I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?

Thanks

"dave" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?

Bad thermocouple, I'd guess.

"dave" wrote in message
ups.com...
I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?

Thanks


First thing to do would be to clean the pilot burner. Basic style fireplaces
use a powerpile generator to create millivoltage to power the control
circuit. A low pilot flame can result in low power to the control resulting
in intermittent opening or complete failure to open.

On 7 Nov 2006 13:40:13 -0800, "dave" wrote:

I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?

Thanks

I replaced a switch this year in a house we sold. I could "rock" the
switch with a little pressure and get the fire place to light. It may
be as simple as changing the switch or checking the wires to the
switch.

--
Oren

"Well, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it happens, it happens constantly."

dave wrote:
I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?

Thanks

dave wrote:
I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?

Thanks

Dave:
I bet the Ignitor-Flame Rod assembly has seen its days. I have a gas
fireplace also and the ignitor has got to be replaced every few years.
They can be ordered at arnoldservice.com. Cost plus shipping is about
$47.00. It's best to have a spare on hand. You will need to know what
the gas valve is before ordering it.

Gary

Charles Schuler wrote:
"dave" wrote in message
ups.com...

I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?


Bad thermocouple, I'd guess.


Hmmm,
Didn't he say pilot is lit?

Not only is the pilotl it, it is a larger flame than in the past. I
always shut if off in the summer.
Dave

Hmmm,
Didn't he say pilot is lit?

Tony Hwang wrote:
Charles Schuler wrote:
"dave" wrote in message
ups.com...

I have a gas fire place that is operated by a switch (light switch).
It worked fine until last year. I have the pilot lit, and when I turn
on my switch, nothing happens. I have to open up the lower louver and
hit the red ignitor switch a few times.
Last year, I only had to do this the first time after turning my pilot
back on. So far this year, I have had to do it every time.
Is this a simple fix, or do I need a fixit guy?


Bad thermocouple, I'd guess.


Hmmm,
Didn't he say pilot is lit?

Hmmm,
Didn't he say pilot is lit?

The thermocouple sits in the flame of the pilot light. If there is no pilot
light, the thermocouple is cold and the gas solenoid valve will not open.
It's a safety feature to prevent the gas from being turned on when the pilot
light has gone out.