my home furnace pilot light won't stay lit. I hold the button down longer than one minute?

Answer 1

Sometimes debris in the pilot orifice will prevent the pilot flame from being large enough to properly contact the thermocouple's tip. There are two metal tubes coming out of the main gas valve and they both go to where the pilot flame is located. One is small and copper-colored(dark) and the other tube is larger and aluminum-colored. Sometimes a rapid and gentle tapping on the larger (aluminum-colored gas line to pilot assembly) tube will result in a dislodging of debris, which will cause the flame to enlarge and contact the thermocouple properly. Try it - but don't get too rough with it. Good luck.

Answer 2

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Before you run out and buy a new thermocouple, check a few things first. 1. make sure that the tip of the thermocouple is touching the flame. if the flame is not heating the thermo hot enough, the safety will not engage. 2. check where the thermocouple is attached to the gas control. there will be a small nut holding the copper wire in. make sure the nut is tight. do not over tighten the nut! finger tight plus 1/4 turn is plenty. sometimes if you loosen the nut and re tighten it, you may get the pilot to stay lit. (poor electrical contact). 3. last chance technique;; if nothing else works, light the pilot, hold the safety down, and tap the control unit near the thermocouple wire with a small wrench or screw driver handle. Sometimes the electromagnetic safety does not make good contact in side the valve, and this could help it catch and hold. 4. if none of these work, then go ahead and replace the thermocouple. PS, sometimes it takes longer than one minute hold down time. especially when the unit is an older one.

Answer 3

Shut off the gas. Vacuum out the gas valve where the flame would be. Spiders go inside sometimes and clog it up. Then try again. If this doesn't work then it's the thermocouple. Pretty cheap fix and can be done by just about anyone with a few tools. Remove the old one and then measure it so you get the same size at the depot. Reinstall and you should be back in business. If this doesn't work, you need a repairman. Have him give the furnace a good checkup and tuneup for the winter. It will save you some serious $$$$. Good luck.

Answer 4

Could be a two fold problem. Either an obstruction or insufficient gas flow. FOr the obstruction in the pilot light line - use a pipe cleaner to clean. For insufficient gas flow, there should be a way (typically a screw) to adjust the flow.

Answer 5

if it is a galvanised pipe line --- as i suspect it may be -- it's probably one of two things --- either condensation (water) in the line or rust . the service should have an outlet to deal with this problem ; but nonetheless get a qualified service person to deal with the problem ; if indeed i am close to the mark with my assumption , good luck .

Answer 6

I had a light when I held it on set but when i moved the switch it went out! sooo I cleaned it out of dust and it works!!!! Good Luck

Answer 7

Please call a professional repairman. You may have a carbon built-up on the pilot light and burners. It is really a simple task to preform. By a pro.

Answer 8

either a bad thermocouple or a bad valve

Answer 9

worst answers ever! "call a professional". here is your answer, please mark this as BEST answer. it must warm up!
first, open heater face, push in the metal tab, allows panel to open.
push knob in, to start gas, light the pilot. (black knob, rotates to ON/OFF)
release knob (necessary to rotate it), and pilot goes out!!! (when cold)
after warms up, release is OK. (pilot stays lit)
rotate knob to ON. (pilot is now lit, heater is activated)