Help troubleshooting a 40gal. Whirlpool water heater

[TornadoHelmet]

I have a 2002 40gal. whirlpool water heater. I've replaced the thermocup 3 months ago because that was the problem. Yesterday, no hot water! Thinking it was the thermocup again i replaced it again, but it still doesn't work.

I need help troubleshooting this one.

Thanks, TH

[Just Bill]

Please explain further, does the pilot go out?? Or just no temp control?? If the pilot goes out, could be poor alignment of the flame to the thermocouple, a down draft blowing out the pilot, etc. So it is not necessarily the thermocouple.

[594tough]

If your water heater is made after July of 2003, there are some potential issues involving that thermocouple and other aspects of that WH. See class action suit:
http://www.waterheatersettlement.com/


All water heaters of the new "FVIR" type are sensitive to proper combustion air supply, etc.

[jim-connor]

It's a low end heater that's about 6 years old. It's not worth spending more than a few dollars on it.
Please be more descriptive about your problem. If it can easily be fixed someone here will tell you how.

[TornadoHelmet]

Sorry if i slack on terms and details. I can see the pilot light lit but it's just night igniting and no i had no water leaks.

Has 594tough or anyone followed up with what he has sent me about: See class action suit:
http://www.waterheatersettlement.com/

Thanks for all the input so far.

TH

[594tough]

Can you light the pilot by sticking a match in through the door at the bottom? If so, your unit it a little older. The FVIR ( subject of suit) has a sealed chamber, and the pilot is lit with the push-button sparker.

[jim-connor]

So the pilot is burning and won't kick on the main burner? Be sure the knob on top of the control is set to "on" and turn up the temperature control. If this doesn't work you likely have a bad gas control valve.