Reliance Water Heaters 196296-001 Troubleshooting Guidelines, Problem, Cause, Solution, Stay Lit

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES

These guidelines should be utilized by a qualified service agent.

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.
	Thermal expansion in closed water system.	Install thermal expansion tank (DO NOT plug T&P valve).
LEAKING 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.
PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT	Main gas supply off.	Turn on main gas Shut-off valve.
	Thermocouple malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly and/or thermocouple.
	Match not close to pilot	Locate pilot, move match closer.
BURNER WILL NOT	Thermocouple malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly and/or thermocouple.
STAY LIT	Defective Gas Control.	Replace Gas Control.
	Dirty pilot burner.	Clean pilot assembly.
PILOT OUTAGE	Thermocouple malfunction.	Replace pilot assembly and/or thermocouple.
	Thermocouple tip is not in contact with pilot flame.	Insert thermocouple correctly.
	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.
	Incoming water is unusually cold.	Allow more time for heater to re-heat.
HOT WATER
	Leaking hot water pipes or fixtures.	Have plumber check and repair leaks.
	High temperature limit switch activated.	Contact a service agency 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 OR	Sediment or calcium in bottom of heater tank.	Clean sediment from tank. Refer to DRAINING
RUMBLING		instructions in Maintenance section of manual.
SOOTING	Improper combustion.	No adjustment available. Contact a service agency
		to determine cause.
	Lack of supply air.
VENT GAS ODORS	Improperly installed vent piping.	Contact a service agency to determine cause.
	Downdraft.
	Poor combustion.

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