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    jacl60's Avatar
    jacl60 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Sep 12, 2007, 07:59 AM
    How do I light the pilot on a gas furnace?
    Yesterday I turned on the furnace and it worked. Today I just hear a click when I turn the thermostat, but no ignition. What should I do?:mad: :mad:
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
    Expert
    		  
    #2

    Sep 12, 2007, 09:00 AM
    Call a technician t be on the safe side, I wouldn't light the pilot.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #3

    Sep 12, 2007, 09:21 AM
    How old is your furnace, what brand/model? Are you sure you have a pilot light and not electronic ignition?
    labman's Avatar
    labman Posts: 10,580, Reputation: 551
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Sep 12, 2007, 09:27 AM
    Best thing to do is to browse through sticky at the top of the forum. Among other things it has a excellent explanation of lighting a pilot light.
    acetc's Avatar
    acetc Posts: 1,004, Reputation: 79
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #5

    Sep 12, 2007, 04:29 PM
    If your furnace has a standing pilot then it is a simple thing for the home owner to lite the pilot on the furnace ,stove or water heater. The gas valve is designed to be placed in the pilot only position to lite the pilot without the main burner igniting. If the standing pilot will not stay lit it may be a faulty thermocouple. If the furnace has electronic ignition you may have to call a service person to check it out because it requires training in the proper method of trouble shooting. Good luck, Mike
    tickle's Avatar
    tickle Posts: 23,796, Reputation: 2674
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    #6

    Sep 12, 2007, 04:46 PM
    acetc, I live in a small town and don't get charged for that service. I think it has only happened twice in the last eight years. The last time was because of a flood in the basement and I didn't really feel like I wanted to fool around with the smell of gas and no pilot lite. I would rather be feel safe at 65 and keep my house standing. This lady is not without a good head on her shoulders.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
    		  
    #7

    Sep 12, 2007, 05:01 PM
    It's amazing what scares people. It's better to be scared though.

    Last winter I replaced and calibrated a thermostat on an antique stove (50 years old). That was fun. The stove's pilot has been de-activated for years and I de-activated it on this stat too. It lacks one safety. If you lose gas pressure (Think line fault), the stove will shut off, but if the gas is turned back on, gas emits into the room without being lit. Oops.

    The gas dryer is 39 years old. The heater got replaced after 46 years. The water heater, about every 12.
    woodwardwoodworks's Avatar
    woodwardwoodworks Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #8

    Nov 25, 2007, 02:06 PM
    THANKS Evrybody,

    My neighbor came over and got it started. It was simple enough- I figured there most not be an electronic pilot because 1. It a pretty old furnace and 2. There was ticking sound while the button was held down in the pilot position. WE just held a match to it and everything is going well.


    Alan
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
    Heating & Air Conditioning Expert
    		  
    #9

    Nov 25, 2007, 02:22 PM
    Bake your neighbor some cookies. It is always nice to pay back.
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