Gas Furnace Won't Stay Ignited
#1
11-22-19, 12:05 PM
Gas Furnace Won't Stay Ignited
Intermittently my furnace will not "heat up". Thermostat calls for heat and I can hear it kick on but it won't heat up. Blower motor will sometimes come on and blow cold air, sometimes not. Seems like it starts to ignite the gas for a few seconds and then it clicks off.
This doesn't happen all the time but it seems to have started doing this more in the last week. It does seem to have a harder time starting early in the morning when it is coldest. Not sure if that is true, maybe we just notice it not turning on more when it's cold.
Here is a video I took this morning. The blue flame stays on for about 5 secs then shuts off. Then the yellow/orange (pilot light?) fades away slowly. It stays dark for about 45 seconds and then repeats exactly the same. It probably did this 7 times in a row before I shut it off at the thermostat.
Any thing I can check on my own first before calling someone out?
Thank you.
This doesn't happen all the time but it seems to have started doing this more in the last week. It does seem to have a harder time starting early in the morning when it is coldest. Not sure if that is true, maybe we just notice it not turning on more when it's cold.
Here is a video I took this morning. The blue flame stays on for about 5 secs then shuts off. Then the yellow/orange (pilot light?) fades away slowly. It stays dark for about 45 seconds and then repeats exactly the same. It probably did this 7 times in a row before I shut it off at the thermostat.
Any thing I can check on my own first before calling someone out?
Thank you.
#2
11-22-19, 01:52 PM
Member
That’s not a pilot light, it’s a hot surface ignitor.
Possible flame sensing issue, what code is it failing on?
Take the flame rod out and clean it.
Possible flame sensing issue, what code is it failing on?
Take the flame rod out and clean it.
#4
11-24-19, 07:20 AM
Cleaned the flame sensing rod. It didn't look dirty at all but the furnace has been turning on properly ever since I did it so I think that was the problem.
Thank you for the tip, saved me time and money waiting on a service call!
Thank you for the tip, saved me time and money waiting on a service call!
#5
11-24-19, 10:23 AM
Group Moderator
The flame rod is stainless steel and sits IN the flame. It gets coated with oxides from the burning gas. The coating is usually clear. Use a green Scothbrite pad next time you need to clean it. The rod needs to be shiny.
#6
11-24-19, 12:58 PM
Member
Cleaning the flame rod is part of the yearly seasonal startup maintenance your furnace needs.
Has it had any sort of maintenance and cleaning lately?
Has it had any sort of maintenance and cleaning lately?
