Troubleshoot Water Heater AND Honeywell Gas Valve | Step-by-Step

Water heater not working? Water heater won't light? I'll show you how to troubleshoot and diagnose the problem with your water heater and Honeywell gas valve. I tested the igniter, the thermopile, the thermal switch and the pilot valve and the main burner valve on the Honeywell gas valve, and all were in working order. The problem was the Honeywell gas valve control board had failed. I replaced the control board, and fixed my water heater.

If you'd like to donate:

NOTE: Before purchasing a part, confirm the part works on your water heater model.
eBay is a good source to find pre-owned and new Honeywell control boards and gas valves.
(If you have a Reliance water heater and need a thermopile, it's cheaper to purchase the entire pilot assembly, which includes the thermopile, pilot and igniter, on Amazon than it is to purchase the thermopile alone. The assembly includes the pilot tube.)
I used a Harbor Freight 7 Function Digital Multimeter. It's about $7.00 at Harbor Freight.
Dollar Tree has 9 volt batteries for a dollar.

How to test a water heater igniter
How to test a water heater thermopile
How to test a water heater thermal switch
How to test a water heater gas valve
How to test a water heater pilot valve
How to test a water heater main burner valve

//DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description area contain affiliate links. If you click on one of the links and purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

[andybayak]

If you have this issue with this valve DO EVERYTHING AS SHE INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO! Had this problem saturday morning, followed her instructions and the computer board was bad. On a whim had my wife call our HVAC company. Told tech everything I'd done. He confirmed that "yes, the pilot won't stay lit and the valve isn't showing any code". He said, " you could probably change the computer board for around $200 or we can install a new 50 gallon commercial water heater for $1900 sunday morning." Waited til monday morning, bought new valve, pulled board and installed in existing valve. saving $1700 was definitely worth stinking for 3 days.

[penafamilyof]

One of the most thorough, informative, and well-made How to videos ever

[rastageorge]

This is a six Stars video, better than five stars.. Short videos offers a quick fix. Your longer video gave me a total Solution, one time and done. Thank you for being patient, thorough and a 125 percent complete teacher and instructor.

[-ZIO]

This video saved me 2 grand. Easy. They wanted to sell me a new water heater plus labor. All I did was change the thermopile and Im back up an running. Thank you, God Bless

[LadyJ]

This is the clearest, most easy to understand troubleshoot video I've ever seen. Thank you 🙏🏼

[stephenbatchelder]

This is the most comprehensive video on water heater repair I believe I’ve ever seen my brother-in-law Jim will certainly appreciate this.

[dmmdmm]

Home, Condo, Appartment maintenance man here. Your video has educated me very well. I'm about to tackle a water heater job tomorrow and this video has me well prepared. Thanks !

[sammikhail]

The same process applies for troubleshooting a gas fireplace. My Thermopyle failed and a repair company wanted $600 just to come out and troubleshoot the problem. Thank God for youtube, Amazon and the nice people willing to share their knowledge.

[shavonnewatson]

This lady is a very VERY GREAT teacher . I would recommend her video TO EVERYONE !!! SHE GOES INTO Very GREAT DETAIL . SO IF YOU CANT FIX IT WITH HER HELP then you just can't fix it at all !!!!

[TrainingWheelTrucker]

Most complete and thorough explanation ever. You are a such a blessing to us amateurs. The step by step process of elimination is perfect.

[tkll]

You saved me from buying a new hot water heater!!! your instructions were so perfectly worded and visually it was easy for me to find my thermopile was bad and just replace the pilot assembly...THANK YOU SO MUCH 😊🎉

[billburrer]

Ok. I’ve heard a lot of people explaining how to do everything under the sun. I’d like to say you WIN! You are the best I’ve ever heard. You speak so clearly and slowly and are very detailed. Great job!

[dennismuller]

The pilot side of the gas valve ended up being bad on mine. I was going to get a new water heater, but I figured at this point, why not go ahead and look inside the gas valve. It took a special Torx security bit to open it (I already happened to have one). A tiny hairs width wire had become un-soldered on the pilot valve solenoid. After cleaning off a little insulation from the wire I managed to get it re-soldered and re-assembled (it was touch and go). Now it was clicking with the 9 volt battery test just like in the video. With no gas leak smell, I went ahead and tried lighting the water heater. It works great! Thank you Frugal DIY for the best instructional video I have ever seen!

[randyspencer]

I have watched a number of tutorial videos over the years and this was one of the most detailed one I have ever watched. I am an impatient person and had a fairly good knowledge of the basics related to this project so I kept saying ok I got it, Now on the other hand for someone that is just learning this technician explained so basic and complete there should have been no questions by the student. Great Job

[gkeeney]

Your presentation was amazing. With a steady camera, this was very thoughtfully worded, spoken with the right amount of repetition, hints and tricks. You are very knowledgeable, but also know how to teach. You voice was very calming, reassuring everyone that they can do this too. What a pleasure to view and learn from. Imagine, at this writing, 7600 thumbs up and zero thumbs down. Thank you!

[JimHytken]

Excellent video. It helped me troubleshoot my water heater to a bad thermopile. I paid about $35 and swapped out the old pilot and thermopile assy and the burner fired up right away. Your video was well made and very descriptive. Good job. It saved me about $2200 that a plumber wanted to charge me.

[Michael-uhdt]

Extraordinarily explicit and clear!
I have just watched over 40 water heater videos and have to echo the comments of praise below...this by far is the MOST exhaustive, methodical step-by-step of any other.
Thank you.

[leonfarmer]

I just wanted to say this and I hope i don't offend you. Im an old fashioned kinda guy. Usually
When I hear a woman's voice on these videos I head to the next
One. You have done a fantastic job on this video. You havnt just helped me with my valve problem but you may have changed my shortsided way of looking at ladies helping out in what has traditionally been
A man's roll in my life. Thankyou.
Have a blessed day.

[ThePacbaby]

This video just saved me money & time. I thought I was gonna have to disassemble everything! Or pay someone to. I watched the way u reheated the water heater by holding the botton down and now I have hot water again!

[ncooty]

This was fantastic! You are excellent at this. Such a straightforward, thorough, clear, structured, practical explanation. The suggestion to use an air hose to clear the pilot tube/ orifice worked for me. Great suggestion. *REALLY* appreciate your time, effort, and knowledge! Thank you!