30
Have you bled all the air
from the pilot tube and
gas supply line?
NO
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.
YES
Section A: Pilot light will not light. Section B: Pilot light will not remain lit or repeatedly goes out.
Check for insufficient combustion air.
Are there openings for
make-up air to enter the
room?
Are the openings of sufficient size?
See Combustion Air and Ventilation section in
this manual for requirements.
Is there a furnace/air handler in the same room as the water heater?
Does the return air duct for the furnace/
air handler draw its air from a separate
location than the water heater? See Facts
to Consider About the Location section and
the Combustion Air section.
Is there proper drafting at the
draft hood? See Draft Hood
Operation section in this manual.
Remove the burner door
assembly. Is the flame arrestor
and burner free from debris due to
excessive lint, dirt, dust or oil?
Install correct size make-up air openings per the
Combustion Air and Ventilation section in this
manual.
NO
Refer to the Service and Adjustment
section of this manual for information on
cleaning the flame arrestor and burner.
Contact a local Heating,
Ventilation, Air-Conditioning
& Refrigeration authorized
service provider.
Is the gas turned on?
NO
YES
Check the manual gas shut-off valve to
see if it is in the open position, if it is open
then contact the gas utility company.
Is the igniter producing a
spark?
NO
YES
Follow the Testing the Igniter System
instructions in this manual.
* This procedure requires the removal of water heater components.
Is the thermocouple securely
connected to the gas control
valve/thermostat?
NO
YES
Make sure the thermocouple is securely
connected. Finger tighten then give a
additional 1/2 turn with a wrench.
Is the pilot tube and/or orifice
free from dirt and debris?
NO
YES
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.*
Is the pilot free from dirt and
debris?
NO
YES
Follow the Cleaning the Pilot Assembly
instructions found in this manual.*
Is the pilot protected from cold
drafts that could prevent it
from lighting.
NO
YES
Eliminate any drafts. See the
“Site Location” instructions found
in this manual.
Check the water heater for a Flammable Vapor (FV) event.
If the flame arrestor show signs of discoloration, shut-off the gas
supply to the water heater at the manual gas shut-off valve, then
contact Sears Service at: 1-800-4-MY-HOME
®
(1-800-469-4663).
Is the pilot tube and/or orifice
free from dirt and debris?
NO
YES
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.*
Is the pilot free from dirt and debris?
NO
Follow the Cleaning the Pilot Assembly
instructions found in this manual.*
YES
YES
Correct size of openings to
allow sufficient air.
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
Check the vent system for
restrictions/obstructions and check
the vent termination height. Refer to
the Installation Instructions section of
this manual for specific requirements.
NO
YES
NO
Is the thermocouple fully
seated in the pilot bracket?
Push the thermocouple
forward until it is fully seated in
the pilot bracket and retest.
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.*
Replace the gas control
valve/thermostat.*
NO
Does the thermocouple pass the test?
YES
Replace the thermocouple.
NO
NO
NO
YES
Remove the burner door assembly.
Is the flame arrestor free from dirt or
debris? See “Removing the Burner
Door Assembly” section of the manual
for removal instructions.*
Clean the flame arrestor
with a soft bristle brush
or vacuum cleaner.
NO
Does the flame arrestor show signs of discoloration.
Shut-off the gas supply to the water heater at the
manual gas shut-off valve, then contact Sears
Service at: 1-800-4-MY-HOME
®
(1-800-469-4663).
YES
YES
PILOT LIGHT TROUBLESHOOTING CHART