A.O. Smith 186589-004, Instruction Manual

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26
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDELINES
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE(S) CORRECTION
BURNER WILL NOT IGNITE
1. Pilot not lit
2. Thermostat set too low
3. No gas
4. Dirt in the gas lines
5. Pilot line clogged
6. Main burner line clogged
7. Defective thermocouple
8. Defective gas control/thermostat
9. Heater installed in a con
fi ned area
1. Light pilot
2. Turn temp. dial to desired temperature
3. Check with gas utility company
4. Notify utility-install trap in gas line
5. Clean, locate source and correct
6. Clean, locate source and correct
7. Replace thermocouple
8. Replace gas control/thermostat
9. Provide fresh air ventilation
SMELLY WATER 1. Sulfur in the water 1. Replace the anode with a special anode
BURNER FLAME YELLOW-
LAZY
1. Insuf fi cient secondary air
2. Low gas pressure
3. Flue clogged
4. Main burner line clogged
5. Heater installed in a con
fi ned area
6. Obstruction in main burner ori fi ce
1. Provide ventilation to water heater
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Clean, locate source and correct
4. Clean, locate source and correct
5. Proper fresh air ventilation
6. Clean or replace ori
fi ce
PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT OR
REMAIN LIT
1. Air in gas line
2. No gas
3. Dirt in gas lines
4. Pilot line or ori
fi ce clogged
5. Thermocouple connection loose
6. Defective thermocouple
7. Cold drafts
8. Gas control/thermostat ECO switch open
9. Door-mount temperature cut-off (TCO)
switch activated.
10. Defective igniter or electrode
11. Flammable vapors incident, Flame Guard
TM
function activated
12. Low gas pressure
13. Improper installation of the quick connects
in the TCO-switch, loose connection or inter-
rupted gas control leads.
1. Bleed the air from the gas line
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Notify utility-install dirt trap in gas line
4. Clean, locate source and correct
5. Finger tighten: then 1/4 turn with wrench
6. Replace thermocouple
7. Locate source and correct
8. Replace gas control/thermostat
9. Call a quali
fi ed service technician
10. Replace igniter or pilot assembly
11. Replace water heater, eliminate
fl ammable
vapors source. Call a quali fi ed service tech-
nician
12. Check with gas utility company
13. Reset the TCO - switch. Check if the quick
connects are fi rmly inserted on TCO switch
contacts.
HIGH OPERATION COSTS
1. Thermostat set too high
2. Sediment or lime in tank
3. Water heater too small for job
4. Wrong piping connections
5. Leaking faucets
6. Gas leaks
7. Wasted hot water
8. Long runs of exposed piping
9. Hot water piping in exposed wall
10. Leaks or cracks in dip tube
1. Set temperature dial to lower setting
2. Drain/Flush-Provide water treatment if need-
ed
3. Install adequate size heater
4. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
5. Repair faucets
6. Check with utility-repair at once
7. Advise customer
8. Insulate piping
9. Insulate piping
10. Check dip tube. Replace if faulty
PILOT FLAME TOO SMALL
1. Pilot line or ori fi ce clogged
2. Low gas pressure
3. Defective pilot
1. Clean, locate source and correct
2. Check with gas utility company
3. Replace pilot
INSUFFICIENT HOT WATER
1. Thermostat set too low
2. Sediment or lime in tank
3. Water heater too small
4. Wrong piping connections
5. Leaking faucets
6. Wasted hot water
7. Long runs of exposed piping
8. Hot water piping in outside wall
9. Low gas pressure
1. Turn temperature dial to desired setting
2. Drain/
fl ush-provide water treatment if need-
ed
3. Install adequate size heater
4. Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold inlet
5. Repair faucets
6. Advise customer
7. Insulate piping
8. Insulate piping
9. Check with gas utility company