Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace -

livermush · 10-06-2008, 02:11 PM

Back in May, for the first time ever, I decided I'd turn off my pilot light for the summer on my natural gas furnace. I didn't want it to run all summer and thought I'd save a few bucks. It was easy to turn off, just pushed down a knob, turned it, and it went off.

Now I can't seem to get it lit again. I've pushed the knob down and turned it to the on position and tried to light it with no luck.

Am I missing something here? If I have to call a guy out here to do it I know he's going to come out here and light it in 2 minutes, laugh at me, and charge me $70 which would be more than the amount I saved on my gas bill from it being off this summer.

I'd rather you all laugh at me instead. What am I doing wrong?

Johnny Rockets · 10-06-2008, 02:14 PM

what a loser!!!!

(happened to me before also)

jkeough · 10-06-2008, 02:16 PM

did you hold the knob down for at least a minute before turning to ON ?

BMorgan · 10-06-2008, 02:19 PM

Your thermocouple may be bad.
We had to have ours replaced a few years ago after I couldn't get ours to light.

Also, not sure how your systems is set up, but check to make sure the supply line shut-off valve is open.

Johnny Rockets · 10-06-2008, 02:20 PM

oh sorry...forgot to tell you how i fixed mine.....make sure the line leading to the pilot has no dirt in it. That is what was wrong with mine and I think that is quite common after it has sat for awhile.

If not, it could be a thermostat, or control panel issue. There should be a flashing LED light with codes to tell you what is going on .

I am no heating and air guy though....

BMorgan · 10-06-2008, 02:24 PM

Did you follow the instructions printed on the unit on how to light the pilot light? I think ours you have to hold the knob down for so many seconds after you you light it for it to stay lit.
Mine wouldn't stay lit becasue of the bad thermocouple.

jkeough · 10-06-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkeough

did you hold the knob down for at least a minute before turning to ON ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMorgan

Did you follow the instructions printed on the unit on how to light the pilot light? I think ours you have to hold the knob down for so many seconds after you you light it for it to stay lit.
Mine wouldn't stay lit becasue of the bad thermocouple.

most of the time that works

Hawk · 10-06-2008, 02:41 PM

ummmm...does it have a manual igniter or an automatic? Most of them will also be tied into a timer that ensures your fan runs for X amount of time before it will let the solenoid open to prevent you from blowing shit up!!!

run the fan, for at least 10 minutes

determine if you are automatic ignition or manual...and if you are manual, does it have a sparker or are you getting a match?

hold that button in, and it should have a pilot setting...hold it in and spark it up...if you are a manual pilot that is

keep holding that button for 1/2 minute minimum and then turn it to on...

jangler · 10-06-2008, 02:45 PM

Towelboy · 10-06-2008, 03:00 PM

it has been 40 some minutes since mush's last post. anyone want to go by his house and make sure he didn't blow it up?

Hawk · 10-06-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towelboy

it has been 40 some minutes since mush's last post. anyone want to go by his house and make sure he didn't blow it up?

dibs on the wife if he did!!!!!

Go To Girl · 10-06-2008, 03:02 PM

I'll take the boy - he mows the lawn, right? I lost my yard man when he went to college.

Towelboy · 10-06-2008, 03:04 PM

i'll take his truck. that silverado could do wonders for my weekend house projects.

Go To Girl · 10-06-2008, 03:10 PM

Truck is probably parked next to the house - it'd be gone too

Towelboy · 10-06-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go To Girl

Truck is probably parked next to the house - it'd be gone too

good point. maybe i'll get one off his lot.

Go To Girl · 10-06-2008, 03:14 PM

I think I also will remove my request for the boy - Redwing will still want him and I've seen what happens when a brother moves out and leaves his sister. I'll find another yard guy.

10-06-2008, 02:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
livermush Tailgate Man Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Charlotte Age: 37 Posts: 11,015 Rep Power: 950	Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace Back in May, for the first time ever, I decided I'd turn off my pilot light for the summer on my natural gas furnace. I didn't want it to run all summer and thought I'd save a few bucks. It was easy to turn off, just pushed down a knob, turned it, and it went off. Now I can't seem to get it lit again. I've pushed the knob down and turned it to the on position and tried to light it with no luck. Am I missing something here? If I have to call a guy out here to do it I know he's going to come out here and light it in 2 minutes, laugh at me, and charge me $70 which would be more than the amount I saved on my gas bill from it being off this summer. I'd rather you all laugh at me instead. What am I doing wrong?

10-06-2008, 02:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Johnny Rockets Bombastic Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Concord NC Age: 35 Posts: 27,948 Rep Power: 1389	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace what a loser!!!! (happened to me before also) __________________ *"Tie Eagles Tie, on the road to Mediocrity....."*

10-06-2008, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
jkeough fills you up Forum Legend Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Riverview FL Age: 33 Posts: 6,522 Rep Power: 484	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace did you hold the knob down for at least a minute before turning to ON ? __________________ www.ninebullets.net

10-06-2008, 02:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
BMorgan Destroyer of Blenders All Pro Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gastonia, NC Age: 38 Posts: 1,225 Rep Power: 146	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace Your thermocouple may be bad. We had to have ours replaced a few years ago after I couldn't get ours to light. Also, not sure how your systems is set up, but check to make sure the supply line shut-off valve is open.

10-06-2008, 02:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Johnny Rockets Bombastic Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Concord NC Age: 35 Posts: 27,948 Rep Power: 1389	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace oh sorry...forgot to tell you how i fixed mine.....make sure the line leading to the pilot has no dirt in it. That is what was wrong with mine and I think that is quite common after it has sat for awhile. If not, it could be a thermostat, or control panel issue. There should be a flashing LED light with codes to tell you what is going on . I am no heating and air guy though.... __________________ *"Tie Eagles Tie, on the road to Mediocrity....."*

10-06-2008, 02:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
BMorgan Destroyer of Blenders All Pro Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gastonia, NC Age: 38 Posts: 1,225 Rep Power: 146	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace Did you follow the instructions printed on the unit on how to light the pilot light? I think ours you have to hold the knob down for so many seconds after you you light it for it to stay lit. Mine wouldn't stay lit becasue of the bad thermocouple.

10-06-2008, 02:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hawk Huddle Lowlife Forum Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In the Lounge Age: 41 Posts: 31,676 Rep Power: 1385	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace ummmm...does it have a manual igniter or an automatic? Most of them will also be tied into a timer that ensures your fan runs for X amount of time before it will let the solenoid open to prevent you from blowing shit up!!! run the fan, for at least 10 minutes determine if you are automatic ignition or manual...and if you are manual, does it have a sparker or are you getting a match? hold that button in, and it should have a pilot setting...hold it in and spark it up...if you are a manual pilot that is keep holding that button for 1/2 minute minimum and then turn it to on... __________________

10-06-2008, 02:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
jangler Huddle Legend Forum Legend Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Magnetic Spectrum Posts: 11,002 Rep Power: 658	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace

10-06-2008, 03:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Towelboy Huddle Grammar Hammer Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Charlotte Age: 25 Posts: 2,395 Rep Power: 399	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace it has been 40 some minutes since mush's last post. anyone want to go by his house and make sure he didn't blow it up? __________________ http://pbase.com/jettanout

10-06-2008, 03:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
Go To Girl Premium Member Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ... Age: 46 Posts: 25,322 Rep Power: 1429	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace I'll take the boy - he mows the lawn, right? I lost my yard man when he went to college.

10-06-2008, 03:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
Towelboy Huddle Grammar Hammer Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Charlotte Age: 25 Posts: 2,395 Rep Power: 399	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace i'll take his truck. that silverado could do wonders for my weekend house projects. __________________ http://pbase.com/jettanout

10-06-2008, 03:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
Go To Girl Premium Member Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ... Age: 46 Posts: 25,322 Rep Power: 1429	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace Truck is probably parked next to the house - it'd be gone too

10-06-2008, 03:14 PM	#16 (permalink)
Go To Girl Premium Member Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ... Age: 46 Posts: 25,322 Rep Power: 1429	Re: Need help lighting a pilot light on my furnace I think I also will remove my request for the boy - Redwing will still want him and I've seen what happens when a brother moves out and leaves his sister. I'll find another yard guy.