Question by DutchGirlinOregon: After turning off and on gas to install a grill, other appliances work, but heater pilot won’t light?!?
We turned the gas off to install a valve for a gas bbq on the end of a hose that was already built into the house. That went well. We turned the gas back on, and some other gas related things came on, and the BBQ worked, but our (less than a year old) water heater will not re-light. Our fireplace also does not work.
We did everything according to instructions, set to ‘pilot’, hold one button down while pushing the ignitor, keep the former button pushed, nothing. There’s no spark or anything, it simply will not light for even a second.
Since everything else works fine (except fireplace), the gas can’t be the problem. The water heater was working perfectly right before we turned it off, and the water heater is only a few months old, and was professionally installed.
Any suggestions before we pay someone to come out and fix this in three seconds or something?
Thank you!!
Best answer:
Answer by Bid4needs
Couple things: 1) most utility companies will check this stuff out for free. 2) most newer gas appliances do not have a “pilot” like they used to. They are now electronic ignition, yet the valves on said units still have a pilot function. In these cases that function is not used. Turn the valve all the way to on and turn the temp up to see if it sparks.
3) speaking of sparks – you mentioned it does not spark. If it used to spark, then it is indeed an electronic ignition – sparking only when there is a demand for gas. Pilots will not spark, but will simply put out a small amount of gas for you to light with a match or lighter.
Hope that helps.
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