Posted: 3/16/2005 7:21:51 PM EDT
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Our hot water heater will light when I depress the pilot button and light it but when I let off the button to turn the knob the the on position the flame goes out as soon as I let off the button. What am I doing wrong or how do I fix what is wrong? Thanks |
| Thermocouple has probably gone bad -- one end is a probe that is surrounded by the lit pilot light and a thin copper lead runs out to the gas valve. Should be able to get one at any home store or hardware store the hardest decision being the right length. get a rough idea of how long the present one is you dont have to be exact just approximate the overall length so you dont get one too small to reach. Follow the instructions on the package they are all similar physically and function the same. Getting the old one out should be the hardest part and its not that hard. I usually re-light pilot with my torch so as to get the thermocouple up to heat faster, but the normal method should only take a minuite or too to get it to sense and stay lit. |