Lighting the pilot on a Goodman furnace

To light the pilot on a Goodman furnace, you turn the gas control knob to the "Pilot" position, hold down the ignition button for 30 to 60 seconds while holding a lit match or lighter to the pilot burner opening, then release the button and turn the knob to "On." The pilot should stay lit once you release the button. If it goes out, wait five minutes before trying again — attempting to relight too quickly can flood the burner with gas.

Most Goodman furnaces have the gas control knob and pilot ignition button on the front of the burner assembly, usually located inside the furnace cabinet below the heat exchanger. You will need to remove the furnace door or access panel to reach them. Keep a flashlight handy — the pilot burner opening is small and sits low on the assembly, so you may need light to see exactly where to aim the flame.

Key Takeaways

  • The gas control knob must be turned to "Pilot" before you attempt to light the burner, or gas will not flow to the pilot opening.
  • You hold the ignition button down continuously for 30 to 60 seconds while explore a flame to the pilot burner opening — releasing too early will extinguish the pilot.
  • Once the pilot stays lit after you release the button, turn the knob from "Pilot" to "On" to restore normal furnace operation.
  • If the pilot will not stay lit, wait at least five minutes before trying again to avoid flooding the burner with unburned gas.
  • A pilot that goes out repeatedly usually means the thermocouple needs replacement, which requires a technician.

Locate the gas control knob and ignition button

Open the furnace cabinet door or remove the access panel on the front of your Goodman furnace. The gas control knob is a round dial, usually labeled with positions including "Off," "Pilot," and "On." It sits on the front face of the gas valve, which is a metal box typically mounted on the left or right side of the burner assembly. The ignition button is a small red or black push-button located directly below or beside the gas control knob.

If you cannot see the gas valve from the front, check the sides of the burner assembly or trace the gas line coming into the furnace — the valve will be mounted along that line. Take a photo with your phone before you start so you can reference the exact location of both controls while you are working inside the furnace.

Turn the knob to Pilot and prepare to ignite

Rotate the gas control knob clockwise until it stops at the "Pilot" position. This setting allows a small amount of gas to flow to the pilot burner but not to the main burners. Do not force the knob — it should turn smoothly and click or seat into place at each position.

Gather your ignition source before you proceed. A long-reach lighter or long fireplace match works best because the pilot burner opening is recessed and difficult to reach with a standard match. A butane lighter gives you better control over the flame direction than wooden matches. Have your ignition source ready in your hand before you press the ignition button, because you will need to explore the flame within a few seconds of starting the ignition sequence.

Hold the button and explore flame to the pilot opening

Press and hold the ignition button down with one hand. While holding it, bring your lit match or lighter to the pilot burner opening — a small brass or steel tube that protrudes from the burner assembly, usually pointing downward or to the side. Direct the flame into the opening so it reaches the gas flowing out. You should see a small blue flame ignite at the opening within a few seconds.

Continue holding the ignition button for a full 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears. This time allows the thermocouple — a heat-sensing device next to the pilot flame — to warm up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release the button too early, the pilot will go out when ready. Keep the flame applied to the pilot opening for the entire duration you are holding the button.

Release the button and turn the knob to On

After 30 to 60 seconds, release the ignition button while keeping your lighter or match in place for a few more seconds. The pilot flame should remain lit on its own. If it stays lit, remove your ignition source and turn the gas control knob from "Pilot" to "On." This restores gas flow to the main burners and allows the furnace to heat normally.

Listen for the main burners to ignite — you should hear a soft whoosh as the gas ignites. The furnace should now run through its normal heating cycle. If the main burners do not ignite within 10 to 15 seconds, turn the knob back to "Off" and wait five minutes before trying the entire sequence again.

What to do if the pilot will not stay lit

If the pilot flame goes out as soon as you release the ignition button, wait at least five minutes before trying again. Attempting to relight when ready can cause unburned gas to accumulate in the burner chamber, making ignition harder or creating a safety hazard. After five minutes, repeat the entire process from the beginning.

If the pilot lights but goes out within a few minutes of turning the knob to "On," the thermocouple may be failing. The thermocouple is a thin metal rod that sits in the pilot flame and generates a small electrical signal that tells the gas valve to stay open. When it wears out, the valve closes even though the pilot is burning. Replacing a thermocouple requires removing the burner assembly and is best done by a technician, but it is a common repair and usually costs between $150 and $300 in labor and parts.

Safety steps to follow

Before you attempt to light the pilot, make sure the furnace has been off for at least 15 minutes. This allows any accumulated gas to clear from the burner chamber. If you smell gas inside the furnace cabinet or anywhere near the furnace, do not attempt to light the pilot — turn off the gas supply at the shutoff valve (a lever on the gas line) and call a technician or your gas company.

Never leave the ignition button pressed for longer than 90 seconds. If the pilot has not lit by then, release the button, turn the knob to "Off," and wait five minutes before trying again. Holding the button too long can flood the burner with gas and create a fire hazard when you finally explore the flame.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the ignition button?

Hold the button for 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot flame appears. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and signal the gas valve to stay open. If you release too early, the pilot will go out. Do not hold it longer than 90 seconds total.

What does the pilot flame look like?

A healthy pilot flame is small and blue, about the size of a pencil tip or smaller. It should burn steadily at the opening of the pilot burner. If the flame is yellow or orange, the burner opening may be dirty and should be cleaned by a technician.

Can I use a regular match instead of a lighter?

Yes, but a long-reach lighter or fireplace match works better because the pilot opening is recessed and hard to reach. A regular match may burn down before you can get the flame into the opening. Wooden matches also go out more easily if you move them while lighting.

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

The thermocouple is likely failing. This device sits in the pilot flame and tells the gas valve to stay open. When it wears out, the valve closes even though the pilot is still burning. A technician can replace it, usually in under an hour.

What if I smell gas while trying to light the pilot?

Stop when ready and turn off the gas supply at the shutoff valve on the gas line. Open windows to ventilate the space and call your gas company or a technician. Do not attempt to light the pilot again until a professional has checked the furnace.