Kitchen Gas Appliances - Furnace Burners Cycling
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mbarham
12-23-02, 02:04 PM
Ive got a Janitrol gas furnace that blows cold air. On several occasions I have turned the thermostat to the lowest level, turned off power to the furnace itself, then turned everything abck on set the thermostat and got hot air out if for a few days. Then it goes back to being cold again. It is always 5 degrees or so colder in the house than what it should be. If I watch the furnace itself, the ignitor starts to glow, then the burners kick on and burn for 10-15 seconds or so, then turn off. THey continue to cycle, but it never warms up like it should. I have repalced filters and checked fuses. What else should I look at?
Sharp Advice
12-23-02, 10:20 PM
Hello mbarham. Welcome to my Gas Appliances topic & the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
The problem with the burners shutting down that soon after they fire up is usually caused by a dirty or defective flame sensor. The flame sensor is an element the flames must heat.
It is usually located near the ignitor but may be anywhere where the burner flames can heat it. Cleaning it with steel wool or fine grit sanding paper usually resolves the problem.
If cleaning this part does not resolve the problem, replacing it should. However, it may not. Which indicates there could be any number of other problem possibilities.
For additional information etc. read the recent postings within this forum pertaining to heater topics. The questions already asked describe like or similarly related problem descriptions as your question.
These prior postings and any or all the replies offered within them contain almost all the required information needed pertaining to the many potential and or possible problems with the heating unit like your describing.
Additional Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes, solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly, repair procedures, instructions, pictorials, schematics, all or part of which may be available online.
Search this forum and the heating & cooling forum for topics & subjects on heater problems. In doing so you'll find the same or similar problem asked. The reply or replies contained within the question will be all of the possbile solutions.
If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or ask additional questions after attempting the correctional method or methods offered.
Regards & Good Luck, Forum Host & Multiple Topic Moderator.
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises. Energy Conservation Consultant & Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
The problem with the burners shutting down that soon after they fire up is usually caused by a dirty or defective flame sensor. The flame sensor is an element the flames must heat.
It is usually located near the ignitor but may be anywhere where the burner flames can heat it. Cleaning it with steel wool or fine grit sanding paper usually resolves the problem.
If cleaning this part does not resolve the problem, replacing it should. However, it may not. Which indicates there could be any number of other problem possibilities.
For additional information etc. read the recent postings within this forum pertaining to heater topics. The questions already asked describe like or similarly related problem descriptions as your question.
These prior postings and any or all the replies offered within them contain almost all the required information needed pertaining to the many potential and or possible problems with the heating unit like your describing.
Additional Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes, solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly, repair procedures, instructions, pictorials, schematics, all or part of which may be available online.
Search this forum and the heating & cooling forum for topics & subjects on heater problems. In doing so you'll find the same or similar problem asked. The reply or replies contained within the question will be all of the possbile solutions.
If you need further assistance, use the REPLY button to add any additional information or ask additional questions after attempting the correctional method or methods offered.
Regards & Good Luck, Forum Host & Multiple Topic Moderator.
TCB4U2B2B Company Enterprises. Energy Conservation Consultant & Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.
willywhy
12-24-02, 12:02 PM
I think were the only two people that have a janitrol, I never noticed any one else talking about them.
Any way.
My burners are only on for less than a min. also. Due to allergies and added filters we leave the blower on 24/7 so once in a while I turn the temp up just a touch to take a built up chill out then turn it back down, unless it calls for heat the draft always feel cool (room temp) air deflectors are used.
If the room is only five degrees cooler than you like TURN IT UP FIVE DEGREES. My thrmostat sayes 75 about, a thermonator need the thermostat sayes 68ish.
BY THE BY have your burners ever completly fail to turn on? about twice a month mine fail and it seams if I give the unit a good sharp SLAP on the right side, right near the brain box its fine again.
to Tom_Bartco:
thanks for the tips I too will check out the sites, For when a repair person is called, and he shows up after I get it running again then of course he can only guess at the problem.
Any way.
My burners are only on for less than a min. also. Due to allergies and added filters we leave the blower on 24/7 so once in a while I turn the temp up just a touch to take a built up chill out then turn it back down, unless it calls for heat the draft always feel cool (room temp) air deflectors are used.
If the room is only five degrees cooler than you like TURN IT UP FIVE DEGREES. My thrmostat sayes 75 about, a thermonator need the thermostat sayes 68ish.
BY THE BY have your burners ever completly fail to turn on? about twice a month mine fail and it seams if I give the unit a good sharp SLAP on the right side, right near the brain box its fine again.
to Tom_Bartco:
thanks for the tips I too will check out the sites, For when a repair person is called, and he shows up after I get it running again then of course he can only guess at the problem.
mbarham
12-26-02, 05:37 AM
I took off the flame sensor and ran some fine sand paper over it to celan it up. Re-installed it and it runs like a champ! Thanks for your help.
Sharp Advice
12-26-02, 07:00 AM
Hello: mbarham
Glad you had success cleaning the sensor. Thanks for posting back the results. Be aware that cleaning the flame sensor may have resolved the problem for now.
The same condition may arise again. Cleaning the sensor once again may not than resolve the problem. Sensors, like any other part or componet are subjected to failure.
If the condition returns soon, the part may need to be replaced.
The part of you question, in the first posting, regarding the 5 degree differance between room temp and t-stat set temp was not most likely a result of the furnace burners not remaining on.
Most likely that is do to the thermostat, it's location within the house and any one of several other possible conditions. If you can manage with the situation as it is and the furnace operates correctly, you may want to leave all as it is.
Regards,
Tom_B
Glad you had success cleaning the sensor. Thanks for posting back the results. Be aware that cleaning the flame sensor may have resolved the problem for now.
The same condition may arise again. Cleaning the sensor once again may not than resolve the problem. Sensors, like any other part or componet are subjected to failure.
If the condition returns soon, the part may need to be replaced.
The part of you question, in the first posting, regarding the 5 degree differance between room temp and t-stat set temp was not most likely a result of the furnace burners not remaining on.
Most likely that is do to the thermostat, it's location within the house and any one of several other possible conditions. If you can manage with the situation as it is and the furnace operates correctly, you may want to leave all as it is.
Regards,
Tom_B