usually in cases like this its the thermocouple. Get the make and model and go to a parts site and see how much a new one is. Replace it and that fixs it most of the time.


EDIT: Heres a picture. Little write up as well. Might help.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-major-appliances5.htm

 

[FM2n]

If you can't get it lit, just turn it to the off position. But typically you're supposed to light it while you're holding down the button for about 15 seconds.

 

[RavenSEAL]

 

[lxskllr]

Keep trying it, and read the directions carefully. Pilot lights can be finicky to light, and it sometimes takes a bit of effort.

 

[Eli]

Light it again and hold down the button for a good minute.

If it still goes out when you release, your thermocouple is bad. Easy, cheap fix.

 

[Squisher]

Light it again and hold down the button for a good minute.

If it still goes out when you release, your thermocouple is bad. Easy, cheap fix.

this

 

[mb]

Light it again and hold down the button for a good minute.

If it still goes out when you release, your thermocouple is bad. Easy, cheap fix.

Yup, it really does take a solid minute sometimes. Mine was going out quite a bit and my thumb slipped maybe 30 seconds into it and the damn thing didn't stay lit.

I ended up replacing my thermocouple after it went out several times. It was like $3 and I also need to buy a stubby screw driver to remove the old one. Took me 20 minutes to do, but could probably do it again in under 5 if I had to.

 

[DivideBYZero]

*BOOOOM*

caps

 

[Wingznut]

Easy fix if its the common problem.

usually in cases like this its the thermocouple. Get the make and model and go to a parts site and see how much a new one is. Replace it and that fixs it most of the time.


EDIT: Heres a picture. Little write up as well. Might help.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-major-appliances5.htm

Excellent advice. I had the exact same issue last year (except it was my water heater), replaced the thermocouple, and all is good.

 

[hdfxst]

the instructions on how to light it are on the unit.On the side of the pilot light there is a small air hole that gets plugged with dust,blow it out before you light it

 

[Maverick2002]

Thanks for the advice, I'll try both. I'm assuming you need to keep the pilot light going to for a minute or so to warm up the thermocouple so it doesn't shut it off?

Is there anything else I need to turn off before I do this? I'm assuming the rest of the gas (that's above the pilot light) doesn't flow until I tell it to via my thermostat, correct?

 

[DrPizza]

As long as I clicked on this thread, I'll also add in: 20% chance you're not holding the button down long enough, 80% chance that the thermocouple is shot. It's a $5 part available at just about any hardware store. For those reading this thread, it's worth having an extra on hand for when the furnace stops working at 8pm on a Saturday night in January when it's 5 below zero outside.

Also, not mentioned above (and perhaps my recollection is getting rusty), some thermocouples are reverse threaded. i.e. lefty tighty righty loosey. When you get the replacement one, look at the threads on it. When you remove the one you have, if unscrewing it one way doesn't work (it doesn't take a he-man to turn them with a small wrench), then try unscrewing it the other way.

 

[Thump553]

Local story from this summer-man trapped arm while cleaning furnace, amputates arm to stay alive:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Home/man-trapped-furnace-amputated-arm/story?id=10889441

But he hit the jackpot-his oil company ended up giving him a brand new furnace for free. I don't know if a service contract came with it.

 

[mb]

Local story from this summer-man trapped arm while cleaning furnace, amputates arm to stay alive:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Home/man-trapped-furnace-amputated-arm/story?id=10889441

But he hit the jackpot-his oil company ended up giving him a brand new furnace for free. I don't know if a service contract came with it.

God damn.

And here I thought it was bad when I had some cuts on my hand and arm from replacing my thermocouple because the small metal opening was so damn sharp.

 

[Engineer]

Light it again and hold down the button for a good minute.

If it still goes out when you release, your thermocouple is bad. Easy, cheap fix.

This again. Probably a bad thermocouple, although it could be other issues with the main valve body, etc.

 

[Maverick2002]

Looks like it was a matter of not holding down the button long enough. I got it to stay on after holding it for about 30 seconds and everything is working now.

Thanks everyone, I made it. I'll keep the thermocouple in mind in case it stops working and doesn't come back on like this.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Oy! Children buying homes. I foresee a huge bump in the repair and maintenance industry. Sorry, I'm not trying to be a jerk OP. I've just noticed a huge number of people lately who have zero experience with any of the life skills that my generation took for granted.

 

[DrPizza]

Oy! Children buying homes. I foresee a huge bump in the repair and maintenance industry. Sorry, I'm not trying to be a jerk OP. I've just noticed a huge number of people lately who have zero experience with any of the life skills that my generation took for granted.

Amazing, isn't it? My kids were forced to learn how to do a ton of things that were taken for granted 30 years ago, but now, "require a specialist."

 

[IAteYourMother]

Oy! Children buying homes. I foresee a huge bump in the repair and maintenance industry. Sorry, I'm not trying to be a jerk OP. I've just noticed a huge number of people lately who have zero experience with any of the life skills that my generation took for granted.

And old people pay for computer help and repair. It all evens out.

 

[Engineer]

And old people pay for computer help and repair. It all evens out.

Some of us don't!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

And old people pay for computer help and repair. It all evens out.

Actually, I can do both. What worries me is a generation so dependent on technology coupled with the corporate fervor to remove anything resembling manufacturing and support to other shores will leave the U.S. helpless one day.

Throughout our history we've played catchup every time another country got rambunctious but, we've always had the materials and the infrastructure and the will to be the victor. Now, we have less materials, less infrastructure and, some would say less will to compete. Sorry to digress into my pet dooms day scenario.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled 'reality' show where Marge struggles with the eternal question, "My internets don't work, how will we survive?"

 

[IAteYourMother]

Actually, I can do both.

And so can other people, young and old.

 

[phreaqe]

Amazing, isn't it? My kids were forced to learn how to do a ton of things that were taken for granted 30 years ago, but now, "require a specialist."

not all of us had someone to teach us some of those skills....the only time we get to learn them is by having them happen to us and then learn how to fix it.

 

[Maverick2002]

Looks like I spoke too soon, the light went out again. I'll try it a couple more times and if it keeps going out after the furnace is done heating the place, I guess I'll get a new thermocouple.

Yes we are dependent on technology. I'm 26 and my parents have a hard time letting go of the fact that it won't ever revert. It's not that we're untrained in life skills, it's that we're trained in a different set of skills. Yea my dad can fix a radio, but he still asks me when his email breaks. Getting off topic, but I see this as a natural progression. As more and more manufacturing becomes automated and more and more technology takes over for more and more complex tasks, people refocus on other tasks, for better or for worse.