When this happens, the pilot also shuts off. 2. This is another relatively small piece of your fireplace that converts heat to electricity, ultimately opening up … The current signals to the valve that it should stay open. Low gas pressure can also hinder the activity of the spark ignitor. Then it turns a blue flame, and slowly disappears until even the pilot light goes out. I have a Lennox gas fireplace the pilot light is lit but the fireplace won't turn on. Keep your fireplace on a single breaker if at all possible. With the pilot off, there are still trace amounts of gas molecules in the burner and pilot tubes of your fireplace. The color of the flame can be an indicator of the gas flow. Unfortunately, there are times where the fireplace just doesn’t work. Hold the pilot button down for about 20 seconds to give the thermocouple time to … 3. When the thermocouple is working properly, you will be able to measure between 30 and 40 millivolts of voltage near the connection portion of the tub with the pilot flame on. 4. Use this guide to learn how to light a gas fireplace using a wall switch, control panel or fireplace key. Once the pilot is lit, hold the pilot valve in for 60 seconds. Like anything else in this work, the thermocouple can wear down over time and stop working. If you’ve checked the breaker and are satisfied, the next place to go is to the electronic ignition check or perhaps a fuse depending on your model of fireplace. Not only will it help you find the issue, but it will help you to become more accustomed to your gas fireplace. Thankfully, there are a few ways to isolate the thermocouple and determine its operational status. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. Ever wondered what to do when the gas fireplace pilot light won’t stay lit? When this is the case, it can reduce the overall reliability of your fireplace as a whole. First and foremost, ensure that there aren’t any potential fuel issues keeping your fireplace from lighting. Pull the match or light away when the burner lights. I never even... Steve Jenkins is an Internet entrepreneur, tech CEO, all-around geek, speaker, consultant, martial arts black belt, PADI rescue diver, obstacle course racer, and self-proclaimed technology Jedi and business samurai who is passionate about anything that has blinking lights, a throttle, a trigger, or a Swiss movement. Gas control button. Pilot light is lit. Most gas fireplaces list a recommended pilot light height you should adhere to. How to Clean your Thermopile and Thermocouple, Home Maintenance Parts You Should Have In Your House Right Now, Oil Change and Filter Parts for 2008 Cadillac Escalade, Installing a Water Pressure Gauge and Hot Water Feed to a Whole House Humidifier, Product Review: Lutron Maestro 600 3-Way Occupancy Sensor Switch, Testing and Replacing a Hot Water Expansion Tank, DIY: Fix a Ferrari Testarossa / 512 TR Hot Start Problem, Review: Honeywell EconoSWITCH Programmable Timer. Gas fireplace flame color is typically designed to burn with red flames, not blue flame, for a more natural look. Hold the gas control button down while you hold the end of a lighted match or lighter at the end of the pilot tube. To find out if you need a new one, turn the gas valve to pilot and then depress the override button. 3. If I leave the pilot on, the pilot is stable and stays lit indefinitely. Should you replace one of those components, turn the breaker off all the way and then back on again before trying it out. If your gas is on but the pilot hasn’t been lit in at least a few months, you will have to purge all of the air out of your pilot tubing. 2. I stumbled across this video today of a server move from a few years ago in 2009. Repair or replace it if necessary. But the thing is that, even though the fuel source is gas, it still uses an electronic ignition to spark the pilot and start the fire in your fireplace. How To Get Charcoal Out Of Carpet (Step-by-Step Guide). I tested the thermostat (I have two of these) and that's not it. For this reason, leaving the pilot light on is the best idea. A short video of fixing another common problem with gas appliances. But then, the pilot cuts out, cutting off the flow of gas to the logs. The pilot flame should look like a small, sharp blue flame, like a small blowtorch. There are times, however, that the vent cap will not only be present but completely secure. A fireplace can be a focal point to any room that it is in. And, of course, the pilot light itself could simply blow out. When I turn it on, it starts up, normal amounts of flame. If you can determine that the igniter isn’t bad, it is more likely that you have a worn-out thermocouple. If the pilot light starts to flicker and looks like it may light but then simply burns out, the thermopile is usually the problem. You may have knocked it out or it’s defective. During changing seasons the need for additional heat is not always predictable; leaving the pilot light on makes for quicker access to comfort. Checking the thermocouple. Start the pilot with your assistant holding the gas control knob in place. This was working not even 2 weeks ago, and to my knowledge, nothing has changed other than the temperature outside has dropped about 20 degrees. A strong draft can blow out the pilot light. Once I light the fireplace, the fireplace will come on and run for about 5-10 minutes then shut off. One of the most common problems when a fireplace is not on a loan breaker is overloaded circuitry. Sometimes it can be as simple as a faulty fireplace vent cap. Gas Burner Doesn’t Light in Fireplace. The pilot light systems are actually the most common reason that gas fireplaces do not light, however. Start the pilot. One of our customers had a standard gas log set on his fireplace. If the power is fine, check the electronic ignition or possibly replace the fuse. The pilot light will Have a Lennox propane gas fireplace. The process is relatively simple and can save you in a jam. Check the service instructions that come with your fireplace. Nine out of ten times, that’s it. If the pilot is lit, and you flip the wall switch and the fireplace does not come on, the most common problem is that the control valve is not turned all the way counter-clockwise to the “On” position. The pilot light systems are actually the most common reason that gas fireplaces do not light, however. When your gas fireplace won’t light, but you have a spark ignitor, there are a few things that you can do to resolve the issue. 3. The good thing about most gas appliances is that they all have shared design features. If your pilot light stays lit, but the fireplace won’t start, then the problem is likely related to your thermopile, a metal probe (round and slightly smaller than your pinky finger) that converts heat from the burning pilot light’s flame into a tiny amount of electricity — just enough to open the gas valve when a switch (such as a wall switch or remote control button) is used. For this reason, leaving the pilot light on is the best idea. Using double-sided tape can... Troubleshooting a Fireplace That Stops Working. Extend the life of the thermopile and your gas fireplace in general by having regular maintenance performed, once a year at least. Light a match or butane candle lighter and hold it near the burner in the fireplace. 1) There's enough gas flow to maintain the pilot light, but after you burn the larger flame a few minutes pressure drops too low to support the larger flame and it goes out. This means that your family will be warm unless the pilot light goes out. A pilot that is too short may allow the pilot to stay lit after ignition, but may not create enough heat to allow the burner to ignite. Check the gas regulator. Check to see if it is located withing the pilot light flame. The entire point of the thermocouple is to keep your pilot lit. Place lead connectors. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. The first place to start when your pilot light is on but you’re still not getting a flame is with your breakers and fuses in a modern home. The pilot light will not stay lit. If the flame lights and only goes out after releasing the gas control knob, however, that’s a prime sign that your thermocouple is malfunctioning. Just one less thing to worry about when it is HOT out. If the pilot repeatedly doesn’t light after multiple tries, then the thermocouple is probably bad. Another issue is that the pilot has gas coming out, but it won’t stay lit. Purging the Pilot Tubing Turn the gas key to release gas to the burner. These components will generally last a couple of years before they burn out and become ineffective; this is entirely due to regular wear and tear most of the time. Hold it down for at least 30 seconds in order for the thermocouple to get warmed up. |, DIY: Gas Fireplace Won’t Light? Hold for 20 seconds. In order to do this, you will need to hold down the pilot button for anywhere from 1 to 3 minutes; doing so allows the air to bleed out. A pilot flame is lit with a manual push button spark ignitor or a handheld lighter while pushing down on the pilot plunger button found on the top of the gas valve. This makes starting the fireplace quick and easy with minimum fuss. While pilot light is a small flame that you can find inside a device. The valve can get turned off and forgotten about quite easily. Test with a multimeter. So, being able to troubleshoot the issue is of the utmost importance. Clear out clogs or blockages. The pilot like should be burning blue and with a relatively sharp flame, like a minature blow torch. If something seems off with the gas fireplace pilot light, shut off the gas source and twist the screw next to the pilot light to either lift or lower its height. Double-sided tape is a tool used around the home for both repair and modification. How Do You Reset the Pilot Light on a Gas Fireplace? Bypassing the ignition. This has been a common concern for people who own a gas fireplaces. This light is always lit. Before doing anything, look at the pilot flame. The thermocouple achieves this thanks to the probe. 1. Always refer to your unit’s manual for specific instructions. Its function is to make sure there is no gas leaks in the case of the electric igniter fails or if the pilot light shuts off. Anything less than a 25 millivolt reading and the thermocouple will require replacing. If the pilot doesn't light, wait a couple minutes and try again. So I suggest you look carefully at the condition of the pilot flame for the likely source of your problem. Always start by checking out the breakers and fuses if you have a modern house. The first issue is that the pilot light will frequently go out and need to be relit. Call your supplier to find out about low gas pressure in the supply. The pilot should start as soon as the flame is close enough. Owners of traditional gas fireplaces don't have to worry about that, though, since the flame comes from a standing pilot. A plugged pilot jet. link to How To Get Charcoal Out Of Carpet (Step-by-Step Guide), link to How To Remove Double-Sided Tape and Residue (Step-by-Step Guide). Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to adjust the pilot if necessary. If done properly, the light should start the instant that the flame is close enough to do so. Because of this, the yellow flame will not adequately heat up the thermocouple, and the gas supply to the pilot light will be shut off. . It’s incredibly versatile and can prove helpful in a wide variety of situations. Turn on the supply line to the gas fireplace. Another thing to try is lighting the pilot light yourself if you don’t see a flame. This. The thing to keep in mind is that the pilot can go out for a lot of reasons that have nothing to do with the thermocouple. Clear debris. Clear away the debris and try it again. The first thing that you should do is to check the main gas valve. The next most likely cause is a poor electrical connection someplace, commonly a wall switch. It has to be heated before the gas … To prevent it from happening again, make sure the vent cap is secure. The pilot light should be approximately the height of the flame on a cigarette lighter. I have another video of replacing a thermocouple. 1. There’s a chance that you can bypass the electronic ignition entirely and perform a manual lighting. Clear out clogs or blockages. The flames normally appear for a few minutes. Flames are not reaching thermocouple and thermopile. Sometimes, the pilot light is lit and the gas is turned on yet the gas burner fails to light up. Many of these valves have an adjustment screw to adjust the pilot flame. That would be a pilot tube obstruction in most cases. Trust me. There are also issues with insects and spiders that lay their nests inside of the pilot tubing, particularly in rural areas. The thing about gas fireplaces is that they rarely offer a flashing sign that says what the problem is. Check for any potential debris that can potentially get between the thermocouple and the igniter. When the pilot doesn’t light at all, it likely is not the thermocouple that is at fault. 3. Usually, you can find this light on older models of propane appliances. He enjoys listening to others' opinions before politely pointing out that they're completely wrong. Using a multimeter, you can check this for yourself but may need to have a helper to keep the pilot burning as you do so. Should you notice that there is gas coming out of the pilot but still can’t get it to light, the igniter is most likely the problem. Another potential issue that can keep your gas fireplace from staying lit is that the thermopile may have gone bad. If it has a yellow-orange tint to it and looks small, it might be too weak to properly heat the thermocouple. #gasfireplacerepair #fireplacepilotlight #pilotlightwontstaylitWe show how to easily fix a gas fireplace pilot light to stay lit. If a cold draft blows the pilot out on a regular basis, relight the pilot and check out the vent cap. A draft stopper may be necessary to prevent that draft from blowing out the pilot light. 2. Achieving a toasty fire is as easy as knowing how to light a gas fireplace. Obviously there is gas to the pilot light but (I guess) not to the main burner. The thermocouple, for instance, will have a probe that is attached to a copper tube. If the pilot light remains lit, but the gas fireplace doesn’t, it likely indicates an issue with your thermopile. Igniting with a Fireplace Key Look over the user manual included with your fireplace. Try lighting the pilot. Either issue will prevent the fireplace from remaining lit. This happens because yellow flames do not burn as hot as blue flames. 2. Gas fireplace won’t stay lit, but the pilot light does. Unscrew the thermocouple from the gas valve and then set your multimeter to register millivolts. Check the pilot. Check for debris. Make sure to hold down the pilot button for 20 seconds or so before releasing it to give the thermocouple the appropriate amount of time to heat up. If the gas fireplace still refuses to light or stay lit, the wiring or thermopile may be damaged. If the pilot light is out, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for re-lighting it. Doing so will ensure that the breaker won’t trip and that you won’t blow a fuse, either. In most cases, you’ll be lighting the pilot light once a year. All of these screws into a designated port on your gas valve. 3. If the vent free gas logs or vented gas logs still will not ignite, the most likely culprit is a dirty pilot light, or a pilot light that is not lit. There are also issues with insects and spiders that lay their nests inside of the pilot tubing, particularly in rural areas. Thermocouple, Thermopile, and Wiring: The thermocouple is a metal probe that controls the gas valve, sensing the temperature and generating electricity to ignite the gas if necessary. Sitting around a fireplace during the chilly weather is cozy but it is not so cozy when some of that charcoal gets onto your carpet. Or during the summer when you are barbequing, you may have tracked... How To Remove Double-Sided Tape and Residue (Step-by-Step Guide). One of those instances is where the pilot light is on but still won’t light. With the pilot light continuously on flame is instantly available at the owner's convenience. No heat is being generated by the pilot so the glass door on your fireplace will not be warm to the touch. Something about a light switch being less than ideal for this application, and corrosion or something,...it probably can't hurt to try. Flame-Lit Pilot Light. If it continues to extinguish the flame, replace the vent cap; if you don’t have one, call in a service technician to perform the installation. It could be as simple as an issue with the gas regulator that is located at the tank or perhaps a stuck valve. To light a gas pilot, the button on the combination gas valve must be pushed down which allows gas to enter the pilot tube and exit through the pilot termination head. 1. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. You would be surprised at just how often this is the culprit for a gas fireplace failing to start. When the thermocouple does wear down and finally stop working, the pilot can’t remain lit and your fireplace won’t work as it should. After a minute or so, place a lead on the connector and the other lead on the shaft of the thermocouple. Unscrew the thermocouple. 1. If it has a pilot light then it has a thermocoupler. For those uninitiated with gas fireplaces, it may sound confusing to hear that there are electronic components within. 3. 2. There is nothing quite like setting the mood and getting things toasty warm by the fire in the dead of winter. Because this is a real flame, will not effect like that of electric fireplaces. Some but not all of the gas fireplaces out there will come with an electronic ignition. 1. The most common reason why a pilot light system in a gas fireplace quits working is that the pilot light is dirty and needs to be disassembled and cleaned. A battery backup kicks in if the power goes out to make sure it works. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Every fireplace … The probe has two different metals to it and the voltage gets generated when one of them is heated. With the gas on, push in and hold the pilot valve while igniting the pilot light. Check the main gas valve. The way that this is done is through a tiny electric current that gets sent to a sensor on the gas valve. A gas fireplace flame color is yellow or red flames and is the exception to the rule. Basic troubleshooting will lead you to the answer 9 times out of 10, allowing you to solve the problem or at least point the service technician in the right direction. If you have successfully re-lit your pilot light, ensured that the orifice is clean, and the fireplace still refuses to ignite, there could be an issue with the thermopile, thermocouple or wiring. Thermocouplers are safety devices that prevent gas valves from operating if there isn’t an ignition source. When in doubt, check out your owner’s manual for specific instructions on lighting the electric ignition through a battery pack if yours has that function. You can adjust the flame height by turning the gas … I have a new construction home with a gas fireplace (Copreci VCS-ECOMOD) that won't stay on when lit. Unfortunately, when the thermopile goes bad, that’s a repair that has to be performed by a professional service. Examine the gas line for any bends. Sometimes gas fireplace won’t stay lit because it is not receiving sufficient gas to keep the flame going. Its a Copreci VCS-ECOMOD. Straighten the line if necessary. Wood logs do not burn with a blue flame colour, so a gas fireplace needs yellow or … More often than not, the pilot light can simply be reset in order to get your gas fireplace working properly once again. The burner is placed below the thermocouple and pilot. First, hold down the gas control button while also holding the end of your lighter or lit match towards the end of the pilot tube. 1. And the most common reason why a gas fireplace wont light when the switch is turned on is a dirty pilot burner. Two different metals to it and the gas is turned on yet the gas flow lit is that the repeatedly. 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