Bradford White Water Heater pilot light not working?

Have you ever faced the problem of your Bradford White Water Heater pilot light not working? If yes, you know how frustrating it can be to have no hot water in your home. The pilot light is a small flame that ignites the main burner of your water heater. It is essential for the proper functioning of your water heater. However, sometimes the pilot light may fail to light or stay lit due to various reasons.

In this blog post, I will show you how to troubleshoot and fix this common issue. I will also explain some of the possible causes of this problem, such as no gas flow, faulty igniter, or blocked pilot tube.

Simple steps to Fix Bradford White Water Heater pilot light

Step 1: Check the gas supply and the gas shut-off valve

Make sure the gas valve is open and the gas pressure is adequate. If the gas valve is closed, turn it to the open position and try to light the pilot again⁴⁵.

Step 2: Check the pilot button and the gas control knob. Make sure you are pressing the pilot button fully and holding it for at least 30 seconds. Also, make sure the gas control knob is set to the pilot position and not to the off position¹⁴.

Step 3: Check the piezo igniter and the pilot electrode

The piezo igniter is a device that creates a spark to light the pilot. The pilot electrode is a metal rod that carries the spark to the pilot orifice. If either of these parts is faulty, you may need to replace them. To test the piezo igniter, press the pilot button and listen for a clicking sound. If you don’t hear a click, the igniter may be defective. To test the pilot electrode, use a multimeter to measure its resistance. If the resistance is too high or too low, the electrode may be defective.

Step 4: Check the pilot orifice and the pilot tube

The pilot orifice is a small hole that allows gas to flow into the pilot flame. The pilot tube is a metal tube that connects the pilot orifice to the gas control valve. If either of these parts is clogged with dirt or carbon deposits, you may need to clean them or replace them. To clean the pilot orifice, use a thin wire or a needle to poke through the hole and remove any debris. To clean the pilot tube, use compressed air or a pipe cleaner to blow through it and remove any blockage.

Step 5: Check the thermocouple and the ECO switch.

The thermocouple is a device that senses the temperature of the pilot flame and sends a signal to the gas control valve to keep it open. The ECO switch is a safety device that shuts off the gas supply if the water temperature exceeds a certain limit.

If either of these parts is defective, you may need to replace them. To test the thermocouple, use a multimeter to measure its voltage output when exposed to a flame. If the voltage is too low or zero, the thermocouple may be defective.

To test the ECO switch, use a multimeter to measure its resistance when cooled down. If the resistance is infinite or very high, the ECO switch may be defective.

Conclusion

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