Hi. The pilot's flame efficiently heats the tip of the thermo cupla? It is similar to a thick bronze wire. To heat and turn red but the pilot is not on is the fault of this thermo cupla. It replaces without problems. You remove it from the back of the keypad (threaded) and next to the pilot is usually locked with an insurance. You must replace it with another of the same characteristics in its length and thread. You can buy it at any hardware store or house of sanitary spare parts. Regards