My furnace was working fine yesterday, but right now the pilot light is out and it won't kick on at all. I have tried to light the pilot, and I know I'm doing it right (holding the button in for a minute and a half,etc.), but I don't even hear the gas coming out of the line. I have checked the electric breaker, and all is well. Any suggestions on what it might be....I have kids and it's starting to get cold...I need some serious answers please...Thank you,
2006-11-14 09:31:05 · 11 answers · asked by moonbaby3504 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
South Bosque Builders has about the best answer so far. Assuming your gas hasn't been shut off either inside or outside the house, (or you're out of propane, if applicable), there are a few causes depending on your furnace. First, if it is old enough to have a pilot light, it s probably clogged, because if it were the thermocouple the pilot would light but then go out. It sounds like, however, yours may be one of the newer ones with electric ignition. If this is the case, or if it has a pilot light but also electronic controls, the first two things to check are the switch on the side of the furnace (it looks like a light switch, and they are required in almost every area on any furnace that uses house electricity), and the fuse on the circuit board. If it is the fuse, it will usually be a 3amp fuse, and they look one of two types of car fuses. Most often they are just like the flat rectangular car fuses with the two flat metal prongs sticking out one side, although sometimes they look like the older car fuses where both ends are metal with a glass tube in between. If the fuse is blown, DO NOT replace it with a larger amperage fuse!!! The fuse is there to protect the circuitry from too much power, and if you use a larger fuse you can burn out the circuit board, which is much harder and more costly to replace. If the fuse is fine, or if it keeps blowing as soon as you replace it (turn off the power to the furnace before removing or replacing the fuse, either by using the switch, or at the breaker panel), it is probably a bigger problem and will require a trained technician. The one other thing it could be on the newer furnaces is a bad thermostat, or worn out thermostat batteries if you have one that is programmable (it happened to me). If it isn't a simple fix, it's usually safer to have a professional fix it because furnaces use electricity and gas or propane, and that's a good recipe for a bomb if you aren't completely sure what you are doing. Play it safe. If need be, get an electric heater for a few days until the technician can get there. I have had good luck with the oil-filled ones that look like an old hot water radiator, because they are supposed to be a lot less likely to start a fire if you leave them running unsupervised. I hope this helps.
2006-11-14 10:30:20 · answer #1 · answered by Jonathan R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How To Light A Furnace
2016-10-04 05:22:26 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you're turning the gas valve knob to the 'pilot' position before pushing it down. If not, no gas will come out.
If the manual gas shutoff valve at the furnace is on, and you are trying to light the pilot correctly with no luck, it sounds like the pilot burner is clogged. It is kind of a pain, but you can disassemble the pilot burner and clean it with a pin or needle.
2006-11-14 09:37:22 · answer #3 · answered by Obsean 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the first reply you got. If you depress the button as it is set on pilot and no gas is present I would say the pilot tube/tip needs cleaned. It depends on the furnace also, but some had pilot adjustment screws that clog also. I hope you don't have a bad gas valve!
2006-11-14 10:24:25 · answer #4 · answered by jazcomania 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the pilot lights, but will not stay lit after you release the valve, then your thermo-couple is bad. If the pilot will not come on either, then check your gas meter to see if it has been shut off, or call your utility provider to see if they shut off the gas in your area for a repair. If so you will have to bleed the air out of the line for a while before the gas makes back to your appliances.
2006-11-14 09:40:06 · answer #5 · answered by Uncle Baby 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason you don't hear any gas is because there is a thermo-coupling that must be heated up with the pilot light before the gas valve will open (For Safety)
There are several things that can be wrong with your unit. One is the thermo-coupling is bad. The second is the gas source has been blocked or turned off.
If you are not comfortable with working on this unit. You should call a plumber... Gas and fire are very dangerous if you are not used to working with them.
You might also call your Gas company or supplier and have them check the unit. Some of them will inspect it and light it for free. BE CAREFULL!
2006-11-14 09:39:10 · answer #6 · answered by southbosquebuilders 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Im an HVAC repair man and some of your answers are good and others are just plain dangerous and ignorant.....do me a favor so I can sleep tonight....just make sure your gas is on and if it is then it rules out a simple solution. If the gas is on, call a repairman. The life you save may be your own.
2006-11-14 10:38:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
button area spray 10w 30 and press it few times and see whether you hear the gas coming out as you say that you check the electric breaker, if it's o.k then gas should come kick on or use a barbeq light
2006-11-14 09:44:35 · answer #8 · answered by ranjithathatha 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If you have a propane tank, see if it is empty, if on a gas line call that company, maybe a leak somewhere.
2006-11-14 09:38:25 · answer #9 · answered by Julie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be two things, eather your out of gas or sombody truned off your gas valve in the house or maybe the gas tank itsself.
2006-11-14 09:41:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋