Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Pilot light
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12-21-01, 04:21 AM
My Carrier pilot light keeps going out. I replaced the thermocouple 14 months ago when it wouldn't statup at the beginning of the cold season. This year it was fine until 4 days ago. I would inspect the furness because it was just blowing air, no heated air. The pilot loght was off. So I went through the drill and the pilot light would stay on, turned the system back on, and wala! HEAT! But later on that night it would get chilly, so I'd check and no pilot light. So I thought something was wrong with the TC and I replaced it, cleaning out the burners and the firebox. The pilot light would work and the burners would ignite and all seemed well for awhile. BUT--ya' guessed it---no pilot light again. Before I phone for a service call, any suggestions?
Sharp Advice
12-21-01, 10:55 AM
Hello Handy Bill and Welcome to the Heating and Cooling Appliance forum and our Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
Since you already replaced the thermocouple and the furnace continues to have roughly the same problem, be sure the pilot flame is all blue, burning HOT, touching and encircling only the tip of the thermcouple.
There must not be any yellow in the pilot flame. Yellow indicates the air hole in the pilot assembly is restricted with dust. If there is any yellow in the pilots flame, locate the intake air hole and clear or blow any dust or debris out.
Other possible causes:
Assuming the firebox {Heat Exchanger} isn't cracked and or the flames aren't smothering, etc.
Defective Gas Valve Solenoid:
The gas valves solenoid is internal.
Take the entire gas valve unit to your local appliance parts store and have the entire assembly and parts tested.
Defective Gas Valve:
Remove entire unit as an assembly. Take the entire assembly to your local appliance parts store for testing. Gas valves are not repairable. Replacement is the only option if defective.
CAUTION: Do Not attempt to repair the gas valve!
This is a non repairable item!
The Do-It-Yourself person can do some electrical tests and continuity tests on several electrical parts. However, I do not recommend relying solely on either test to determine if any electrical or electronic part or parts are causing the problem. The idea is not to replace costly parts until the defective one is found.
The only positive proof any part is functioning correctly, is to carefully remove the part or parts you suspect to be the potential problems, and have the local appliance parts store person test it or check it. Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair proceedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
Check the ARCHIVES, within this forum, for other postings on this topic and the replies offered.
Regards & Good Luck
Tom_Bart....TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises
Fast.....Fair.....Friendly & Highly Efficient.....:D
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
Since you already replaced the thermocouple and the furnace continues to have roughly the same problem, be sure the pilot flame is all blue, burning HOT, touching and encircling only the tip of the thermcouple.
There must not be any yellow in the pilot flame. Yellow indicates the air hole in the pilot assembly is restricted with dust. If there is any yellow in the pilots flame, locate the intake air hole and clear or blow any dust or debris out.
Other possible causes:
Assuming the firebox {Heat Exchanger} isn't cracked and or the flames aren't smothering, etc.
Defective Gas Valve Solenoid:
The gas valves solenoid is internal.
Take the entire gas valve unit to your local appliance parts store and have the entire assembly and parts tested.
Defective Gas Valve:
Remove entire unit as an assembly. Take the entire assembly to your local appliance parts store for testing. Gas valves are not repairable. Replacement is the only option if defective.
CAUTION: Do Not attempt to repair the gas valve!
This is a non repairable item!
The Do-It-Yourself person can do some electrical tests and continuity tests on several electrical parts. However, I do not recommend relying solely on either test to determine if any electrical or electronic part or parts are causing the problem. The idea is not to replace costly parts until the defective one is found.
The only positive proof any part is functioning correctly, is to carefully remove the part or parts you suspect to be the potential problems, and have the local appliance parts store person test it or check it. Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair proceedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
Check the ARCHIVES, within this forum, for other postings on this topic and the replies offered.
Regards & Good Luck
Tom_Bart....TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises
Fast.....Fair.....Friendly & Highly Efficient.....:D
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.