John Wood Main Burner Ignition Failure

John Wood gas water heater burner does not ignite even though pilot is lit and stable

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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

Defective gas control thermostat, Broken or clogged main burner orifice, Incorrect thermostat setting, High-limit ECO device tripped

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn gas control to OFF and allow the heater to cool before removing burner components.

  • 1. Verify thermostat setting: Ensure the temperature dial is not set to VACATION or the lowest setting. Increase slightly and wait for a click indicating a call for heat.
  • 2. Check ECO status: On some models, a tripped ECO (energy cut-off) will prevent burner operation. If the ECO is non-resettable, the gas control must be replaced.
  • 3. Inspect burner orifice: Remove the burner assembly and check the main orifice for spider webs or debris. Clean with compressed air only.
  • 4. Replace gas control: If the pilot is strong, the burner and orifice are clean, and there is still no main burner gas flow, replace the gas control valve/thermostat with the correct John Wood part.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Gas Control Valve/Thermostat
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