What Type of Thermocouple for Whirlpool Water Heaters?

Whirlpool Water Heater Thermocouple

• The thermocouple used in most Whirlpool gas water heaters is available as part of the Whirlpool manifold door assembly or a separate thermocouple. Contact Whirlpool for a replacement thermocouple, which is either part of kit number 16 or thermocouple 22. Universal water heater thermocouple replacement kits are also available at most hardware or home improvement stores. Always use a right-thread thermocouple.

Thermocouple Location

• Checking, cleaning or replacing the thermocouple on a Whirlpool water heater requires accessing the thermocouple first. Always disconnect power to the water heater and turn off the gas supply valve and the gas control knob before starting then wait for the water heater to cool down. Open the main access panel on the water heater and look inside for the pilot burner assembly. The thermocouple is the small device located under the piezo igniter button, the pilot and manifold tubes. It can also be viewed just above and to the left when looked at from the viewport on the water heater.

Removing the Thermocouple

• Taking out the thermocouple requires removing the entire manifold assembly, which is held onto the combustion chamber with two screws. Gently pull out the thermocouple, followed by the pilot tube, the igniter wire and the thermal switch connectors, as well as the manifold tube. You will need to push down slightly on each component in order to remove them from the water heater.

Replacing the Thermocouple

• As you replace the thermocouple, move carefully so that you do not bend or damage any of the internal components. Take out the retainer clip on the back of the wire connector that holds the connector to the manifold door then pull the thermocouple out of the pilot assembly. Slide the new thermocouple into the pilot bracket and guide the thermocouple tube until it clicks into position. Insert the thermocouple into the larger hole in the wire connector and position the igniter wire in the smaller hole. At this point you can insert the manifold assembly back into the burner compartment and push the manifold tube slot until it engages with the combustion chamber bracket. Connect the assembly with the two screws and reconnect the two wire leads to the thermal switch. Turn the thermocouple nut clockwise until firm then tighten it an additional 1/4-turn with a 7/16-inch open-end wrench. Connect the igniter wire then reconnect the gas and power supply.