A.O. Smith
Pilot Safety Circuit Failure
A.O. Smith gas water heater pilot will not stay lit
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Weak or failed thermocouple, Dirty pilot orifice, Drafts blowing out pilot, Faulty gas control valve
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: If you smell gas, stop and call your gas supplier.
- 1. Follow lighting instructions: Use the lighting procedure on the heater label, holding the pilot button long enough (30–60 seconds) to heat the thermocouple.
- 2. Clean pilot: If the pilot flame is small or yellow, have the pilot orifice cleaned by a technician.
- 3. Replace thermocouple: If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the button, replace the thermocouple with an OEM part.
- 4. Gas control: If a new thermocouple does not solve the issue, the gas control valve may be defective and should be replaced.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
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