Kenmore 153.552400, Use And Care Manual

32

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE CAUSE(S)

CORRECTIVE ACTION

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. Non-functioning 

thermopile

8. Non-functioning 

thermostat

9.  Heater installed in a confined 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 

thermopile

8. Replace 

thermostat

9.  Provide fresh air ventilation

SMELLY WATER

1.  Sulfides in the water

1.  Replace the anode with a special anode

BURNER FLAME YELLOW-

LAZY

1.  Insufficient secondary air

2.  Low gas pressure

3. Flue 

clogged

4.  Main burner line clogged

5.  Heater installed in a confined area

6.  Obstruction in main burner orifice

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 orifice

PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT OR 

REMAIN LIT

1. Non-functioning 

igniter

2.  Thermopile connection loose

3.  Air in gas line

4.  Proper Lighting Sequence not followed.  

Gas Control / Temperature Knob was not 

held in for sufficient time.

5.  Low gas pressure

6. No 

gas

7.  Dirt in gas lines

8. Cold 

drafts

1.  Replace gas control valve/thermostat

2.  Seat connector firmly in socket

3.  Bleed the air from the gas line

4.  Do not attempt to relight if the status 

light is lit and the pilot flame is not visible 

through the view port.  Wait until the 

status light is no longer lit, then follow 

lighting instructions on the water heater.

5.  Check with gas utility company

6.  Check with gas utility company

7.  Notify utility-install dirt trap in gas line

8.  Locate source and correct

9.  ECO switch open

10.  Pilot line or orifice clogged

11. Non-functioning thermopile

12.  Air for combustion obstructed

13.  Flammable vapors incident, FVIR function 

utilized

9.  Replace gas control valve/thermostat

10.  Clean, locate source and correct

11. Replace thermopile

12.  See maintenance section for inspection 

and  cleaning of flame trap 

13.  Eliminate flammable vapor source(s), 

 Call 

1-844-553-6667.

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

1.  Set temperature dial to lower setting

2.  Drain/flush-provide water treatment 

if needed

3.  Install adequate 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

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/flush-provide water treatment if 

needed

3.  Install adequate 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

SLOW HOT WATER 

RECOVERY

1.  Insufficient secondary air

2. Flue 

clogged

3.  Low gas pressure

4. Improper 

calibration

5.  Thermostat set too low

6.  Water heater too small

7.  Wrong piping connections

8.  Wasted hot water

1.  Provide ventilation to water heater. Check 

flue way, flue baffle, and burner

2.  Clean flue, locate source and correct

3.  Check with gas utility company

4. Replace 

thermostat

5.  Turn temperature dial to desired setting

6.  Install adequate heater

7.  Correct piping-dip tube must be in cold 

inlet

8. Advise 

customer