Stove not responding to thermostat

[mizzer]

I think I have the Sterling 8521. It's about 15 years old.

I've had trouble with it in the past: I could not get the stove to light if the switch was set to t-stat. Technician took some readings. Everything seemed fine. While he was here it started working. Go figure. Cost me $85 for essentially nothing. That was two years ago.

Fast forward to now. The stove lights when set to "on" AND when set to "t-stat". Thing is I cannot get it to turn off when the rocker switch is set to "t-stat".

Things I tried:

1) Cleaned t-stat.
2) Replaced batteries in t-stat.
3) Reconnected wires from t-stat to stove.
4) Replaced wires from t-stat to stove.
5) Replaced 3-way rocker switch.
6) Completely removed t-stat from circuit.

I've reseated almost every wired connection.

Other things of note:
1) I can short the connection on the rocker switch and the stove will light (when set to "off").
2) If I pull the (I assume) hot wire from the switch (from the t-stat) I can then touch it to the back of the switch and it will light. This happens whether or not the t-stat is connected.

Could it be a bad thermopile?

Any ideas would be great.

 

[DAKSY]

What kind of tstat are you using?
Replaced batteries...
Did you TEST them with a multimeter?
Thermopile is not the problem...
When a thermopile goes south, a stove will not STAY on if it even COMES on.

 

[mizzer]

What kind of tstat are you using?
Replaced batteries...
Did you TEST them with a multimeter?
Thermopile is not the problem...
When a thermopile goes south, a stove will not STAY on if it even COMES on.

Hunter 42999B, I've been using it for 10 years.

Remember: I removed the t-stat from the circuit (took it off the wall) and the problem remained.

 

[DAKSY]

OK. What happens when you take the wires OFF the thermostat & touch them together?
Does the unit come on?
What happens when the wires are pulled apart?

Edit: What happens when you jump the terminals Labelled TP-TH (or TH-TP) & TP?
If the unit comes on, then there's an electrical problem (wiring or switch) somewhere. (DOH.)

Brain F*rt: TH - TP & TH are the correct terminals to jump. Sorry.

 

[mizzer]

OK. What happens when you take the wires OFF the thermostat & touch them together?
Does the unit come on?
What happens when the wires are pulled apart?

Edit: What happens when you jump the terminals Labelled TP-TH (or TH-TP) & TP?
If the unit comes on, then there's an electrical problem (wiring or switch) somewhere. (DOH.)

Good ideas. I will try this when I get home and report back.

 

[mizzer]

Jumped TP-TH and TP = nothing
Jumped TP-TH and TH = unit lights

Pulled apart wires = no effect, same problem

 

[DAKSY]

Did you perform that test with the switch in "thermostat" mode?