Why does the pilot light keep going out on my propane heater?

Usually, a problem with the thermocouple causes the pilot light to go out. The thermocouple is the small copper rod that the pilot light hits. The thermocouple’s job is to shut a gas safety valve if the pilot light goes out. That’s important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit.

How do you clean a thermocouple on a propane heater?

Here is the procedure for cleaning thermocouples:

1. Cut out the fuel supply of your propane heater.
2. Use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the thermocouple.
3. Remove it from the pilot assembly.
4. Gently rub it with your steel wool or the rougher side of your sponge.
5. Rub until you remove all the soot on its surface.

How do you know if you have a bad thermocouple?

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.

Will a bad thermocouple keep a pilot light from lighting?

The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. When a thermocouple fails, the pilot light won’t stay lighted.

How do you fix a pilot light that keeps going out?

What do I do if my pilot light keeps going out?

1. Find the gas shut-off knob and turn to the “Off” setting.
2. Remove the access panel to access the burner.
3. Turn the knob to “Pilot” to start the flow of gas.
4. While still holding the gas knob, light the pilot with a long lighter.

What do you do if your pilot light won’t stay lit?

How to Light Your Furnace’s Pilot

1. Make sure the thermostat is in heat mode.
2. Locate the pilot valve.
3. Always turn the valve knob to the off position and make sure to wait at least several minutes for any residual gas to clear away.
4. Get your match ready.
5. Once the pilot stays lit, turn the pilot valve to the on position.

Can I clean a 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.

What does a thermocouple look like on a propane heater?

The thermocouple looks like a piece of metal tubing smaller than a soda straw. To find it, first, locate the gas control assembly. This is the assembly that the main gas line enters, where you turn the gas on in the propane heater.

How much does it cost to fix a thermocouple?

The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.

How do I test a thermocouple?

Take the two leads from the meter and touch them—the meter should read zero. Once this check is done, turn the meter back to volts. For the actual test, turn on your flame source, and place the tip of the thermocouple into the flame, leaving it there until it is quite hot.

What would cause a pilot light to keep going out?

Thermocouple Malfunction 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 much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?

Why is the pilot light on my patio heater not working?

Spider webs in the pilot tube and a faulty tilt switch can be two reasons why an outdoor patio heater pilot light won’t start or stay lit. The repair of both is discussed.

What to do when your propane heater wont stay lit?

You can clean it out by turning off the gas first then gently poking a needle into the top of the pilot tube. A draft could also cause problems with the propane heater pilot, in which case your best option is to eliminate the source of the draft.

Where is the pilot light on a gas heater?

The pilot light should be close to the gas burner tube, watch it closely. Ignite the flame with a long match while switching the knob to “pilot,” hold it in the position for 35 seconds. Once the pilot comes on, turn the knob back to “on.”

Why is my gas heater shutting down the flame and pilot?

If so, check for low gas pressure. Also, there may be a pilot adjustment valve on your gas valve. There could a fault in the gas valve’s main burner solenoid, causing it to draw excessive power and starving the pilot flame solenoid. If so, replace the entire valve. Gas valve are allowed 30seconds to “fall out”.