Mistaken Identity: Help with Kenmore Water Heater

Submitted by Khalid on Sun, 2005/11/06 - 17:43.

Technology in Society

Here is an email I got today:

The pilot to my water heater has shut off for no reason. It won't stay lit, even when I attempt to light it. The type is a Kenmore Mixer 6.
Please get back to me asap, and tell me if this is a serious problem or if it is a minor detail that can be fixed at home.
Thank you for your time,
Fernando D.

Probably because of my post on Fixing a Sears Kenmore Water Softner.

I have the same problem

Submitted by ryan (not verified) on Sat, 2006/07/01 - 21:23.

I have the same problem as this Fernando.

Kenmore water heater

Submitted by Frank (not verified) on Fri, 2006/07/14 - 11:55.

This is probably caused by a failed thermocouple.

Replaced thermocouple

Submitted by Tasha (not verified) on Tue, 2006/08/29 - 11:52.

Yeah well. I replaced my thermo-couple as per their instructions on the phone and wound up messing up my waterheater worse. So if you call and they advise you to replace the thermocouple, what ever you do, DO NOT disconnect the other two lines attached to the gas control. Because now it is going to take forever for me to get the parts. If I could get the parts today I have someone who can put it all together. You know if sears is going to sell stuff that falls apart this easily, they should stock their repair stores better. By the way, my water heater is barely 3 years old.

I have the same problem with

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2007/03/16 - 20:29.

I have the same problem with my powermiser 9, I have been going through this runaround with sears for over two months now. Every time they come out, they say its something different. They have replaced the ignitor switch twice and the burner twice, along with cleaning the filter and other things... Still having the same problem, it wont stay lit. Now they say it has something to do with the vent that goes up through the roof?

Power Miser 9 problem

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2007/06/28 - 18:13.

I am having the same problem as you ! and I am pissed off!!
the problem started last year! they replace most of the same parts only to have to replace the water heater. The new one as last about a year and now is starting to have the same problem. Sears was out to day only to start the runaround again!!
they now say it the vent also. But if it is the vent Why did it take a year to start again!! I think it a bad water heater problem and Sears should recall all of them. And replace with a different kind.

Bought a powermiser 6 two

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2007/09/03 - 21:23.

Bought a powermiser 6 two weeks ago and its shut off about 10 times since we lugged the piece of s*** upstairs. i`ve had 3 technicians here and the have been zero help. they want me to upgrade but have also told me that the powermiser 9 and 12 are just as bad. sears is selling defective products and they finally admitted as much tome after i finally got a hold of some joker in corporate headquarters. We need to sue these idiots with a class action. ALL I WANT IS GOOD SERVICE!!!! Can`t get it. Not the same old Sears that my Mom and Dad used to take us to. Sears sucks.

I have this same problem

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2006/07/20 - 20:28.

I have this same problem with my kenmore water heater. the pilot will not stay lit and it shuts off for no apparent reason. I have called sears to come look at the problem and they state it would be a "month" before someone can come look at it! I guess no one gives a s*** I will have no hot water for a month!

I'm having the same problem

Submitted by Tom (not verified) on Sun, 2008/05/04 - 14:48.

I'm having the same problem with my 2-1/2 year old power miser 6. Sears doesn't even list water heaters on their parts website.

How I fixed it

Submitted by Steve (not verified) on Mon, 2008/05/12 - 15:39.

My pilot lite just shut off as well. It would lite but would not stay on. Replaced the thermal coupler as well but no change. Come to find out that right below the pilot flame is a little hole that allows airs to feed the flame. The hole was clogged and filled with lint. I just cleaned it out and everything is working fine.