White Rodgers/Robertshaw Gas Valve Troubleshooting Chart

SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE ACTION

Pilot Will Not Light

1. No incominggas or too lowgas
pressure.
2. Gascontrol knob set to wrong position.
3. Pilot light button not being fu lly
depressed when attempting to light pilot.
4. Pilot orificeor pilot tube is obstructed or
kinked.
5.Pilot electrode not sparkingto pilot.
6.Piezo igniter notfunctioning.
1. Poor thermocouple connectionat
combination thermostat/gas valve.
2.The rmocouple not fully engage d in pilot
assemblybracket.
3. Pilot flame is not fullyenveloping the
thermocouple “hot” junction.
4.Weak or defective thermocouple.
5. Open ECOon combination thermostat/
gas valve.
6. Defective magnet in combination
thermostat/gas valve.
7Rese ttable thermal sw itch has opened.

Pilot Will Not

stay lit

when button is

released

Pilot will light but

the main burner

will not come on

1. Combination thermostat/gas valve set too
low fordesired water temperature.
2. Combinationthermostat/gas valve
temperature issatisfied.
3. Insufficient gas supply or lowgas
pressure.
4. Combinationthermostat/gas valve has
wide differential or is out of calibration.

Pilot goes out

periodically (after

heating cycles,

once a day, once

a week etc.)

1. Insufficient combus tion air supply.
2. Incorrect, clogged ventsystem/ vent
terminal or location.
3. Inconsistent gas supply or gas pressure.

Not enough hot

water

1. Combination thermostat/gas valve set too
low fordesired water temperature.
2. Cold inlet water temperature isvery cold.
3. High demand periods.
4. Incorrectly sized water heater for
application.
5. Combination thermostat/gas valve is out
of calibration/not functi oning.
6. Out of spec dip tube is diluting hot water
withcold water.
1. Turn on gas supply and/ or check line
pressure.
2. Review lighting instru ction. Set
combination/thermostat
gas valve to correct position.
3. Review lighting instru ction. Fully depre ss
pilot lighting button.
4. Clean, repair or repl ace.
5.Ver ify correct electro de position. Replac e
pilot assembly.
6. Replace Piezo igniter.
1. Check connection at c ombination
thermostat/gasvalve. Proper tightness
should be finger tightplus ¼ turn.
2. Inspect thermocouple to ens ure that it is
fully engaged into pilot bracket.
3. Adjust tip of thermocou ple to be fully
engulfed by pilot flame.
4. Check thermocouple an d replace if
necessary.
5. Check ECO continuity a nd replace
combination thermostat/ gas valve if
necessary.
6. Check magnet operatio n and replace
combination thermostat/ gas valve if
necessary.
7. Determine cause of swit ch activation. To
reset,depress button onresettable thermal
switch located on inner door.
1. Adjust temperature dial on combination
thermostat/gas valve.
2. Check temperature di al setting on
combination thermostat/gas valve.
3. Check gas supply and l ine pressure.
4.Ch eck combination thermos tat/gas valve
for properoperation, replace if
necessary.
1. Verify adequatecombustion airis available
to the unit. Check and clear Jacket slot
openings of any dirt, dus t, restrictions o r
other obstructions. Inspe ct flame arrestor
plate and clean with stiff bristled brush
and/orvacuum to remove any debris
accumulation.
2.Ch eck venting for proper sizing and proper
operation
3. Check gas supply and l ine pressure.
1. Check dial on combin ation thermostat/ gas
valve.
2.Extremely coldwater going into theheater
will decreasethe amountof hot water
produced. It may benecessaryto temper
incoming water supply.
3. Adjust high demand usa ge.
4. Contact Plumbing professional.
5.Ch eck combination thermos tat/gas valve
for properoperation, replace if
necessary.
6. Inspectdip tube and replace if necessary.

SERVICE

PROCEDURE

1. See Service Procedure
RG-V, Page 12.
4. See Service Procedure
RG-III, Page 10.
5. See Service Procedure
RG-III, Page 10.
6.See Service Procedure
RG-IV, Page 11.
4.See Service Procedure
RG-II, Page8
5. See Service Procedure
RG-V, Page 14
6. See Service Procedure
RG-V, Page 13
2. See Installation&
operationmanual.
3. See Service Procedure
RG-V, Page 12
4. See Service Procedure
RG-V, Page 12
1. See Service Procedure
RG-VIII, Page 22
3. See Service Procedure
RG-V, Page 12
5. See Service Procedure
RG-V, Page 12
6. See Service Procedure
RG-IX, Page23
Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant Water Heaters
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4
4