Kenmore Troubleshooting Guide for Water Heater Model 153.339462

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE (Continued)

These guidelines should be used by a qualified service agent. Call Sears Service at 1-800-4-MY-HOME®(1-800-469-4663)

for assistance. Inform the associate that this is a “Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant” Product.

Problem	Cause	Solution
	Improperly sealed, hot or cold supply connection,	Tighten threaded connections.
WATER LEAKS	relief valve, drain valve, or thermostat threads.
	Leakage from other appliances or water lines.	Inspect other appliances near water heater.
	Condensation of flue products.	Refer to CONDENSATION.
LEAKING T&P VALVE	Thermal expansion in closed water system.	Install thermal expansion tank (DO NOT plug T&P valve).
	Improperly seated valve.	Check relief valve for proper operation
		(DO NOT plug T&P valve).
SMELLY ODORS	High sulfate or mineral content in water supply.	Drain and flush heater thoroughly, then refill.
	Bacteria in water supply.	Chlorinate or aerate water supply.
	Gas control knob not positioned correctly.	Refer to LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS.
	Main gas supply off.	Turn on main gas shutoff valve.
	Igniter tip more than 1/8” from pilot hood.	Adjust igniter tip.
	Thermocouple malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly.
	Thermocouple TCO malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly.
	Melted insulation on igniter wire or shorting	Contact Sears Service to determine cause.
PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT	of igniter wire.
	High ambient room temperature.	Contact Sears Service to determine cause.
	Wire disconnected from spark igniter.	Reconnect wire connector to spark igniter.
	Broken electrode or electrical wire.	Replace pilot assembly.
	Piezo Igniter generator fails to operate or	Replace Piezo Igniter generator.
	malfunctions.
	Thermocouple TCO malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly.
	High ambient room temperature.	Contact Sears Service to
		determine cause.
BURNER WILL NOT	Dirty or clogged air intake screen.	Clean and reinstall air intake screen.
STAY LIT	Flame arrestor openings blocked.	Contact Sears Service to
		determine cause.
	Defective Gas Control.	Replace Gas Control.
	Dirty pilot burner.	Clean pilot assembly.
	Dirty or clogged air intake screen.	Clean and reinstall air intake screen.
PILOT OUTAGE	Thermocouple tip is not in contact with pilot flame.	Insert thermocouple correctly.
	Thermocouple malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly.
	Thermocouple TCO malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly.
	Defective Gas Control.	Replace Gas Control.
	Heater not lit or thermostat not on.	Refer to LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS.
	Thermostat set too low.	Refer to TEMPERATURE REGULATION.
	Heater undersized.	Reduce hot water use.
NOT ENOUGH	Low gas pressure.	Contact your gas supplier.
HOT WATER	Incoming water is unusually cold.	Allow more time for heater to re-heat.
	Leaking hot water pipes or fixtures.	Have plumber check and repair leaks.
	High temperature limit switch activated.	Contac tSears Service to
		determine cause.
WATER TOO HOT	Thermostat set too high.	Refer to TEMPERATURE REGULATION.
WATER HEATER SOUNDS	Condensation dripping on burner.	Refer to CONDENSATION.
SIZZLING - RUMBLING	Sediment or calcium in bottom of heater tank.	Clean sediment from tank. Refer to DRAINING
		instructions in Maintenance section of manual.
SOOTING	Improper combustion.	No adjustment available. Contact Sears Service
		to determine cause.
	Lack of supply air.
VENT GAS ODORS	Improperly installed vent piping.	Contact Sears Service to determine cause.
	Downdraft.
	Poor combustion.

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