A customer reports that the pilot light goes out intermittently. What is the recommended next step if the magnet drops out at 4 millivolts after a steady reading?

When a pilot light goes out intermittently, the situation often stems from a problem affecting the pilot flame's ability to stay lit. Noting that the magnet drops out at 4 millivolts indicates that the safety mechanism, which relies on a strong electric current from the thermocouple, is not maintaining the necessary voltage for the gas valve to remain open.

Checking for issues such as down drafts is particularly critical in this scenario. Down drafts can extinguish the pilot light by disrupting the flame's environment, causing it to be blown out. Thus, it's advisable to first address possible environmental factors that may be affecting the pilot light, such as air movement or blockages in the chimney or flue, before assuming there is an internal fault within the gas valve or its components.

If problems like down drafts are confirmed and resolved, then the issue may not necessitate replacement of components like the gas valve or thermocouple, which could otherwise represent unnecessary costs and labor. Ensuring the pilot light stays lit despite environmental challenges is an important step in diagnosing and fixing the problem effectively.