Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Burrr, it's chilly in here!....
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Ricko
12-25-04, 11:04 AM
I have an *approximately* 2 yr old Frigidaire forced air gas furnace. I'm thinking I may have a flaky flame sensor, the burner lights up momentarily and then shuts off and then the blower kicks on. I took out the sensor and cleaned it off/re-installed and all is normal now. If the problem comes back I was thinking I'd toss a new flame sensor in but it's a $162 dollar item :wall: .
Any thoughts?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!!
Any thoughts?
Thanks and Merry Christmas!!
danski0224
12-25-04, 11:18 AM
$162 dollar item
Yikes. I would find another supplier.
Yikes. I would find another supplier.
Ricko
12-25-04, 01:48 PM
$162 dollar item
Yikes. I would find another supplier.
:eek: TELL me about it! I thought for such a small, rather simple looking item that was really pricy.
Anyway, does it sound like I'm barking up the right tree? I figure the flame sensor was sensing no flame (incorrectly) so it was shutting down the gas valve.
It's been about 3 hours since I cleaned off the sensor and the system still seems to be operating properly...thank goodness, it's 12 degrees outside!!
Yikes. I would find another supplier.
:eek: TELL me about it! I thought for such a small, rather simple looking item that was really pricy.
Anyway, does it sound like I'm barking up the right tree? I figure the flame sensor was sensing no flame (incorrectly) so it was shutting down the gas valve.
It's been about 3 hours since I cleaned off the sensor and the system still seems to be operating properly...thank goodness, it's 12 degrees outside!!
594tough
12-25-04, 03:24 PM
I checked some on-line parts sellers for Fridgidaire flame sensors and they are in the $160 plus range.
danski0224
12-25-04, 04:57 PM
I have not bought one for a Fridgidaire. The sensors I have bought have been in the 20 to 30 dollar range.
Maybe that is the retail cost of them. I would be surprised if the wholesale is that high.
If you have cleaned it and it is still working, then that is the problem. Maybe you can find (or make) a friend in the HVAC industry that can help out with procuring a new part.
The flame sensors are usually pretty universal, so some adaptation to use a similar but cheaper part may be in order.
The flame sensing circuit deals with some pretty small voltages and currents, so any fault can mess up the works. Sometimes even lacking an actual ground wire to the panel can cause problems.
Maybe that is the retail cost of them. I would be surprised if the wholesale is that high.
If you have cleaned it and it is still working, then that is the problem. Maybe you can find (or make) a friend in the HVAC industry that can help out with procuring a new part.
The flame sensors are usually pretty universal, so some adaptation to use a similar but cheaper part may be in order.
The flame sensing circuit deals with some pretty small voltages and currents, so any fault can mess up the works. Sometimes even lacking an actual ground wire to the panel can cause problems.
Ricko
12-26-04, 06:45 AM
I have not bought one for a Fridgidaire. The sensors I have bought have been in the 20 to 30 dollar range.
Maybe that is the retail cost of them. I would be surprised if the wholesale is that high.
If you have cleaned it and it is still working, then that is the problem. Maybe you can find (or make) a friend in the HVAC industry that can help out with procuring a new part.
The flame sensors are usually pretty universal, so some adaptation to use a similar but cheaper part may be in order.
The flame sensing circuit deals with some pretty small voltages and currents, so any fault can mess up the works. Sometimes even lacking an actual ground wire to the panel can cause problems.
I'm thinking that the Frigidaire sensor may be made of platinum which would explain the high price. Anyway, I was talking with a relative yesterday and he was having the EXACT same problem with his furnace a couple of weeks ago and to correct the problem he...cleaned the flame sensor just like I did :)
It's been nearly 24 hours since I cleaned that flame sensor. There wasn't much residue but as you said, we're dealing with a very low voltage so I don't imagine it takes much to generate an error condition. The system works fine now and all I did was clean that sensor...a free fix is a beeyoootiful thing!:D
Thanks for your input :thumbup:
Maybe that is the retail cost of them. I would be surprised if the wholesale is that high.
If you have cleaned it and it is still working, then that is the problem. Maybe you can find (or make) a friend in the HVAC industry that can help out with procuring a new part.
The flame sensors are usually pretty universal, so some adaptation to use a similar but cheaper part may be in order.
The flame sensing circuit deals with some pretty small voltages and currents, so any fault can mess up the works. Sometimes even lacking an actual ground wire to the panel can cause problems.
I'm thinking that the Frigidaire sensor may be made of platinum which would explain the high price. Anyway, I was talking with a relative yesterday and he was having the EXACT same problem with his furnace a couple of weeks ago and to correct the problem he...cleaned the flame sensor just like I did :)
It's been nearly 24 hours since I cleaned that flame sensor. There wasn't much residue but as you said, we're dealing with a very low voltage so I don't imagine it takes much to generate an error condition. The system works fine now and all I did was clean that sensor...a free fix is a beeyoootiful thing!:D
Thanks for your input :thumbup:
danski0224
12-26-04, 07:34 AM
Good thing all is well.
I fail to understand why manufacturers continue to choose the most expensive way to accomplish a task, as in this case, using a platinum based wire instead of something cheaper like stainless steel.........
If your furnace is located nearby the laundry room, and you use those dryer fabric softener sheets, then that is the cause of your problems.
I fail to understand why manufacturers continue to choose the most expensive way to accomplish a task, as in this case, using a platinum based wire instead of something cheaper like stainless steel.........
If your furnace is located nearby the laundry room, and you use those dryer fabric softener sheets, then that is the cause of your problems.
Ricko
12-27-04, 06:39 AM
Good thing all is well.
I fail to understand why manufacturers continue to choose the most expensive way to accomplish a task, as in this case, using a platinum based wire instead of something cheaper like stainless steel.........
If your furnace is located nearby the laundry room, and you use those dryer fabric softener sheets, then that is the cause of your problems.
The relative that had the same problem as I did said his flame sensor was made of copper...much more economical then platinum I'd say.
My dryer happens to be about 2 feet from my furnace and I do use fabric softener sheets. Maybe it would be wise to pull out that sensor once a year and scuff it off with a scotch-brite pad :thinker: .....Naaaaa, that'd be too smart, I'l just wait til I wake up some morning and it's freezing in here and THEN I'l go clean it ;) .
I fail to understand why manufacturers continue to choose the most expensive way to accomplish a task, as in this case, using a platinum based wire instead of something cheaper like stainless steel.........
If your furnace is located nearby the laundry room, and you use those dryer fabric softener sheets, then that is the cause of your problems.
The relative that had the same problem as I did said his flame sensor was made of copper...much more economical then platinum I'd say.
My dryer happens to be about 2 feet from my furnace and I do use fabric softener sheets. Maybe it would be wise to pull out that sensor once a year and scuff it off with a scotch-brite pad :thinker: .....Naaaaa, that'd be too smart, I'l just wait til I wake up some morning and it's freezing in here and THEN I'l go clean it ;) .