American Water Heater Gas Water heater Installation Instructions And Use & Care Manual page 27

PILOT LIGHT TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
Section A: Pilot light will not light.
Check the manual gas shut-off valve to
Is the gas turned on?
NO
see if it is in the open position, if it is open
then contact the gas utility company.
YES
Have you bled all the air
NO
from the pilot tube and
gas supply line?
YES
Is the igniter producing a
NO
spark?
YES
Is the pilot tube and/or orifice
NO
free from dirt and debris?
YES
Is the pilot free from dirt and
NO
debris?
YES
Is the pilot protected from cold
drafts that could prevent it NO
from lighting.
YES
Remove the burner door assembly. Is
the flame-trap free from dirt or debris?
See "Removing the Burner Door
Assembly" section of the manual for
removal instructions.*
YES
Check the water heater for a Flammable Vapor (FV) event.
If the flame-trap show signs of discoloration, shut-off the gas supply
to the water heater at the manual gas shut-off valve, then contact
Customer Service at: 1-800-999-9515.
* This procedure requires the removal of water heater components.
While repeatedly depressing the igniter button,
hold down the reset button until the pilot is lit and
maintains a stable flame, then slowly release the
reset button.
Follow the Testing the Igniter System
instructions in this manual.
Follow the Replacing the Pilot Assembly
instructions found in this manual to access
pilot tube and orifice. Clean as needed and
reinstall pilot tube and orifice.*
Follow the Cleaning the Pilot Assembly
instructions found in this manual.*
Eliminate any drafts. See the
"Site Location" instructions found
in this manual.
Clean the flame-trap
with a soft bristle brush
NO
or vacuum cleaner.
Section B: Pilot light will not remain lit or repeatedly goes out.
Is the thermocouple securely
NO
connected to the gas control
valve/thermostat?
YES
Test the thermocouple using the following procedure: Disconnect the thermocouple
from the gas control valve/thermostat. Using a multimeter with alligator clip leads,
attach the red lead to the body (copper part) of the thermocouple. Attach the black lead
to the end (silver part) of the thermocouple that connects to the gas control valve/
thermostat. Follow the instruction to light the pilot and watch the voltage readings on
the multimeter. After 45 seconds the meter should read 12 millivolts DC or more.*
Does the thermocouple pass the test?
YES
Replace the thermocouple.
Is the pilot tube and/or orifice
NO
free from dirt and debris?
YES
Is the pilot free from dirt and debris?
YES
Check for insufficient combustion air.
Are there openings for
NO
make-up air to enter the
room?
YES
Are the openings of sufficient size?
See Combustion Air Supply and Ventilation
section in this manual for requirements.
YES
NO
Is there a furnace/air handler in the same room as the water heater?
YES
Does the return air duct for the furnace/
air handler draw its air from a separate
location than the water heater? See the
Location Requirements section and the
Combustion Air Supply section.
YES
Is there proper drafting at the
draft hood? See Checking the
Draft section in this manual.
YES
Remove the burner door
assembly. Is the flame-trap and
burner free from debris due to
excessive lint, dirt, dust or oil?
YES
Does the flame-trap show signs of discoloration.
YES
Shut-off the gas supply to the water heater at
the manual gas shut-off valve, then contact
Customer Service at: 1-800-999-9515.
Make sure the thermocouple is securely
connected. Finger tighten then give a
additional 1/2 turn with a wrench.
Is the thermocouple fully
NO
seated in the pilot bracket?
YES
NO
Push the thermocouple
forward until it is fully seated in
the pilot bracket and retest.*
Follow the Replacing the Pilot Assembly
instructions found in this manual to access
pilot tube and orifice. Clean as needed and
reinstall pilot tube and orifice.*
Follow the Cleaning the Pilot Assembly
NO
instructions found in this manual.*
Install correct size make-up air openings per the
Combustion Air Supply and Ventilation section in
this manual.
Correct size of openings to
NO
allow sufficient air.
Contact a local Heating,
Ventilation, Air-Conditioning
NO
& Refrigeration authorized
service provider.
Check the vent system for
restrictions/obstructions and check
the vent termination height. Refer to
NO
the Installation Instructions section of
this manual for specific requirements.
Refer to the Use & Care Guide section
of this manual for information on
NO
cleaning the flame-trap and burner.
NO
Replace the gas control
valve/thermostat.*
27