How to Fix a Pilot Light on a Water Heater Valve

The pilot light is attached to the water heater valve. It lights the gas that is supplied to the water heater. The pilot light ensures the water heater stays lit and warm. When the pilot light does not stay lit, the most common cause is a faulty thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that determines when the pilot light is lit. When the pilot light goes out the thermocouple relights it. If the pilot light will not relight, the thermocouple most likely needs replacing.

• 1

  Turn off the gas supply to the water heater by turning the gas valve to the off position. Disconnect the electricity to the heater by flipping the circuit breaker to the off position.

• 2

  Loosen the bolt that holds the thermocouple wire to the gas control valve using a wrench. Remove the burner gas tube and the pilot light gas tube as well.

• 3

  Pull the gas burner assembly out of the water heater and locate the small, metal thermocouple by following the thermocouple wire. Push the thermocouple out of the burner and put the new one in.

• 4

  Reinstall the burner and tighten the gas tubing and thermocouple wire. Slowly tighten the tubing and wire to prevent stripping the thread. Turn the power back on as well as the gas.

• 5

  Test the gas tubing connections by dipping a small brush into a dish of soapy water and applying the soapy water to the connections. The connections will bubble if there is a leak. Tighten if necessary.