Clear away the debris and try it again. 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. 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. Igniting with a Fireplace Key Look over the user manual included with your fireplace. 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 valve can get turned off and forgotten about quite easily. Check for any potential debris that can potentially get between the thermocouple and the igniter. If the power is fine, check the electronic ignition or possibly replace the fuse. 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. Always start by checking out the breakers and fuses if you have a modern house. 3. A fireplace can be a focal point to any room that it is in. 2. Gas Burner Doesn’t Light in Fireplace. With the pilot light continuously on flame is instantly available at the owner's convenience. Turn the gas key to release gas to the burner. This makes starting the fireplace quick and easy with minimum fuss. First and foremost, ensure that there aren’t any potential fuel issues keeping your fireplace from lighting. For this reason, leaving the pilot light on is the best idea. The entire point of the thermocouple is to keep your pilot lit. There are also issues with insects and spiders that lay their nests inside of the pilot tubing, particularly in rural areas. I stumbled across this video today of a server move from a few years ago in 2009. Trust me. 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. Check the main gas valve. Call your supplier to find out about low gas pressure in the supply. You would be surprised at just how often this is the culprit for a gas fireplace failing to start. With the gas on, push in and hold the pilot valve while igniting the pilot light. If the pilot doesn't light, wait a couple minutes and try again. Check the pilot. Before doing anything, look at the pilot flame. 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. How To Get Charcoal Out Of Carpet (Step-by-Step Guide). The pilot like should be burning blue and with a relatively sharp flame, like a minature blow torch. The first issue is that the pilot light will frequently go out and need to be relit. The thing about gas fireplaces is that they rarely offer a flashing sign that says what the problem is. The pilot light systems are actually the most common reason that gas fireplaces do not light, however. The way that this is done is through a tiny electric current that gets sent to a sensor on the gas valve. This means that your family will be warm unless the pilot light goes out. If the pilot light is out, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for re-lighting it. A gas fireplace flame color is yellow or red flames and is the exception to the rule. 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. Some but not all of the gas fireplaces out there will come with an electronic ignition. Another issue is that the pilot has gas coming out, but it won’t stay lit. Check the service instructions that come with your fireplace. 2. Checking the thermocouple. Flame-Lit Pilot Light. 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. 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. Check to see if it is located withing the pilot light flame. The flames normally appear for a few minutes. 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. The good thing about most gas appliances is that they all have shared design features. If a cold draft blows the pilot out on a regular basis, relight the pilot and check out the vent cap. Like anything else in this work, the thermocouple can wear down over time and stop working. Use this guide to learn how to light a gas fireplace using a wall switch, control panel or fireplace key. This happens because yellow flames do not burn as hot as blue flames. Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. The burner is placed below the thermocouple and pilot. During changing seasons the need for additional heat is not always predictable; leaving the pilot light on makes for quicker access to comfort. The probe has two different metals to it and the voltage gets generated when one of them is heated. Either issue will prevent the fireplace from remaining lit. Hold the gas control button down while you hold the end of a lighted match or lighter at the end of the pilot tube. Place lead connectors. Usually, you can find this light on older models of propane appliances. Once the pilot is lit, hold the pilot valve in for 60 seconds. This light is always lit. That would be a pilot tube obstruction in most cases. More often than not, the pilot light can simply be reset in order to get your gas fireplace working properly once again. A strong draft can blow out the pilot light. Doing so will ensure that the breaker won’t trip and that you won’t blow a fuse, either. 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. 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. When this happens, the pilot also shuts off. 3. Hold it down for at least 30 seconds in order for the thermocouple to get warmed up. There are times, however, that the vent cap will not only be present but completely secure. The pilot should start as soon as the flame is close enough. Hold for 20 seconds. So, being able to troubleshoot the issue is of the utmost importance. 3. The pilot light will Have a Lennox propane gas fireplace. 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. Check the gas regulator. Bypassing the ignition. You may have knocked it out or it’s defective. Or during the summer when you are barbequing, you may have tracked... How To Remove Double-Sided Tape and Residue (Step-by-Step Guide). 3. Should you replace one of those components, turn the breaker off all the way and then back on again before trying it out. If it has a pilot light then it has a thermocoupler. 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. Many of these valves have an adjustment screw to adjust the pilot flame. A battery backup kicks in if the power goes out to make sure it works. Not only will it help you find the issue, but it will help you to become more accustomed to your gas fireplace. 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. While pilot light is a small flame that you can find inside a device. Gas control button. Unfortunately, there are times where the fireplace just doesn’t work. He enjoys listening to others' opinions before politely pointing out that they're completely wrong. It has to be heated before the gas … Start the pilot with your assistant holding the gas control knob in place. Then it turns a blue flame, and slowly disappears until even the pilot light goes out. Wood logs do not burn with a blue flame colour, so a gas fireplace needs yellow or … 1. 1. 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. Using double-sided tape can... Troubleshooting a Fireplace That Stops Working. 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. 1. Achieving a toasty fire is as easy as knowing how to light a gas fireplace. If the pilot light starts to flicker and looks like it may light but then simply burns out, the thermopile is usually the problem. One of our customers had a standard gas log set on his fireplace. If the pilot repeatedly doesn’t light after multiple tries, then the thermocouple is probably bad. 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. All of these screws into a designated port on your gas valve. A plugged pilot jet. 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. In most cases, you’ll be lighting the pilot light once a year. To prevent it from happening again, make sure the vent cap is secure. This is another relatively small piece of your fireplace that converts heat to electricity, ultimately opening up … And the most common reason why a gas fireplace wont light when the switch is turned on is a dirty pilot burner. If I leave the pilot on, the pilot is stable and stays lit indefinitely. Ever wondered what to do when the gas fireplace pilot light won’t stay lit? Clear out clogs or blockages. To find out if you need a new one, turn the gas valve to pilot and then depress the override button. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan. Extend the life of the thermopile and your gas fireplace in general by having regular maintenance performed, once a year at least. 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. The pilot flame should look like a small, sharp blue flame, like a small blowtorch. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to adjust the pilot if necessary. 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. How Do You Reset the Pilot Light on a Gas Fireplace? I have another video of replacing a thermocouple. 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. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Thermocouplers are safety devices that prevent gas valves from operating if there isn’t an ignition source. Sometimes, the pilot light is lit and the gas is turned on yet the gas burner fails to light up. Sometimes gas fireplace won’t stay lit because it is not receiving sufficient gas to keep the flame going. One of the most common problems when a fireplace is not on a loan breaker is overloaded circuitry. Turn on the supply line to the gas fireplace. There are also issues with insects and spiders that lay their nests inside of the pilot tubing, particularly in rural areas. If the pilot light remains lit, but the gas fireplace doesn’t, it likely indicates an issue with your thermopile. Because this is a real flame, will not effect like that of electric fireplaces. 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. |, DIY: Gas Fireplace Won’t Light? No heat is being generated by the pilot so the glass door on your fireplace will not be warm to the touch. The thermocouple achieves this thanks to the probe. Always refer to your unit’s manual for specific instructions. 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. Most gas fireplaces list a recommended pilot light height you should adhere to. There is nothing quite like setting the mood and getting things toasty warm by the fire in the dead of winter. If done properly, the light should start the instant that the flame is close enough to do so. Every fireplace … Clear debris. The thermocouple, for instance, will have a probe that is attached to a copper tube. 1. Unfortunately, when the thermopile goes bad, that’s a repair that has to be performed by a professional service. Gas fireplace won’t stay lit, but the pilot light does. If the gas fireplace still refuses to light or stay lit, the wiring or thermopile may be damaged. 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. If it has a yellow-orange tint to it and looks small, it might be too weak to properly heat the thermocouple. With the pilot off, there are still trace amounts of gas molecules in the burner and pilot tubes of your fireplace. Clear out clogs or blockages. When this is the case, it can reduce the overall reliability of your fireplace as a whole. I tested the thermostat (I have two of these) and that's not it. Low gas pressure can also hinder the activity of the spark ignitor. And, of course, the pilot light itself could simply blow out. For this reason, leaving the pilot light on is the best idea. For those uninitiated with gas fireplaces, it may sound confusing to hear that there are electronic components within. Unscrew the thermocouple from the gas valve and then set your multimeter to register millivolts. Start the pilot. I have a Lennox gas fireplace the pilot light is lit but the fireplace won't turn on. Double-sided tape is a tool used around the home for both repair and modification. The process is relatively simple and can save you in a jam. Keep your fireplace on a single breaker if at all possible. Test with a multimeter. Anything less than a 25 millivolt reading and the thermocouple will require replacing. 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. One of those instances is where the pilot light is on but still won’t light. 2. It’s incredibly versatile and can prove helpful in a wide variety of situations. Owners of traditional gas fireplaces don't have to worry about that, though, since the flame comes from a standing pilot. 2. Thankfully, there are a few ways to isolate the thermocouple and determine its operational status. 3. It could be as simple as an issue with the gas regulator that is located at the tank or perhaps a stuck valve. But then, the pilot cuts out, cutting off the flow of gas to the logs. After a minute or so, place a lead on the connector and the other lead on the shaft of the thermocouple. Straighten the line if necessary. 1. This. The pilot light should be approximately the height of the flame on a cigarette lighter. Once I light the fireplace, the fireplace will come on and run for about 5-10 minutes then shut off. Pull the match or light away when the burner lights. Its a Copreci VCS-ECOMOD. You can adjust the flame height by turning the gas … 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. Something about a light switch being less than ideal for this application, and corrosion or something,...it probably can't hurt to try. 1. When the pilot doesn’t light at all, it likely is not the thermocouple that is at fault. I have a new construction home with a gas fireplace (Copreci VCS-ECOMOD) that won't stay on when lit. 3. The next most likely cause is a poor electrical connection someplace, commonly a wall switch. The color of the flame can be an indicator of the gas flow. This has been a common concern for people who own a gas fireplaces. #gasfireplacerepair #fireplacepilotlight #pilotlightwontstaylitWe show how to easily fix a gas fireplace pilot light to stay lit. Examine the gas line for any bends. The pilot light will not stay lit. 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. If you can determine that the igniter isn’t bad, it is more likely that you have a worn-out thermocouple. 4. Just one less thing to worry about when it is HOT out. 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. Hold the pilot button down for about 20 seconds to give the thermocouple time to … A short video of fixing another common problem with gas appliances. 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. Obviously there is gas to the pilot light but (I guess) not to the main burner. Flames are not reaching thermocouple and thermopile. 2. Light a match or butane candle lighter and hold it near the burner in the fireplace. Unscrew the thermocouple. 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. Another thing to try is lighting the pilot light yourself if you don’t see a flame. 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. 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). A draft stopper may be necessary to prevent that draft from blowing out the pilot light. 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. Try lighting the pilot. Repair or replace it if necessary. 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. Nine out of ten times, that’s it. . So I suggest you look carefully at the condition of the pilot flame for the likely source of your problem. The first thing that you should do is to check the main gas valve. 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The connector and the thermocouple and pilot tubes of your fireplace will not be warm unless the and! Replace the fuse a wide variety of situations s defective if there isn ’ blow. Stay open a lead on the gas valve and then depress the override button, look at pilot! Guess gas fireplace pilot light is lit but no flames not to the burner in the fireplace wo n't stay on when lit your to.

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