Old School Wall Heater Help

[yzftaco]

The wall heater in my house crapped out, just in time for 30* nights... I noticed a buzzing sound I've never heard before, and then noticed the heater wasn't kicking on. I then opened the panel, and the pilot light was not lit. I tried several times to light it. It will light when the knob is set to pilot and pushed in, but when I turn the knob to the on position it goes out?
This heater at some point was retrofitted with a small fan inside to help blow some hot air. At the bottom there looks to be a transformer that powers the fan, and what else I don't know.
Could this transformer affect the pilot light from lighting?

Oh and the batteries in the thermostat are fresh.

This is all pretty new to me.
I typed this on my phone so please bare with me.

 

[yzftaco]

The wife just went out and bought some space heaters til we get this fixed.. thankfully we can return them even if they're used

 

[PAToyota]

Guessing you're looking at a bad thermocouple or solenoid valve from what you describe. The thermocouple keeps the solenoid valve open as long as there is flame to heat it. It shuts the gas off if your pilot light goes out so you don't have a buildup of unlit gas.

Depending on the unit, they could be separate parts or just one unit. Fairly easy fix to remove and replace - if you can find the parts.

 

[45Kevin]

There may be a switch that is opened when the cover panel is on. This is a safety feature. Mine just stopped working, so I bypassed it.

If it is the thermo coupler, they are cheap and easy to replace. You cant test them. I can't remember how though. Check the google.

My regulator also went a few years ago. That cost about $200. Again, it's an easy fix. Make sure you use gas rated pipe thread though, and check for leaks when you have it installed.

I also had the transformer on my furnace crap-out. Again easy fix once it was diagnosed.

 

[yzftaco]

Thanks for the help Guys, It wound up being the ThermoCouple... Working great now.

 

[PAToyota]

Good to hear you got it fixed up!