What is a thermocouple on a gas heater?
The thermocouple is a thermoelectric device that shuts off the gas supply to the water heater if the pilot light goes out. Its function is simple but very important for safety. The thermocouple generates a small amount of electrical current when it has been heated by the flame.
Why does the gas pump keep stopping when my tank isn’t?
If it is just one pump that keeps stopping while all others work fine, there are several possibilities. The shut-off mechanism is hypersensitive. It barely stays open, getting shut by the tiniest of perturbations. The pump delivers too fast, causing splashing in the filler neck or in the tank. The fuel is foamy.
What happens when pilot goes out on Kenmore water heater?
The thermocouple will usually shutoff the pilot light after about 20 seconds and you should hear a click. This is a safety device that turns the gas off when the pilot goes out. Most Kenmore units have an electronic or fused thermocouple that must be purchased from Sears. In some cases they may not have them in stock.
Why does the gas nozzle shut off when the gas tank is full?
This causes the spray from the nozzle to no longer be uniform (which is how we design our fuel fillers), causing turbulence in the fuel filler pipe, bouncing back, and momentarily blocking the venturi on the fuel nozzle. Also, one correction to Torch’s article is how a gas nozzle actually shuts off when the fuel tank is full.
Do you have to replace gaskets on Kenmore water heater?
When you replace the thermocouple on a Kenmore water heater you should also replace the combustion chamber gaskets in order to provide an adequate seal. The gaskets can also be purchased from Kenmore.
What causes a Kenmore water heater to shut down?
The gas control has sensed a problem with the flammable vapor sensor. Replace the vapor sensor. If replacing the vapor sensor does not correct the fault, replace the control. Control has sensed an error in the temperature sensing circuit and has shut down the water heater.
Is there an error code on my Kenmore water heater?
These error code explanations can help you diagnose a problem with your Kenmore gas water heater. For repair how-to help, visit the PartsDirect repair help section, which includes repair help for water heaters, major appliances, lawn and garden equipment, garage door openers, vacuum cleaners and more.
What to look for in a Kenmore gas water heater?
Ensure the water heater is properly grounded and operating at 115-120 volts. Check the flame rod position and make sure it’s not oxidized, broken or disconnected. Ensure the igniter and flame rod ceramic insulator is not cracked or broken.
What to do if your water heater has a gas failure?
Gas control failure, replace the gas control valve assembly. Check that the gas supply to the water heater is on. Ensure the water heater is properly grounded and operating at 115-120 volts. Check the flame rod position and make sure it’s not oxidized, broken or disconnected.
