I have a Whirlpool model N50T61-403 water heater. I have no status light on the Honeywell controller, & no pilot

SOURCE: whirlpool water heater pilot light does not stay lite

I have a Lowe's Whirlpool water heater. I've experienced the same problems as I've seen described here. My pilot light started going out several times a day. It was not such a big deal, the tank is well insulated so the water would stay warm - I'd just re-light the pilot before going to bed and before going to work. That worked well for about three days, but the problem got progressively worse until it just would not light at all. I replaced the thermocouple with a Honeywell universal thermocouple that I got at Home Depot - that did not solve the problem. I'm very handy, so I decided instead of going through warranty service and having to wait three or four days for replacement parts, I'd buy a new gas valve at Lowes and try that. It cost $54.00 and it worked. By the way, I put the original thermocouple back in and the pilot light stays lit - it was definitely the gas valve and not the thermocouple in my case. It was a real pain to do since I had to drain the tank, but it only took about three hours total. From what I've read, these things last anywhere between six months and two years. That's ridiculous, but at least I have hot water now. If you are reading this because you are considering purchasing a Lowes hot water heater, DON'T!!! I started my search for a replacement gas valve at Home Depot, but they don't stock them. Lowes had 8 on the shelf. That tells you something right there - the water heaters Home Depot stocks don't need to have the gas valves replaced before the tank wears out - there's no demand for the valves so Home Depot doesn't stock them. Lowes probably sells 8 of them a week - all the boxes were shiny and new, not dirty and dusty like some items get when they sit around in home improvement stores.

SOURCE: gas water heater kenmore model pilot will not stay lite

I have the same problem. Water heater operates on a very simple principle. of thermo-mechanical feed-back and response. In my case, I have a Kenmore Power Miser 6, NG heater with an electronic pilot ignition system. The heater is just over one year old and last month (conveniently just after the 12 month service warranty expired) the pilot light started extinguishing on a very regular basis. I find it interesting that the very problem I am experiencing, is happening to other Kenmore owners (victims). The solution can be found in replacing one of two possible components; the pilot assembly or the gas valve manifold. The price of DIY pilot assembly replacement is approx. $60 . The valve component is significantly higher. Water heaters are designed and built to provide years of trouble-free reliable service. This is the first Kenmore product I have owned. From a customer perspective, with regard to product performance, Sears/Kenmore needs to take a strong look at their supplier quality. Oh, by the way, contacting Sears for remedial relief only managed to frustrate and infuriate me. You see, I am in Quality for a world-class aircraft company. I understand what ethical steps are required to satisfy a valued customer. I plan on ripping out the defective unit this weekend and replacing it with a reliable Home depot special. At least with HD, if the heater fails to perform , I can return it. Hey Sears in Chicago, don't come crying to the consumer when you are looking for the trendy "bail out". Signed- "Burned Out" in La Habra, California.

SOURCE: pilot light going out on whirlpool hotwater heater-Fgif403t Flam

This is not a solution to that problem, but the dripping water is just condensation from the cold water in the tank. Like a coke can on a warm day. It goes away after everything warms up. It is more than likely a gas valve, but I have fooled mine into working by not turning the valve all the way up to the full on position.

SOURCE: AO Smith water heater won't fire.

I bet your thermo couple is bad or your ports are clogged? How old is the unit?

SOURCE: Atwood water heater - pilot light and flame malfunction

Michael,
The thermocouple sensor may not be in the best position to sense that the pilot is lit.
Adjust the thermocouple mount or simply bend the thermocouple "wire" so that the pilot flame is touching the tip.