Most newer water heaters use honeywell gas valves.
Testing water temperature sensor.
See the diagram below for where to test voltage.
With the use of a digital volt ohm meter you can easily tell if the sensor is faulty or not.
Turn on the engine and allow it to run for 5 minutes or until the temperature starts to go up.
Wait a minute or so for the screen to give you a reading of the cold water.
You could relay on the temperature gauge on your dashboard.
Many inexpensive shop manuals tell you to test an engine coolant temperature sensor using an ohmmeter.
Note the number on the multimeter then remove the connections from the sensor.
Test the sensor again with the multimeter.
Our water quality testing equipment is designed for use in the field.
Gently lower the end of the sensor into the water until the entire device is fully submerged.
Put the gas control knob to the off position wait a few minutes and then try to light the pilot as normal.
This video does not constitute or replace a real specialized technical man.
If the number on the multimeter is lower than the reading you got in step 2 the sensor is working correctly.
If you were to test the coolant temperature sensor alone you may think that it failed because its resistance value has remained at about 1500 or 2100 ohms for example when in fact the sensor is reporting the coolant actual temperature and it s working properly.
Testing the coolant temperature sensor is a very quick process.
The water temperature sensor is capable of measuring temperature in the range of 5 degrees centigrade to 50 degrees centigrade or 23 degrees fahrenheit to 122 degrees fahrenheit with a resolution of 0 1 degree.
Connect the black lead of the digital ohm meter to a solid grounding.
If the unit doesn t come on and still codes then you need to take the gas valve apart.
Submerge the sensor in the water and take a reading.
Most pro s test actual voltage coming out of the engine coolant temperature sensor.
Before you get into how to test the temperature sensor try power cycling the unit.
You can do that but it s not a very accurate test.