Reigniton failure of pilot - Pilot Pen Water Heaters

Is it an electric pilot or does it have a normal pilot? See if the pilot has gone out. Pretty hard to diagnose with out knowing what make or model. You may have to call a plumber or hot water specialist.

You need to replace the gas control thermostat valve. The manual is here: http://www.whirlpoolwaterheaters.com/media/48027/6510397.pdf

You have Reliance gas water heater with standing pilot light.

1) The problem is Pilot light is out and will not relight.
You followed instructions that show on side of tank.

2) Reliance has link offering help.
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/om.html

3) Several things can cause this problem.
Some are easy and some are complicated.
Add a comment with more information, including what you have tried so far, for more help

4) Most basic cause for pilot failure: Maybe the thermocouple has gone bad.
Utube has a good video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0aBPsNg6vo

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sounds like the thermocouple:
The thermocouple is a safety device that turns off the gas if there is no pilot light. If you look closely at the burning pilot light, there is a small metal tube that sits directly in the flame, with wires that lead back to the gas valve. The thermocouple generates a small amount of electrical current when heated by the flame. This current keeps the gas safety valve open. If the pilot light gets blown out, the current stops and the gas valve closes. When you light the pilot light, you hold down the over-ride button for about 30 seconds. This allows the gas to flow long enough to heat up the thermocouple and generate current and then you can release the over-ride button and gas will continue to flow. If the thermocouple is defective, then as soon as you release the over-ride button, since there is no electrical current, the gas will stop flowing and the pilot light will go out.

This is a pretty common failure on water heaters and furnaces. Replacement of the thermocouple is fairly simple if you are the handyman type. If not, the thermocouple is a cheap part -- about $10 bucks, but the service call may run you $100 or so. Before you call a serviceman, get all of the brand and model information from the information plate on the heater so he can bring the proper replacement part. And sorry for your trouble. hope this helps:)

The thermocouple is a safety device that turns off the gas if there is no pilot light. If you look closely at the burning pilot light, there is a small metal tube that sits directly in the flame, with wires that lead back to the gas valve. The thermocouple generates a small amount of electrical current when heated by the flame. This current keeps the gas safety valve open. If the pilot light gets blown out, the current stops and the gas valve closes. When you light the pilot light, you hold down the over-ride button for about 30 seconds. This allows the gas to flow long enough to heat up the thermocouple and generate current and then you can release the over-ride button and gas will continue to flow. If the thermocouple is defective, then as soon as you release the over-ride button, since there is no electrical current, the gas will stop flowing and the pilot light will go out.

This is a pretty common failure on water heaters and furnaces. Replacement of the thermocouple is fairly simple if you are the handyman type. If not, the thermocouple is a cheap part -- about $10 bucks, but the service call may run you $100 or so. Before you call a serviceman, get all of the brand and model information from the information plate on the heater so he can bring the proper replacement part. And sorry for your trouble. hope it's summer time where you are:)

you need to replace the thermocouple. This is a common failure. It is the sensor that detects if a flame if present or not. When the thermocouple fails (it is a sensor) it shuts the gas supply off. Shouldn't be to hard of a job. The thermocouple is typically the little metal tube you see in the the pilot light when it is on.

There is a small probe with its tip in the pilot flame called a thermocouple,
this is a flame failure device and shuts off the pilot in the event the flame goes out due to wind water or no gas, this device can become bunrt out usually after many years of use and can normally be replaced, you can purchase a universal thermocouple from most gas appliance retailers

Hello,
Most likely your flame sensor wiring is partially burn't or has an open circuit fault that's giving you the error message. This wire starts at the gas control and ends next to the pilot assembly. It can easily be replaced using a small wrench to unscrew the end connector from the control and the flame sensor rod at the pilot assembly. Call Rheem and see if the water heater is still under warranty, but even if it isn't they can most likely order the part you need for you. The phone # is on one of the data decals on the side of the water heater tank. They will need the model # and serial # to order the part. Be sure you unplug the unit before working on it! Douglas

the pilot is getting too much air and is an indicaiot of dirty or air/ fuel ratio imbalance. The pilot is wimpy and the thermocoupler has alot to do with the gas . Make sure your thermocoupler is on the tip of the flame. You may end up replacing it. because it is showing signs of eminnt failure. When it fals your curners won't fire up. Good luck.

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