Troubleshooting a lighter

Darmon · January 2017

Anyone have any experience troubleshooting a butane lighter. Its a couple years old but hasn't seen very much use and it seems to not be wanting to light. Not sure if its the spark wire not close enough to the gas tube or if there might be something else causing it. When I do get it to light it stays lit as long as I want it too, so I'm pretty sure its not a fuel issue, and I did refill it just to be sure it wasn't out of fuel. I'm guessing its sparking not close enough to the fuel tube. Any other suggestions?

bluespiper · January 2017

I would try unclogging the lighter if you haven't already. Bleed all of the butane out and use a can of compressed air. Using the straw, give several bursts of air into the burner. Refill with at least triple refined fuel so it burns clean. I'm not sure of any other remedies for this. It could be, as you said, bad design where the spark is not close enough to the fuel port. If it's a name brand lighter, though, one would think they would not have such an issue. Hope this helps.

Darmon · January 2017

Thanks, I had tried those things. But did it again anyway just to make sure. Then took a little piece of wire and tried to bend the sparking wire closer to make the spark in a more desirable location. Seemed to do the trick, so far its been lighting everytime just about. Thanks for suggestions. not sure what was the culprit but it seems to be working.

bluespiper · January 2017

Glad you got it resolved!

daveinlax · January 2017

I had the same issue and resolution with a Xikar Resource pipe lighter.

motie2 · February 2017

Changing the subject (slightly?) does anyone remember the manufacturer name of a lighter fluid pipe lighter that had a little bent tube that heated up and then iflame would jet out of the end of the tube, sideways? I sorta remember it started with a "B' but I'm not sure. I have not seen one in years.