Replacing The Burner Door Assembly; Piezoelectric Igniter System; Testing The Igniter System - Kenmore 153.552400 Use And Care Manual

Replacing the Burner Door Assembly

1. Check the door gasket for damage or imbedded debris
prior to installation.
2. Inspect the viewport for damage and replace as required.
3. Insert the burner assembly into the burner compartment,
making sure that the burner assembly sits firmly against
the burner bracket inside the combustion chamber
(Figure 30).
4. Inspect the door gasket and make sure there is no
fiberglass insulation between the gasket and the
combustion chamber.
5. Replace the two screws which secure the burner
assembly to the combustion chamber and tighten
securely. There should be no space between the
gasket part of the burner door and combustion chamber.
IMPORTANT: Do not operate the water heater if the door
gasket does not create a seal between the burner door and
the combustion chamber.
6. Reconnect the manifold tubing (3/4" wrench), pilot tubing
(7/16" wrench), temperature sensor wires, and thermopile
wires to the gas control valve/thermostat. (See Figure 25
for the correct position of the thermopile wires.) Do not
cross-thread or apply any thread sealant to the fittings.
7. Reconnect the igniter wire.
8. Turn the gas supply on and refer to "Lighting Instructions"
in the "Operating Instructions" section.
9. Check for leaks by brushing on an approved noncorrosive
leak detection solution. Bubbles forming indicate a leak.
Correct any leak found. IMPORTANT: All leaks must be
fixed immediately.
10. Replace the outer door.
FLAME-TRAP

Piezoelectric Igniter System

The piezoelectric igniter system consists of the igniter
button, electrode, and wire. The pilot is ignited by an electric
spark generated when the igniter button is pressed.
Figure 31.) Use only factory authorized piezoelectric igniter
parts for replacement.
VAC
WIRE TO ELECTRODE
IGNITER BUTTON

Testing the Igniter System

Turn off the gas to the water heater at the manual gas shut-off
valve. Watch the electrode tip while activating the igniter. A visible
spark should jump from the electrode. To avoid shock, do not
touch the burner or any metal part on the pilot or pilot assembly.
If no spark is visible, check the wire connections and make sure
the electrode is not broken. Replace the electrode if defective.
NOTE: The electrode is part of the pilot assembly and cannot
be replaced separately. Dirt and rust on the pilot or electrode
tip can prevent the igniter spark. Wipe clean with a damp cloth
and dry completely. Rust can be removed from the electrode
tip and metal surfaces by lightly sanding with an emery cloth or
fine grit sandpaper.
26
BRACKET
DOOR GASKET
FIGURE 30.
THERMOPILE
PILOT
ELECTRODE
PILOT / THERMOPILE BRACKET
(OPPOSITE SIDE)
FIGURE 31.
(See