This answer makes some gas fitters nervous but I've freed up many older pilot electromagnets that would not otherwise re-engage by...
..repeating the pilot igniting sequence again and when that thermocouple is cherry red again and while you are still holding down the gas valve control... rap the metal side of the gas valve closest to the pilot tube with the plastic handle of a screwdriver a couple of times. Don't hit any plastic on that valve or the pilot tube itself.
Often the shock, in conjunction with the pulling coil, is enough to get the pilot solenoid to free itself again.
If the pilot doesn't stay on after trying this...you probably have an internal electrical fault in the coil and you should a get pro out to replace that valve.
Ask him if he can visually scope out the exchanger first to see if this repair is worthwhile or not. Unfortunately, the testing out the integrity of an exchanger often requires a working gas valve in order to do a CO plenum test or a O2 vent gas change with the fan coming on.
..repeating the pilot igniting sequence again and when that thermocouple is cherry red again and while you are still holding down the gas valve control... rap the metal side of the gas valve closest to the pilot tube with the plastic handle of a screwdriver a couple of times. Don't hit any plastic on that valve or the pilot tube itself.
Often the shock, in conjunction with the pulling coil, is enough to get the pilot solenoid to free itself again.
If the pilot doesn't stay on after trying this...you probably have an internal electrical fault in the coil and you should a get pro out to replace that valve.
Ask him if he can visually scope out the exchanger first to see if this repair is worthwhile or not. Unfortunately, the testing out the integrity of an exchanger often requires a working gas valve in order to do a CO plenum test or a O2 vent gas change with the fan coming on.
