Why does the pilot light on my furnace keep going out?

If your furnace pilot light keeps going out, it’s likely you have a broken thermocouple in your gas furnace. The thermocouple is a rod that comes into physical contact with the flame in your system. When this component is not able to detect the flame, it will close the gas valve to prevent a gas leak in your home.

What do you do if your pilot light won’t stay lit?

Check the Thermocouple If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.

Will the pilot light stay lit if the thermocouple is bad?

A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won’t stay lit.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a furnace?

Cost to Replace a Thermocouple on a Furnace Replacing a thermocouple costs $150 to $250, mostly due to labor time. On older models without an ignitor, it checks to make sure your pilot light is lit. If it’s not, it’ll shut the gas off.

How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my furnace?

If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.

Is it expensive to replace a thermocouple?

1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.

How do you check if a thermocouple is working?

If the thermocouple is working, you should be able to measure 30 to 40 millivolts of voltage at the connection end of the tube when the pilot flame is on. You can test this yourself using a multimeter, but you may need a helper to keep the pilot flame burning while you do it.

How do I light the pilot light on my furnace?

Turn the knob to the “Pilot” setting, which will re-start the flow of gas to the pilot. Strike up your match or lighter. Depress the reset button, and while it is depressed, hold the match flame near the pilot opening. When the pilot is burning brightly, release the rest button. The furnace will then start, automatically.

Why does pilot light keep going out on gas furnace?

Thermocouple – The most common cause for a pilot light going out frequently is the thermocouple. The thermocouple verifies that the pilot light in your gas furnace is burning (to ensure that your furnace is not releasing unburned gas into your home).

Why does my furnace pilot light keep going out?

If your furnace pilot light keeps going out, it’s likely you have a broken thermocouple in your gas furnace. The thermocouple is a rod that comes into physical contact with the flame in your system. This component will deactivates the gas when the pilot light goes out.

Why do pilot lights go out on furnace?

Often times, pilot lights go out because of something that goes wrong with the furnace’s thermocouple. If your thermocouple malfunctions, you might need to have it replaced by Jerry Kelly . Dirt buildup around the pilot light. Dirt buildup is problematic for many parts of your furnace, including the area around your pilot light.