I just got the tea maker and I plug it in, the light comes on and shuts off a few seconds later. Does not begin its brewing process.

sounds like theres a short somewhere.rechech any safety switches or take it in to a repair shop

Hello, I have worked on many bunn and other make ice tea makers but am not too familiar with this one, but as is common to all there should be 2 timers, one for the hot one for the cold. They are normally located under the top panel or inside the front panel. for 3 gallons you should be brewing 64oz of hot water through the 1oz tea bags (3-4) depending on taste as a rule of thumb. Please feel free to comment again if you have any other questions. Good Luck! Mike

Try to do that

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1. Pour 1 quart (32 oz.) of undiluted white household vinegar into the water reservoir.
2. Place the pitcher lid on the pitcher. ...
3. Push the "on" button to begin brewing cycle. ...
4. Re-plug the cord. ...
5. When your machine shuts off, unplug the cord, remove the pitcher.

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TAKE IT BACK

Cuisinart Coffeemaker Decalcification Process

Run 2 cups distilled white vinegar and 2 cups water through the system - brew it like it was regular coffee. Then run plain water through the coffemaker to rinse the vinegar out and make sure the decalcification was successful. Repeat as needed. Don't forget to remove the charcoal water filters first.

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

Specifics may have changed for newer models -- we've had ours and used it happily for many years -- but the basics are simple.
(1) Fill the pitcher with water up to the "water" line and pour that water into the top of the appliance.
(2) Fill the pitcher with ice up to the "ice" line.
(3) Place a coffee filter and a family-sized tea bag into the top of the brew/steep basket and put the cover on that basket.
(4) Put the brew/steep basket on top of the pitcher.
(5) Slide the pitcher next to the appliance, such that the hot water exit port on the side of the appliance lines up with the entry port on the brew/steep basket.
(6) Press the "on" switch on the front of the appliance and wait for the tea to brew.
(7) When the brewing/steeping process is over, the appliance turns itself off.  Replace the brew/steep basket with the pitcher lid for pouring and storage.  Discard the tea bag and coffee filter, and rinse the brew/steep basket.
(8) Enjoy your tea! 

Fill the pitcher with water to the water level park on the pitcher and pour into water intake in the top of the tea brewer.
Fill pitcher to ice level mark (if there isn't one, put in about 2 - 3 trays).
Make sure that the brew basket lever is closed by pushing in then down.
Put 6 - 10 regular tea bags in brew basket and place brew basket on top of pitcher.
Slide the pitcher with the brew basket under the machine where the water comes out and make sure it is snug. Turn machine on.
When the machine is done brewing, the unit will shut off automatically.
Carefully slide the pitcher away from the machine and release the lever. This will let the tea pour into the pitcher.
That's it! Just don't put the pitcher, lid or brew basket in the dishwasher - that's how I ruined my first one.