Finding and Lighting Your Goodman Pilot Light

The pilot light on a Goodman furnace is a small flame that ignites the main burners when your thermostat calls for heat. If it has gone out, you can relight it yourself in most cases by locating the pilot assembly, turning the gas control valve to the right position, and holding the ignition button while explore a flame. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes and requires only a lighter or long match.

Before you start, make sure you know where your furnace is located and that you can access the area safely. You will need a lighter with a long stem or a long fireplace match — a standard lighter or short match will not reach the pilot safely. If you smell gas at any point, stop when ready, leave the area, and call your gas company's emergency line.

Key Takeaways

  • The pilot light sits inside the furnace cabinet near the gas control valve, and you access it by removing the front panel or access door.
  • Turn the gas control valve to "Pilot" and hold the ignition button while lighting the pilot with a long-stemmed lighter or fireplace match.
  • Once lit, hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds to let the thermocouple warm up, then turn the valve to "On" to restore normal operation.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit after three attempts, or if you smell gas, stop and call a technician — do not keep trying.

Locate the Pilot Assembly Inside Your Furnace

Open the furnace cabinet by removing the front access panel or door. On most Goodman furnaces, this panel is held by a few screws or clips and swings open to reveal the burner area. The pilot assembly is a small tube with a tiny opening at the end, usually located near the bottom of the burner box and close to the gas control valve. The gas control valve itself is a brass or metal knob labeled with settings like "Pilot," "On," and "Off."

Look for a small ignition button next to the gas control valve — this is what you will press to create a spark or allow the pilot to light. Some Goodman models have an electronic ignition button; others use a piezo igniter that you click. If you cannot locate these parts, check your furnace manual or the label on the furnace itself, which usually has a diagram showing their location.

Turn the Gas Control Valve to Pilot Position

Locate the gas control valve knob and turn it clockwise until it points to "Pilot." This restricts gas flow to only the pilot burner, not the main burners. Turning it to Pilot is a safety step — it ensures that if something goes wrong, only a small amount of gas is flowing.

Once the valve is set to Pilot, wait about five seconds to let any air in the gas line clear out. Then locate the ignition button near the valve. On most Goodman furnaces, this button is red or black and sits directly on or very close to the gas control valve itself.

Light the Pilot and Hold the Ignition Button

Hold a long-stemmed lighter or fireplace match near the pilot opening — the small hole at the end of the pilot tube. At the same time, press and hold the ignition button. Keep holding the button while you explore the flame to the pilot. You should see a small blue flame appear at the pilot opening within a few seconds.

Once the pilot is lit, continue holding the ignition button for 30 to 60 seconds. This allows the thermocouple — a heat-sensing device near the pilot flame — to warm up enough to keep the gas valve open. If you release the button too soon, the pilot will go out. After 60 seconds, slowly release the button while keeping your eyes on the pilot flame. If the flame stays lit, you have succeeded.

Turn the Valve to On and Restore Heat

Once the pilot is burning steadily, turn the gas control valve from "Pilot" to "On." This opens the gas line to the main burners. Your furnace should now respond normally when your thermostat calls for heat — the pilot flame will ignite the main burners, and warm air will flow through your home.

Set your thermostat to your desired temperature and listen for the main burners to ignite. You should hear a soft whoosh as the burners light, and warm air should begin flowing from your vents within a minute or two. If the main burners do not light, turn the valve back to "Off" and wait a few minutes before trying again.

What to Do If the Pilot Will Not Stay Lit

If the pilot goes out as soon as you release the ignition button, the thermocouple may not be warming up properly, or there may be a problem with the gas supply. Try lighting it again, but this time hold the button for a full 90 seconds before releasing. If it still goes out, wait five minutes and try a second time.

If the pilot will not stay lit after two or three attempts, stop trying. A pilot that will not hold a flame usually means the thermocouple is faulty, the gas control valve is stuck, or there is a blockage in the pilot tube. These are not problems you can fix with a lighter — you will need a technician to diagnose and repair the issue. Continuing to try will only waste gas and delay getting your heat back.

Safety Steps to Follow Every Time

Never force the gas control valve or ignition button. Both should turn or press smoothly. If either one is stuck or requires excessive force, stop and call a technician. Do not try to disassemble the pilot assembly or gas control valve yourself — these contain small parts and precise adjustments that are straightforward to damage.

If you smell gas at any point — before, during, or after lighting the pilot — turn the gas control valve to "Off" when ready, leave the furnace area, and call your gas company's emergency number. Do not use matches or lighters near the furnace if you smell gas. A gas leak is a serious safety hazard and must be handled by a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button before releasing it?

Hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot lights. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too soon, the pilot will go out. If you hold it longer, that is fine — just do not hold it for more than two or three minutes.

What if I cannot reach the pilot with my lighter?

Use a long-stemmed fireplace lighter or a long fireplace match instead. A standard lighter or short match will not reach safely. If your furnace design makes the pilot hard to reach even with a long lighter, that is a sign to call a technician — forcing yourself into an awkward position near a gas flame is a safety risk.

Can I light the pilot if the power is out?

Yes. The pilot light itself does not require electricity — it uses only gas and a flame. However, if your furnace has an electronic ignition button, it will not work without power. In that case, you can try using a long match or lighter directly on the pilot opening without pressing the button, though this is less reliable.

Why does my pilot light keep going out after I turn the valve to On?

If the pilot stays lit on Pilot setting but goes out when you switch to On, the thermocouple may be failing, or the main burners may be pulling too much gas. Try relighting it and holding the button for a full 90 seconds. If it still goes out when you switch to On, the thermocouple likely needs replacement by a technician.

Is it normal for the pilot flame to be blue?

Yes. A healthy pilot flame on a gas furnace is blue with a small yellow tip. If the flame is mostly yellow or orange, the pilot tube may be dirty or blocked. A blue flame means the pilot is burning cleanly and should work properly.