Imperial IFS-40 fryer. Pilot is lit, but buriners won't come on when the temp dial is turned from off to any degree.

http://manuals.kdfsi.com/Imperial/fryer_diagrams.pdf

This symptom indicates something wrong with the millivolt system. Start by checking the wires from the thermopile to the gas valve, insuring they are all tight and in place. Check the hi limit thermostat, if you have an ohm meter it should read .1 or .2 across it. With you meter set to dc millivolts, and flame present on the pilot, read across the thermocouple wires (red and white) to see the millivolts generated, with the thermostat off and the gas valve in pilot position you should get approx 600 millivolt plus minus 50. The pilot will have to be on for a minute or so to get maximum millivolts. If the millivolts are correct, hi-limit closed, and all wiring is connected, you likely have a faulty gas valve. If the hi limit reads more than .1 or .2 replace the limit, if you are not getting the millivolts from the thermopile, replace it.

The reason is the pilot generator will hold the safety magnet but it won't operate the solenoid.
It is old and weak.Ain't putting out enough power to operate the solenoid. Get a new generator


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Imperial Model: IFS-40.
The thermostat is either very far out of calibration or has failed, either case it should be relplaced. The Imperial Part # for the thermostat is 1175.

Google 3wire,they should have it.

If the pilot light stays lit then there is no problem with the thermocouple. What you have is a problem with the thermostat or the gas valve operator. try jumping the thermostat wires and see if the gas comes on. If so simply replace the thermostat.

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I had a very simular problem. My fryer would do exactly as you described, but sometimes the pilot light would stay on until the burners tried to re-ignite and then it would go out.
I finally had to call the gas company. They took the pilot light apart and cleaned it. The fryer works perfect now.
Hope this helps!
Ken

Sounds like the pilot is dirty,if you have propane gas this is your issue,replace the pilot either way.