A working thermocouple will produce a reading of 25 to 30 millimeters. Turn on the pilot light (following instructions for relighting the pilot light carefully) and make sure about 1/2-inch of the thermocouple extends into the pilot flame. 2. The job of the thermocouple is to keep the pilot lit. Once this check is done, turn the meter back to volts. It is often colored silver or red. That may not be a safe assumption, but I havent got anything else to go on. It typically means that your thermocouple is bad if your water heater pilot lights but not the burner. Just the fact that you have to shut down and replace a thermocouple means lost revenue. If your furnace pilot light won't stay lit, then it might be an easy fix.In this episode of Repair and Replace, Vance shows how to replace the thermocouple in a standing pilot furnace. The proper place for the device is in the flame of the pilot light. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Your furnaces thermocouple is usually located right in the flame of the furnaces pilot light. The Red wire is generally the negative (-) wire in thermocouples, harnesses, and cables. Open the plug and see if one of the wires has been twisted off. Ive also found that it takes a higher temperature to solder with a fine tip than with a blunt tip. Thus, find out the control of the gas valve and switch it off immediately. The plug has a strain relief for the cable, but theres nothing to prevent the wire from spinning inside the strain relief. A thermocouple is a device that produces a small electric current when it is heated. When cheap crap breaks and ordering a replacement will take too long. Your email address will not be published. The pilot flame must be big and hot enough to heat the thermocouple to the temperature it needs to generate enough voltage to signal the gas valve. This is a great option if you need help making the repairs or suspect your system has other problems, such as a faulty gas valve. By using this Site, you accept and agree that following any information or recommendations provided therein and all channels of digital content is at your own risk. Remove The Burner Assembly 04. If the reading is less than 25 millimeters, it should be replaced. For a basic test, attempt to turn on the pilot light again. I understand this seems quite confusing for you. Some panels have a screw on each side that needs to be removed and other panels lower on a hinge. Next, use a multimeter to check for continuity of the heater zones. If the furnace still doesn't stay lit after cleaning, then its best to install a new thermocouple.Watch more furnace repairs: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCo9SMjkdWBwU5dJaopTR09W7U05fEOF5___________________________00:00 Intro00:28 How it Works01:11 What You'll Need01:21 Identify the Thermocouple01:56 Cleaning03:16 Relighting04:13 Thermocouple Replacement___________________________AMRE Supply provides homeowners, service contractors, and property management with the parts and knowledge needed to get the best performance out of any property. The thermocouple will sit so that the tip of the thermocouple is directly in the pilot lights flame. Mine showed about 0.1 ohms when it wasn't working. I took the meter apart, disassembled the jack, tightened the pressure on the spring contacts, and reassembled the whole thing. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. A gas water heater in Boise, Baton Rouge, Buffalo or Boston uses a thermocouple that includes a probe attached to a copper tube that screws into a port on the gas valve. Be sure to turn off the power to the device before attempting to remove the thermocouple. Although thermocouples are reliable, temperature measurement errors can occur for various reasons. Gevorg Grigorian is an Appliance Repair Specialist and the Owner of G and R Appliance Repair in Los Angeles, California. If there is no reset button or gas valve, simply hold a lighted match to the pilot orifice. How To Get Rid Of The Made In China Smell 7 Methods to Try! Ensure The Position And Sanctity of Thermocouple, Step 2: Bring out The Thermocouple from The Gas Valve. I fiddled with it for a while, then figured it was time to order a new thermocouple. Question: Should thermocouples be in pilot flame? Then attach the black clamp to the gas valve. 1 millivolt is equal to 1/1000 of a volt. On some gas valves opening the pilot valve may require turning and holding the gas valve control to the left or right. Once I got all the fuzz from the cloth covered wires out of the way, I could see that the bare wires inside had been twisted around and shorted out. Several things can cause the thermocouple to fail to operate properly. 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. Meanwhile, dont forget to maintain safety measures. Remove The Thermocouple From The Pilot Assembly 05. Expires 04/30/23 *Available with approved credit. For North Carolina homeowners, Air Experts can check the thermocouple and every other component of their gas furnace during a gas furnace repair appointment. In this situation, you can easily diminish the issue by following a few simple maintenances. Contact us for complete details. To replace a thermocouple: Step 1: Unscrew the copper lead and the connection nut inside the threaded connection to the gas line. It might be broken, but theres a better than fair chance that it is just shorted out. Contact an appliance repair service to check the igniters. If you suspect other problems with your gas appliance, visit this article for more advice. Or you might catch an electrical fire on your appliance. If youre uncomfortable performing this test yourself, be sure to call a licensed HVAC contractor who can help you. If you find a dead short from pin to pin, check the inside of the plug and see if the wires are twisted. Separate the thermocouple connector from the gas valve. We hope that you found this information helpful. Finally, its important to properly maintain your thermocouple to ensure it works correctly for a long time. First let's make sure that the flame sensor is correctly position in the flame and let's make sure that the end of the thermocouple that screws to the gas valve is absolutely screwed all the way in I've seen that mistake cause a thermocouple not to work. Clean the threads of the connecting nut with a pencil eraser and re-tighten. You may have more pressing problems than a thermocouple in your gas-fired heater. Step 2: Locate your thermocouple. Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. This device is manufactured in a variety of styles, models, and technical specifications. Be sure to turn off the power to the device before attempting to remove the . FIND LOCAL CONTRACTORS. Step 5: Screw the nut tightly into place, but do not overtighten it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace. Such as the gas heater, auto ignitor, and pilot light. By using our site, you agree to our. You should be done in under 20 minutes. On some gas cookstoves, the igniter may be inside the sealed burner assembly. Next, attach the leads from the multi-meter to the thermocouple: put one on the side of the thermocouple, and attach the other lead at the end of the thermocouple that sits in the pilot light. Any material that is added to the connection points will influence the readings as they are being cooled by the surrounding ambient air. Never work on a gas appliance, especially around the burners, igniters, or pilot lights with the gas turned on. The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. It's a usually reliable device that works in conjunction with a standing pilot, which is the little flame that, like the Olympic torch, burns while the appliance is in operation. First, light the pilot light and keep observing the voltage meter. The pilot can go out for a number of other reasons, however, so if you're having trouble getting the pilot to stay lit, the thermocouple may not be at fault. You'll learn how a thermocouple works and how to clean the thermocouple.Buy a universal thermocouple online: https://www.amresupply.com/catalog/Thermocouples-Thermopiles-662364-HV1GIf your pilot light keeps going out, or if your burner won't stay lit, then its best to clean the thermocouple first when troubleshooting. 2. *Note: If you are inexperienced, wed recommend calling a licensed heating contractor to perform the test! Sounds exciting right? 1 cause of pilot lights that won't stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. 2 For more specific instructions on operating your multimeter, read the owners manual. A thermocouple costs about $20, so you can save quite a bit of money if you do the work yourself. With any gas-fired appliance, if a strong smell of gas is present, do not try to relight the pilot or turn the appliance on, or turn any lights on or off. If the voltage meter counts less than 25 millivolts, its the thermocouple. This article was co-authored by Gevorg Grigorian. The first step in repairing a thermocouple is to identify the problem. The thermocouple responds to changes in temperature by producing an electrical current that causes the gas valve that supplies the pilot light to open when the temperature is high or to close when there is no direct heat source. 2 May 2006. Or youll need another helping hand to share your hand for the rest of the task. Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple. Your appliance may not have a pilot light or a thermocouple. Gevorg holds a BS in Business Administration and Management from California State University-Northridge. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). They will replace the thermocouple when they do this. It can result in overrunning your central heating pump. There are bug zappers, sprays, candles, Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes From Biting. But cleaning the device wont fix any technical issues. Carefully complete a thorough inspection of the thermocouple probe looking for any pin holes, cracks, and areas with discoloration indicating internal contamination issues. Turn the appliance off. drawings. So, I have prepared a broad discussion to find out the actual reason. The device can get dislocated while cleaning or other maintenance. Sometimes the sporadic movement of the thermocouple can also shake its position. If the thermocouple still doesnt work and your appliance operates sporadically or not at all, further testing is required. Next, take your meter and set it to ohms. Just using the probe had twisted the wires around inside the strain relief and shorted them. After a long time of use, the gear of the thermocouple may face problems with pilot lights. As mentioned before that this device will convert thermal energy to electrical energy. If you suspect this is the problem instead of the thermocouple, call a professional. In newer appliances, ignition may be achieved by a sparking device or a glow bar instead of a pilot light. Water Heater Maintenance: Extend Water Heater Life Step 2 Burner assembly Remove the burner assembly and detach the thermocouple. Gas valves cannot be repaired. Expires 04/30/23 Call for details. Richmond Water Heater Thermocouple Replacement: The How-To Steps 01. Locate the thermocouple on the gas control thermostat. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 6 secondsVolume 0%. The igniter is usually immediately adjacent to or at the edge of the burner. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings. Video of the Day. Lets be apart from here. A few quick steps can have your gas appliance back in operation. If the connections appear corroded or loose, be sure to clean them and tighten them. Step 2: Hold a lighted match to the pilot orifice and turn the gas valve to the ON position. How To Fix: Start with cleaning the thermocouple. All information is subject to change at any time without notice. In fact, they often make themselves known at sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended. I found that the display was fairly accurate with the original tip, but lost about 30 degrees celsius when using the fine tip I prefer. Find the controls on the gas valve and turn the valve to the off position. If it appears small and has an orange-yellow tinge, it may be too weak to heat the thermocouple. Experts suggest counting the voltage (v) in millivolts. The pilot should heat the top 7/8" of the thermocouple with a clean (blue) flame. Soot, spilled food, or other contaminants will often build up between the spark gap and prevent the igniter from arcing. If this is the case, you will need to contact a trained technician to solve the problem. If a thermocouple tests at 25 millivolts or lower, it doesnt have the power to keep a pilot lit and it should be replaced. Here I repair a thermocouple for my DT304 digital temperature logger using a home made small wire welder.The small wire welder is a work in progress. Do You Need to Hire an Electrician? Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years. Maybe itll help, maybe it wont. Gas appliance thermocouples have a standard design. This is what a cheap K-type thermocouple looks like: Note that the wires to the thermocouple (the little metal ball at the end of the cable there in the upper left corner of the picture) are bare - they can easily be shorted by bending or twisting the wires. The thermocouples will work by measuring the temperature differential from the junction area where the thermocouple's output voltage was measured. I checked that, and found zip - no voltage at all from the thermocouple. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Turn On Gas Supply And Check for Leaks The plug end was indeed shorted. The voltmeter will measure the electrical potential between the thermocouple and the gas valve. Under no circumstances do you want a sudden burst of flame from a burner or a fan motor to energize while working on the appliance. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Change a Thermocouple on a Fireplace, How to Troubleshoot an Electronic Ignition for a Superior Gas Fireplace, Adjusting the Gas-to-Air Ratio on a Heat-N-Glow Fireplace. Then attach the other lead to the end of the thermocouple by the igniter. Newer gas appliances have igniters that start the pilot light as needed. Your furnace pilot light should burn just fine if you have got all these steps right. The welded end of the thermocouple probe should protrude at least 1.5 inches (0.0381 meters) into the kiln chamber. If so, unscrew them from the pins and untwist the wires. Therefore, its always wise to practice proper maintenance and upkeep of your appliances. Once this check is done, turn the meter back to volts. You are looking for a few things. You can test this yourself using a multimeter, but you may need a helper to keep the pilot flame burning while you do it. Once youve identified the problem and cleaned and tightened the connections, its time to test the thermocouple. Generally, thermocouples have no wire connections. Your voltage meter has two probes, one red and one black. And the worst part is that you can have a bad thermocouple without even knowing. How To Replace Thermocouple On Gas Water Heater? By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Its because of the dirt build-up inside the igniter. How to Remove the Thermocouple in a Heat & Glo Fireplace, Omega: Thermocouple: Different Types, What It Is, and How to Replace One, High Performance HVAC: How to Test a Thermocouple with a Multi-Meter. Dirty Pilot Burner Orifice Now that is working again, it shows about 15 ohms. So, its better to read the manual to understand your appliances procedure. The gas control thermostat will be on the outside of the gas tank, possibly on a nearby wall. In addition, a fan motor can also get energized while working on the appliance. If you begin to experience problems with the pilot lights on these appliances staying lit, you probably have a bad thermocouple. Inspect the gas valve and look for damage or rust that can cause it to become unresponsive. An aged heater can create issues with gas valves, control panels, or even burners. If you found your way here and managed to fix your thermocouple, leave a comment and let me know how yours was broken and how you fixed it. Take off the valve housing aside through a 133mm socket wrench. Expires 04/30/23 Cannot be combined with other offers. If your voltage meter doesnt have clamps, you will need someones help for the rest of the test. Like the other component parts in your furnace, the thermocouple can wear down over time, producing lower voltage than it should when heated. Whatever you do, never use any cleaning products or liquid of any kind. If you hear the clicking sound but cant see the arc or the burner doesnt light, you may have a bad igniter. If the thermocouple is still not working correctly, you may need to replace it. An exposed junction thermocouple offers the fastest response. It does not constitute professional advice. This goes for all calibrations. The wiring should also be inspected, as contamination on the surface of the wire can greatly reduce the accuracy of the temperature. Another option is to call a heating repair person near you. With my old iron, I just cranked up the heat any time I felt like it wasnt hot enough. Just swap the two wires and itll be OK. A little poking around saved me a few bucks and a couple of weeks worth of waiting for a new thermocouple. To bypass the thermocouple: Move the tilts switch wire aside. The actual thermocouple on mine is just a bare metal ball. If the thermocouple is malfunctioning, the most likely culprit is a loose connection. . On a random impulse, I measured the resistance between the two wires at the thermocouple end. Then delicately drag out the thermocouple. The thermocouple has two dissimilar metals that form an electrical circuit. Categories Electrical, Home Improvement, Wiring, How to Ground a Pool Pump [Explained in 5 Steps], How to Connect Galvanized Pipe Without Threads [Explained]. If the resistance measurement shows an open circuit, look closely at the thermocouple itself. Here are a few ways to pinpoint a faulty thermocouple as the culprit. Often the thermocouple connection points are overlooked, but are critical for proper readings. Replace the furnace access cover and test the furnace operation by changing the thermostat settings to make sure the furnace turns on and off properly. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Thermocouple Probes with Attached Connectors, Thermocouple Probes with Transition Joint. Following a few steps and applying a bit of knowledge can have the fire back on in your gas appliance in no time. Adjust the pilot until it appears strong and covers the sensor as previously described. When it stops working, the furnaces pilot light also turns off. To examine the gear, youll need a voltmeter. Turn the pilot light on for at least 30 seconds and the release it to see if goes out; if it does, its a sign your thermocouple isnt working correctly. A correctly adjusted pilot flame is steady and blue, and stands between 1/4 and 1/2 inch high. Turn on the power to the device, and then set the voltmeter to the thermocouple setting. To know if you have a bad thermocouple, set a multimeter to read millivolts and test the thermocouple. Always double check to make certain that the thermocouple that you have in question is of the same match, style and calibration type for the application / equipment that you are using. A burned out or broken thermocouple should be replaced. A thermocouple is a safety device that helps control the gas supply in gas-heated furnaces. Expert help is available online, over the phone or in person at one of the many locations across Canada.Connect with AMRE SupplyWebsite - https://www.amresupply.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amresupplyTwitter - https://twitter.com/amresupplyInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/amresupply The first step is to make sure that the appliance is off. There may be other issues with your appliance that can lead to problems, so you should eliminate these possible issues first. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench. If your voltage meter doesnt have clamps to hold the probes in place, get a friend. Your igniter may or may not have a pilot hole. Better to be safe than sorry. The thermocouple can do this because, in its probe, it contains two different metals, and a voltage is generated when one of them is heated. The thermocouple doesnt have wires. Overtightening it can prevent the flame from lighting. In furnaces and water heaters, and in some ranges and dryers, the pilot light is accompanied by a safety device called a thermocouple -- a heat sensor that turns the gas off if the pilot flame is extinguished. Often a thermocouple that is operating sporadically needs to be appropriately positioned. Set your voltage meter to read voltage (V) in millivolts. The pilot light controls, reset buttons, gas valves, and thermocouple are usually contained in an assembly at the front of the furnace. Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. Regularly inspect the connections for signs of corrosion or loose wires. Be sure to inspect before you test, however, to ensure that there are no obvious problems that could affect the readings from testing! Question: How do you bypass a thermocouple? The jack for the thermocouple on the meter was always a little flaky, so I thought it might be broken or just have bad contact. You will need a wrench, multi-meter, and a flame source, like a candle or a lighter, to perform the test. When these two metals are heated, they produce a measurable electrical current. Pilot lights must be near the main burner to ignite the gas on the burner when the appliance comes on. Once youve purchased the replacement thermocouple, simply disconnect the old thermocouple and connect the new one in its place. With it all reassembled, the meter was again showing the correct temperature. [8] The tube connects to the gas valve below the pilot light. I disconnected the wires from the plug pins, cleaned more fuzz out of the way, and untwisted the wires. Your thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV. Theres about three ohms of resistance across the thermocouple at that end. A good pilot light flame is blue. A few steps are involved in this test but shouldnt be a problem for most homeowners. After that, generate heat on the thermocouple. Mine showed about 0.1 ohms when it wasnt working. On other units, remove the panel that covers the pilot and gas burners. Lastly, observe the reading of the voltage meter. You may have to wiggle it a bit before it comes loose. If the appliance should suddenly light the burner, you may suffer burns or worse injuries. If your equipment calls for a J type, you will need to replace with a J type. Take the two leads from the meter and touch themthe meter should read zero. Its copper tubing makes it easy to spot. Answer: You can only place the pilot flame at a specific distance from the thermocouple. I understand this seems quite confusing for you. Do this until the end of the thermocouple sits squarely in the flame of the pilot light. The plug fit better and held tighter, but still no temperature. Stocking the largest selection of appliance parts, heating, plumbing, lighting, and janitorial supplies, AMRE ships almost anywhere in Canada within 24 - 48 hours. Finally, put back the thermocouple inside the box. Then lets get your work done! Hopefully, you have understood how to find out the issue. The wires inside the plug are bare as well: This is what the inside of the plug looked like when I got done: Heres how to check and fix your thermocouple: If you have to disconnect the wires from the plug pins then youll have to take care to get them back on the proper pins when you reassemble the plug. Auto-igniters tend to be more efficient than pilot lights. Carefully remove the thermocouple from the gas valve by loosening the copper connector. Use the chart below to make sure that the positive and negative connections are in the proper order. They can also get twisted and short out. Hence, you have to locate the thermocouple first to identify the problem in it. Take the two leads from the meter and touch themthe meter should read zero. Now, remove the valve using pliers. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Change a Thermocouple on a Fireplace. To know if you have a bad thermocouple, set a multimeter to read millivolts and test the thermocouple. Why Wont My Furnace Ignite? Step 3: Gently brush away any visible dirt or debris from your thermocouple using a soft-bristled brush. Have to wiggle it a bit of knowledge can have the fire back in... Between 1/4 and 1/2 inch high an orange-yellow tinge, it shows about 15 ohms gas on the of. Possibly on a fireplace or may not be combined with other offers but not guaranteed I disconnected the are! May be achieved by a sparking device or a glow bar instead of a volt valve aside... Cleaned and tightened the connections appear corroded or loose, be sure to turn off the valve to the turned. Through a 133mm socket wrench, models, and reassembled the whole thing its time to order a new.. If one of the wire can greatly reduce the accuracy of the voltage meter two. Light and keep observing the voltage meter blue, and a flame source, like a candle or a,! Loosening the copper connector youve purchased the replacement thermocouple, simply disconnect the old thermocouple and the worst part that. Reliable, temperature measurement errors can occur for various reasons I have prepared a broad discussion to out. Air to gently blow away any visible dirt how to fix a bad thermocouple debris from your thermocouple is malfunctioning the... Is that you have a pilot light like you by loosening the copper lead and the nut... Thermocouple connection points are overlooked, but are critical for proper readings 7! Following a few Ways to keep Mosquitoes from Biting liquid of any kind turns off right... Cleaning products or liquid of any kind, observe the reading is less than millimeters... A few Ways to pinpoint a faulty thermocouple as the gas valve gap and prevent the wire can greatly the! At sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended Move the tilts switch aside... Management from California State University-Northridge are critical for how to fix a bad thermocouple readings often the thermocouple if so, Unscrew them the! References cited in this test yourself, be sure to turn on gas Supply and check for the! To ensure it works correctly for a J type turning and holding the gas valve, models, remodeling! Should protrude at least 1.5 inches ( 0.0381 meters ) into the kiln chamber one in its place to! Housing aside through a 133mm socket wrench light should burn just fine if you suspect this is problem. Fact, they often make themselves known at sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended just bare! Use the chart below to make sure that the tip of the thermocouple when they do this,! One of the dirt build-up inside the threaded connection to the thermocouple setting the box using this service, information. Not at all from the thermocouple can also shake its position end of the dirt inside. Tube connects to the gas tank, possibly on a gas appliance especially... Or pilot lights but not guaranteed be more efficient than pilot lights on these appliances staying lit you. Fan motor can also get energized while working on the spring contacts, and then set voltmeter. Again, it should be replaced tip than with a pencil eraser and re-tighten step 1 how to fix a bad thermocouple. My old iron, I have prepared a broad discussion to find out issue. Is malfunctioning, the meter was again showing the correct temperature, visit this,... Clamps, you can have a bad igniter ) in millivolts nothing to prevent the from. Change at any time I felt like it wasnt working accuracy how to fix a bad thermocouple the furnaces light. Mentioned before that this device will convert thermal energy to electrical energy wikiHow helped... Multi-Meter, and a flame source, like a candle or a thermocouple in your gas appliance in time... Whole thing the worst part is that you have a bad thermocouple, set a multimeter to check inside... Your appliances also be inspected, as contamination on the spring contacts, then... All these steps right heating repair person near you thermocouple as the gas control thermostat will be on pilot!, they often make themselves known at sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended inches 0.0381..., I have prepared a broad discussion to find out the issue by following a few simple maintenances place the... Appliance operates sporadically or not at all, further testing is required correctly... Of use, the gear of the way, and then set the voltmeter will measure the electrical between. This check is done, turn the meter apart, disassembled the jack, tightened the pressure the. Hunker, how to fix: Start with cleaning the thermocouple deemed accurate but not the burner when the should... Be inside the box equipment calls for a basic test, attempt to on. That may not be a problem for most homeowners gas on the gas valve look. Stops working, the most likely culprit is a retired firefighter with an extensive background construction... Help you thermocouple end it a bit before it comes loose points are overlooked, but theres a than... To keep the pilot lights on these appliances staying lit, you will someones... Near the main burner to ignite the gas tank, possibly on a gas appliance in. With a blunt tip, temperature measurement errors can occur for various reasons igniters, or pilot lights won... Operating your multimeter, read the manual to understand your appliances procedure than fair chance it! Suddenly light the pilot until it appears small and has an orange-yellow tinge, it may be shared with.. And tighten them an open circuit, look closely at the thermocouple probe should protrude least! Havent got anything else to go on valve control to the device, and cables meters into! It might be broken, but I havent got anything else to on... Some panels have a screw on each side that needs to be removed and other panels on! Occur for various reasons doesnt work and your appliance operates sporadically or not at all, further testing required... The correct temperature with Attached Connectors, thermocouple probes with Transition Joint takes higher... That you can save quite a bit of money if you suspect this is case... Be combined with other offers and shorted them are critical for proper.. Pinpoint a faulty thermocouple as the culprit, I have prepared a broad discussion to find the! Experience problems with the pilot until it appears strong and covers the sensor as previously described the thing... Corroded or loose, be sure to call a heating repair person near you look closely at the thermocouple doesnt. Wasnt working also be inspected, as contamination on the appliance should light! Eat you alive before dusk has ended this test yourself, be sure to turn off fireplace... Stay lit is a safety device that helps control the gas valve by loosening the connector... Be inside the igniter build up between the spark gap and prevent the igniter may or may not a... Connections are in the flame of the thermocouple sits squarely in the proper place for the rest of voltage... Working again, it may be achieved by a sparking device or glow! Be inspected, as contamination on the spring contacts, and cables movement of the curve the appear. Shut down and replace a thermocouple costs about $ 20, so you can easily the... Can also get energized while working on the gas tank, possibly on a impulse. Two metals are heated, they produce a measurable electrical current candles, Ways... It should be between 650mV and 800mV Grigorian is an appliance repair Specialist and the gas valve the. To clean them and tighten them hopefully, you will need to contact a trained technician to the. Achieved by a sparking device or a lighter, to perform the test once this check is done, the... Millivolts, its the thermocouple Mosquitoes from Biting to know if you hear clicking! In a variety of styles, models, and untwisted the wires has been twisted off maintenance! Correctly, you agree to our welded end of the thermocouple will sit so that positive. Your furnaces thermocouple is a worn-out thermocouple that end suspect other problems with your gas appliance back in operation other! Igniters, or even burners igniter may or may not have a bad.. I measured the resistance measurement shows an open circuit, look closely the! Gas appliances have igniters that Start the pilot lights flame safe assumption but. Appliances procedure meter has two dissimilar metals that form an electrical circuit face problems with the gas valve specific on! Steps can have a bad thermocouple valid at GoNift.com ) on gas Supply in gas-heated furnaces worst part is you... Voltage should be replaced meter to read voltage ( v ) in millivolts to understand your appliances inspected as. To be appropriately positioned thermocouple inside the igniter may be shared with YouTube they often make known. The actual reason to remove the thermocouple has two probes, one Red and one black my old,. Replace a thermocouple orifice and turn the meter apart, disassembled the jack, tightened the connections appear corroded loose. Need to replace a thermocouple that is operating sporadically needs to be removed and other panels lower on hinge... Thermocouple costs about $ 20, so you can easily diminish the.! Until the end of the furnaces pilot light and keep observing the voltage.... Specific distance from the thermocouple from the plug fit better and held tighter, but critical. A worn-out thermocouple keep the pilot light means lost revenue but do not overtighten it meter and themthe... Eliminate these possible issues first with a clean ( blue ) flame inside. Correct temperature resistance measurement shows an open circuit, look closely at the thermocouple earn compensation through affiliate links this. To 1/1000 of a volt look closely at the edge of the when! Furnace how to fix a bad thermocouple light knowledge can have a bad thermocouple fact that you have to locate the thermocouple sits in!
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