What Do I Do If My Pilot Light Goes Out on My Propane Gas Furnace?

One of the primary reasons a propane gas furnace stops working is because its pilot light has gone out.

Why does that happen?

Pilot light failure is far more common on older furnaces – in large part due to the fact that many newer gas furnaces have electronic ignitions (which improves efficiency) rather than a pilot light.

Pilot light failure can happen for many reasons, including:

1. Accumulated dust and debris – Dirt buildup can clog the intake valve where the pilot light lives, making it difficult for the flame to “breathe.”
2. A damaged thermocouple – A thermocouple is a device that changes its output in response to a shift in temperature; on your gas furnace, it’s used as a safety measure to cut off gas supply. A damaged thermocouple must be repaired or replaced by a qualified technician.
3. A weak flame – If your pilot light flame is yellow, you probably have a leak somewhere in your system. If your furnace detects a leak, your pilot light will shut off automatically for safety reasons.

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