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TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE(S) CORRECTIVE ACTION
BURNER WILL NOT IGNITE 1. Pilot not lit
2. Thermostat set too low
3. No gas
4. Dirt in the gas lines
5. Pilot line clogged
6. Main burner line clogged
7. Non-functioning thermocouple
8. Non-functioning thermostat
9. Heater installed in a confined area
1. Light pilot
2. Turn temp. dial to desired temperature
3. Check with gas utility company
4. Notify utility-install trap in gas line
5. Clean, locate source and correct
6. Clean, locate source and correct
7. Replace thermocouple
8. Replace thermostat
9. Provide fresh air ventilation
SMELLY WATER 1. Sulfides in the water 1. Replace the anode with a special anode
BURNER FLAME YELLOW-
LAZY
1. Insufficient secondary air
2. Low gas pressure
3. Water heater flue or vent system
blocked
4. Main burner line clogged
5. Heater installed in a confined area
6. Obstruction in main burner orifice
1. Provide ventilation to water heater
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Clean, locate source and correct
4. Clean, locate source and correct
5. Proper fresh air ventilation
6. Clean or replace orifice
PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT OR
REMAIN LIT
1. Non-functioning igniter
2. The thermal switch tripped
3. Wire lead connection at thermal switch
loose
4. Thermocouple connection loose
5. Air in gas line
6. Low gas pressure
7. No gas
8. Dirt in gas lines
9. Cold drafts
10. Thermostat ECO switch open
11. Pilot line or orifice clogged
12. Non-functioning thermocouple
13. Air for combustion obstructed
14. Flammable vapors incident, FVIR
function actuated
15. Base-ring filter obstructed
1. Replace igniter pilot assembly
2. See Pilot Light Troubleshooting Flowchart section
3. Remove and reconnect the wire leads at
thermal switch, confirm connections are tight
and not loose
4. Finger tighten; then 1/4 turn with wrench
5. Bleed the air from the gas line
6. Check with gas utility company
7. Check with gas utility company
8. Notify utility-install dirt trap in gas line
9. Locate source and correct
10. Replace thermostat
11. Clean, locate source and correct
12. Replace thermocouple
13. See maintenance section for inspection and
cleaning of flame arrester
14. Replace water heater, eliminate flammable
vapors source. Contact Sears Service.
15. Inspect and clean base-ring filter. See “External
Cleaning & Inspection of the Base-Ring Filter.”
HIGH OPERATION COSTS 1. Thermostat set too high
2. Sediment or lime in tank
3. Water heater too small for job
4. Wrong piping connections
5. Leaking faucets
6. Gas leaks
7. Wasted hot water
8. Long runs of exposed piping
9. Hot water piping in exposed wall
1. Set temperature dial to lower setting
2. Drain/flush-provide water treatment if needed
3. Install adequate heater
4. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
5. Repair faucets
6. Check with utility-repair at once
7. Advise customer
8. Insulate piping
9. Insulate piping
INSUFFICIENT HOT WATER 1. Thermostat set too low
2. Sediment or lime in tank
3. Water heater too small
4. Wrong piping connections
5. Leaking faucets
6. Wasted hot water
7. Long runs of exposed piping
8. Hot water piping in outside wall
9. Low gas pressure
1. Turn temperature dial to desired setting
2. Drain/flush-provide water treatment if needed
3. Install adequate heater
4. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
5 Repair faucets
6. Advise customer
7. Insulate piping
8. Insulate piping
9. Check with gas utility company
SLOW HOT WATER
RECOVERY
1. Insufficient secondary air
2. Water heater flue or vent system
blocked
3. Low gas pressure
4. Improper calibration
5. Thermostat set too low
6. Water heater too small
7. Wrong piping connections
8. Wasted hot water
1. Provide ventilation to water heater. Check flue
way, flue baffle, and burner
2. Clean flue, locate source and correct
3. Check with gas utility company
4. Replace thermostat
5. Turn temperature dial to desired setting
6. Install adequate heater
7. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
8. Advise customer
DRIP FROM RELIEF VALVE 1. Excessive water pressure
2. Heater stacking
3. Closed water system
1. Use a pressure reducing valve and relief
valve
2. Lower the thermostat setting
3. See “Closed System/Thermal Expansion”