Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Gas Furnace Cycle problem

I have an Olsen gas furnace and am having problem. The problem is that when the furnace starts up it will only run for approximately 15 seconds and then shuts down. It continues to cycle like this. I installed a Honeywell programmable thermostat a few months prior to having this problem. I am able to operate the furnace by manually starting and shutting it off using an on/off switch. Any solutions?
Thanks

Assuming the heat functioned properly prior to the stat replacement, read the instructions and see if the configuration is set properly for your system. Depending on the model they're might be a cycle rate adjustment that needs to be changed. Normally they're factory set for gas heat and need no adjustment but who knows. Use the recommended settings for your application.

Hello Wefnod. Welcome to the Heating and Cooling Appliance forum and the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.

I doubt the furnace is cycling do to the thermostat replacement. However, WHY was the thermostat replaced???

If the burners are cycling on and off, most likely it's cycling because the flame sensor element is dirty, defective or has a faulty connection.

There may be an intake air flow restriction or warm air flow restriction. Check the filter and registers.

Another possible problem is a dirty A/C coil unit, if equipped with A/C, which is located directly above and sits atop the heating unit or along side it.

Please provide more detailed information.

Kindly expound in more detail the exact problem situation with the heating unit. Also explain which type of heating unit it is.

The location of the heating unit is often times very important in determining the cause of a problem, type of heating unit it is etc.

Location Examples:
Closet, attic, basement, roof, floor, wall mounted, etc.

Brand name of the unit. {Very important}

Age of the unit. {If known}

Fuel type used. {Natural Gas, Propane Gas, Other}

Model number and serial numbers of the unit, if available.
{Very important}

Type of ignition system the unit is equipped with.
Constant burning pilot flame, electronic spark ignition or glow coil ignition? {Extremely important}

Venting System. Natural Flow, Chimney, Fan Blower, Forced Vented, Coaxial Venting, Non Vented. {Very important}

Sometimes when routine required maintenance is done, we cause a problem to develope which wasn't existing prior. Knowing what was done before the problem was discovered can help to determine the cause of a current problem.

In depth and detailed information regarding the problem, helps to explain the situation your dealing with in a manner that allows those replying in the forum to fully understand the problem and offer the best correction method to advise, which is based solely upon the information you provide.

To add more information, please use the reply button. By doing so, the additional information you add will remain within this posting {Thread} and allow the professionals in this forum to follow the topic and reply with helpful advice and suggestions.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Suggestions:
Check the manufacturers online web site for additional product information, problem discriptions and problem solving methods, pictorials and schematics.

Check the recent postings and ARCHIVES, within this forum, for other postings on your topic, specific appliances problem or conditions and read the replies offered. Chances are the topic, condition and or problem has already been covered in complete detail.

Thanks,
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bartco
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.

Tom/Phil
Thanks for your replies.
There was a slight cycling problem prior to changing the stat although it only occurred infrequently and wasn't the reason to replace the stat. I installed a programmable stat to try and cut down the high gas bill in the frozen north!

The furnace is an Olsen HAS 130A, serial #U-18065, natural gas.
It is located in the basement.
Has a constant burning pilot flame with a chimney venting system and is non A/C.
The age of the unit is about 20 years.

You mentioned that there may be an intake air flow restriction or warm air flow restriction. I'm not positive but it does seem to me that the furnace isn't pushing out as much air as it should although there is no apparent problem with the fan blower.

Also noticed a couple of times that the venting chimney seemed a bit too hot.

I hope this helps and I really appreciate your help although I expect that I may have to bite the bullet and have someone come in and look at it.

Hi,

The sidewalk before my driveway has a pretty steep grade and when I drive in I typically go in at a angle.
I had noticed that my car pulls pretty well to the right and I haven't hit any curbs or rocks and the tires are new.

Could the fact that I drive in my driveway at a angle everyday cause my alignment to go awry?

Should I drive straight in or back instead?

Thanks,
Shawn

sounds like you need to call a professional

Hmm...sorry guys. I'm not sure how my post got here when I posted it in the Automotive section.