Ge Water Heater Pilot Light Will Not Stay Lit

6 reasons why a water heater pilot light won t stay lit written by perry carpenter on mar 08 2010.

Ge water heater pilot light will not stay lit.

This equipment is the core reason why your water heater functions it also knows if the pilot light is on or off through an electric current that draws power from the pilot s heat. Once the thermocouple detects that the pilot light isn t lit it turns the gas off as a safety measure. Although a blocked gas line is one reason why the pilot light on a rheem water heater won t light or stay lit there are other reasons as well some easier to correct than others. A pilot light that won t stay lit is more than frustrating.

The solution was adjusting the thermocouple. The pilot light in your hot water heater does more than simply ignite the gas. Without it the water heater won t be able to maintain internal temperatures allowing the water to cool off. The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater.

I am not a professional just documenting how i repaired the hot water heater s pilot light to stay on. If the pilot doesn t relight if it goes out right after lighting or if the pilot light keeps going out by far the most common. When troubleshooting the pilot light problems such as when it does not stay lit keep in mind that there are often different causes for this and other conditions. When the water heater pilot light goes out first try relighting it following the directions on the water heater label.

If there is no gas or gas pressure is too high or low check with your utility company to see if there is any work on the system. Not only does it prevent a furnace from operating properly but an unlit pilot can also steal away the comforts of a hot morning shower. A faulty thermocouple or malfunction of the gas valve could be the culprit but the problem may be as simple as a draft coming from a crack in the wall or under the door. The pilot light will not remain lit.