Kenmore
Gas Control Valve or Thermostat Failure
Kenmore gas water heater has no hot water; pilot is lit but main burner does not come on
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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 valve thermostat, broken internal valve mechanism, clogged burner orifice, ECO (energy cut-off) tripped
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn gas control to OFF before removing burner components. Allow the heater to cool.
- Verify pilot: Confirm the pilot flame is strong and stable.
- Temperature setting: Ensure the thermostat dial on the gas control is set above the minimum setting.
- Burner cleaning: Remove the burner assembly and clean the burner and orifice with compressed air. Reinstall carefully.
- ECO status: Some Kenmore gas controls have an internal ECO that trips permanently when overheated. If the reset is not possible and the control shows signs of ECO trip, the gas control valve must be replaced.
- Replace gas control valve: If burner still does not light, have a qualified technician replace the gas control valve and check for proper operation.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Gas Control Valve / Thermostat
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