I have a white rodgers thermostat model # 1F86-244 that (on-line) it says it's not programmable. But. One web site said that by putting the control button in the off position (for heat) and by pressing the up & down arrows together you can program it. It is not coming on, and I think that is the problem.

How can I tell what the thermostat is saying when I push the up & down buttons together to change the settings or just completely reset it?

It seems like it either won't come on at all. Or sometimes it comes on when it wants to.

Thanks!

That thermostat is not programmable. Here's a link to the operation manual:
http://www.emersonclimate.com/en-US/resources/faq/white_rodgers/Documents/0037-6174.pdf