Changing A Thermocouple

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If a pilot won’t light or won’t stay lit chances are you need to replace the thermocouple. This is a very common repair; a hardware store or home center will have the part you need. Servicemen will usually charge plenty to do it but you can install one yourself for a few dollars if you’re willing to get a little dirty and perhaps twist yourself into awkward positions. Turn off the gas knob and shut off electrical power to the burner and wait ten minutes for any gas to dissipate. Use a flashlight to locate the thermocouple. It’s a copper tube with fittings at each end. Using pliers or a small wrench, unscrew one end from the control valve and unscrew the nut that holds the other end to a bracket, this part gets heated by the pilot flame. Carefully note where the new thermocouple will need to go. Take the old thermocouple with you to buy a replacement of the same size. Bend the tube carefully as you position it and tighten the nuts on each end. Relight the pilot.

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