How do I light this pilot light?

[Kratzer]

So the pilot light on our heater has gone out... this is actually the first time I've even looked at the heater in about a year, and it is unlike any I've dealt with before, and I don't know how to light the damn thing... So if anyone can help, here's what I've got.

Heater looks to be about 40 years old   and says 'Armstrong' on the front door, and has a large metal box with this door on it, and another box to the left of the first one with no door.

Sticking off the front is a little unit with a door that hinges off, with a pipe (gas) running through it that takes an L after it enters this box from the main heater unit, and goes out the side of the smaller unit.  Once outside the smaller box, here is a smaller valve box with three settings: On, Pilot, Off. Running into this box are two wires which appear to be running through the floor to the thermostat, and a wire running out of the box and back into the heater itself, it seems.  The switch doesn't want to turn... and until I know what I'm messing with, I don't want to force it.

Is this wire running to a 'starter' for the pilot lite, and if I turn it to the 'pilot' position, should it light it?

If anyone can help, or needs more details, I would be in your debt.

[Kratzer]

and i guess 'furnace' is the word I should be using  

[Voss]

Man, this sounds dangerous. Look for a maintenance man.  

If you know your way around a little (and after it has been in the 'Off' position long enough for gas to dissipate, turn it to 'Pilot,' depress the pilot knob, light the pilot, keep button depressed for one minute, release and turn to 'On.' Be careful, sometimes the initial spark can cause a good burst of combustion.

Be careful.

[Kratzer]

The problem is that I don't know WHERE to light the pilot, or if this wire is running to an automatic lighter.

There is no gas odor - The valve (I would assume this is standard) seems to have shut off gas flow when the pilot went out.

[Kratzer]

victory.

[Leslie]

Do you know anyone who works for the gas company?  If so, see if you can get them to come over unofficially to have a look at it.  Do what Voss says about finding a maintenance man.  Official Gas Company visits may result in your unit being tagged if a problem is found.  Once you get the pilot light lit, leave it on all the time, even during the Summer time.  The jets tend to rust if the pilot is off.  Hope this helps.  Good luck.

Les
SC-Bama

[Kratzer]

Yeah, it has always been on (hence my idiocy getting it started again)... we had a lot of wind last night though, so I think it got blown out one way or another.

The last house I was in had a furnace about 30 years younger, I think, it had a nice, easily accessible little door.  With this one I ended up with the half front of my body shoved through the damn door into the furnace to reach the pilot.  If you could see me, you would find this extraordinarily funny since I'm about 6' 2", 235.  

LJKVR finally got me pointed in the right direction.

[mrfish]

i have one sorta like that, my building is older than my grandma!

i don't know if this will help you but -

on mine, you push in on the swtich while turning it to the pilot position and hold it in for 30 seconds - no less! - you have to keep holding it or it won't work, then you light the pilot and turn it to the on position. the flash is loud but it isnt dangerous, just old.

good luck. dont blow yourself up.

edit = ooops gotta read the whole post next time  

[ 11-03-2001: Message edited by: mrfish ]