Despite my disclaimer to knowing anything much about water heaters, WTFGUY writes to ask:
I must say that the video and trouble fix methods I’ve read here are brilliant and I held faith in their effect … but, no worky for me and mine. 1 point to note – the status light is not, will not, does not, down right WON’T.. blink, shine or pretend to light up.. EVER ! Am I missing something?
OK other readers, sorry to disappoint if you were hoping for something amusing, but I do have a real answer for this and I need to say it because it’s maybe a danger situation. The circuit board gets its power from the pilot light, via a thermocouple or some such thing — something that generates a little electricity from the heat difference between sticking your thumb into a flame and having the other thumb not in a flame.
So if the light doesn’t blink at all, this suggests one of three things:
- The circuit board is broken.
- The thumb is somehow not reaching the flame of the pilot light so it’s not generating any power (or else the thumb is somehow else broken)
- The pilot light is not lit.
This last possibility is concerning, because it suggests there may be a little natural gas floating out of the burner and not getting burned up, which is probably bad for your health and may lead to a massive explosion (which come to think of it is also bad for your health and may lead to increased insurance rates).
Please check whether the pilot light is lit — you should be able to see it burning through a tiny window — and if it isn’t, turn off the gas valve, exit the premises, and call for a pro.