The thermocouple is bad. The thermocouple is the small metal tube that sits in the pilot light flame and runs to the control valve. The thermocouple generates a very small electrical current that keeps the gas valve open. They go bad regularly.
**** I would have to say to check to make sure the valve is not in the "Pilot" position. If it is then turn it to the "On' position. If it still isn't working then you may have a bad Gas Control Valve. If the thermocouple was bad the pilot light would not stay lit. If the pilot light stay lit, it is doing what it is supossed to do.
No because water heaters have a safety valves and when the pilot light goes out the safety valve shuts off the gas
To determine if the water heater pilot light is out, locate the pilot light access panel on the water heater. Look inside to see if the pilot light is lit. If it is not lit, you may need to relight it following the manufacturer's instructions.
No, electric water heaters do not need a pilot light. The heating element is heated by an electric current (similar to the 'eye' on an electric stove or the heaters in a toaster). When the circuit is completed, electric current flows through the element, and it gets hot, and when the electricity is turned off, the element starts cooling. In a gas water heater, the pilot light is a flame, which is always burning. When it's time to heat up the water, the main gas valve is opened, and the pilot light ignites the gas, so that the main burner heats up.
The pilot light on the water heater went out because there was a lack of gas flow or a problem with the ignition system.
To turn on the water heater pilot, locate the pilot light button or knob on the water heater. Turn the knob to the "pilot" setting and hold it down. While holding the knob down, use a long lighter to ignite the pilot light. Once the pilot light is lit, continue holding the knob down for about a minute before releasing it. This should successfully turn on the water heater pilot.
If the pilot light is on, the heater should come on by itself. If the pilot light is off then it has to be lit. If it will not stay on, the thermocouple is bad.
The water heater pilot light may not stay lit due to issues with the thermocouple, gas supply, or ventilation. These problems can prevent the pilot light from staying lit, leading to the water heater not functioning properly.
The water heater pilot can go out due to issues such as a faulty thermocouple, a dirty pilot light, or a lack of gas supply.
To check the water heater pilot light, locate the access panel on the water heater and look for a small flame. If the flame is out, follow the manufacturer's instructions to relight it safely.
Have you turned the control from Pilot to On? Have you increased the temperature setting?
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To turn on the pilot light for your water heater, locate the pilot light assembly near the bottom of the water heater. Turn the gas control knob to the "pilot" setting and hold it down. While holding the knob down, use a long lighter to ignite the pilot light. Once the pilot light is lit, continue holding the knob down for about 30 seconds before releasing it. If the pilot light stays lit, turn the gas control knob to the "on" position to start the water heater.