If the pilot light won't remain lit after you release pilot button you will need to replace the thermocouple. If you do not know how to do this it is generally a fairly easy job. First locate lines going from gas valve into burner compartment. There should be three, one to pilot light one to main burner and one to thermocouple. The thermocouple line is usually copper color and mounts directly in front of the pilot light. They usually slip into a friction fit holder so you disconnect line from gas valve and pull gently on line to remove. Measure length and get a new thermocouple at most hardware stores. If you can reuse the old holder then install thermocouple by inserting it into holder and seating it as far forwards as it will go. If you damage holder on removal there should be a new one with new thermocouple. Try to center thermocouple in pilot flame. Reconnect to gas valve and light according to instructions. I hope this helps you. Thanks
SOURCE: Pilot light on pool heater
One possible problem to that is a bad pilot generator, not a real common problem but often happens. To test the pilot generator, unhook the to wires that comes from the pilot assembly and hook to the gas valve. Wedge a screwdriver or something in the knob that you push down when regularly lighting the pilot so that gas will continue to flow to the pilot, if you dont hold it down it wont stay lit. Use a multimeter set on DC voltage and put prongs on the ends of the wires. If it is above 600 then it is good, a little bit below will still allow it to work, the pilot only needs like 100 millivolts to stay lit. If it is somewhere down around 500 or lower, then it should be replaced. Another cause, if the pilot generator is not bad, is that a switch in the circuit could be acting up and drawing all of the millivolts from the source before it gets back to the gas valve, in turn the pilot is not supplied with proper millivoltage to stay lit. This usually is the case if you use your heater and it works for a while but then shuts off, and the pilot goes off with it. You can test each switch without removing wires. Each switch should use 5-10 millivolts max. Put one prong on a ground, or just stick it in the ground, the guys i work with dont believe me that it works. And test one side of the switch with the other prong and then the other side to measure the millivolt drop across the switch. If all switches are good. Bad news, probably a gas valve issue. Although take the time to inspect the connections made at the gas valve and all other switches for that matter. A little rust, a little corrosion, can eat up millivoltage very quickly and this can be fix by using some sand paper or emory cloth to clean the terminals. Also check for loose connections, if you can wiggle the wire where it is connecting to the terminal, take it off and crimp it down a little tighter with some channel locks or something. Millivolt heaters are a pain in the but, that is why everybody makes and sells electronic ignition ones now.
SOURCE: Patio Heater pilot lights won't stay lit
crappy pilot flame (not properly heating the thermocouple), bad thermocouple, thermocouple loose where it screws into the pilot safety valve, bad safety valve magnet.
One or more of those is the problem.
Oh...there is also a saftey switch...in case it tips over. It will also cause the pilot to not stay lit (if the switch or wires that go to i are faulty)
SOURCE: Unable To Keep Pilot Light Lit!
Clean or change out the pilot assembly. Check for a lose connection of the flame rod at both the pilot assembly as well as the gas valve.
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