My 3 year old oil heating system has a problem. After reaching the desired temperature, the furnance will shut off normally. When the furnace tries to come back on, the power vent will start but the motor that turns the oil pump will not start. After 15 seconds, the red button on the ignition unit will pop up (like it's supposed to do if it doesn't sense that the furnance has lighted). If I push the button in, the pump will run and the furnance will fire up everytime. Then when it reaches the right temperature, it will shut off and the whole process starts over again. Also, the main blower that moves the air through the house works like it's supposed to. Any ideas?

 

Hi Neil:

Does the power vent fan continue to run even after the primary control has locked out? What I'm thinking is there must be an air proving switch that proves airflow for the power vent before it will allow the burner to lite. It sounds like doesn't close within the time delay period of the primary control and so the control locks out on flame failure. If the vent fan continues to run, it eventually closes the air proving switch and when you reset, the burner fires. See if you can locate a switch like this. Maybe it's malfunctioning, maybe its sensing ports are dirty, maybe the flue and/or the blower wheel on the vent fan need cleaning. Check these things out and let us know how you make out. Thanks. John.

 

Thanks John! I was looking in the wrong direction the whole time. The tube that goes to the switch was clogged. I wonder how much that would have cost me if I had called a professional (I was going to call someone tomorrow). Thanks again.

 

Hi Neil:


It's great when the solution is simple. God bless. John.