Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Furnace not working properly
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12-19-01, 01:46 PM
I live in a home with a York Diamond 80 furnace.
This furnace is attic mounted and described as a 'downflow'.
I can hear the unit attempting to start up.
A motor will run for a short period (not the blower, the ventilator or venter). I can hear a relay or solenoid click and then I can hear the gas flow. Despite all of this no flames appear and the unit follows this cycle two or three times before shutting down. The diagnostic LED flashes the code for 'check furnace' but that is all.
This system is equipped with an electronic ignition system. (Hot surface igniter according to the manufacturer).
Can anyone provide some insight?
Thanks in advance
This furnace is attic mounted and described as a 'downflow'.
I can hear the unit attempting to start up.
A motor will run for a short period (not the blower, the ventilator or venter). I can hear a relay or solenoid click and then I can hear the gas flow. Despite all of this no flames appear and the unit follows this cycle two or three times before shutting down. The diagnostic LED flashes the code for 'check furnace' but that is all.
This system is equipped with an electronic ignition system. (Hot surface igniter according to the manufacturer).
Can anyone provide some insight?
Thanks in advance
Sharp Advice
12-19-01, 02:25 PM
Hello plataq. Welcome to the Heating and Cooling Appliance forum and the Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
Below is a list of some of the possible problems and solutions for heating appliances using a glow coil {Glow Bar} ignition system.
Pick and choose which problem or condition applies to the heating appliance you have.
Defective Glow Coil:
The glow coil may glow but just be too weak to allow current to continue to flow to the coils. The solenoid coils are also part of the electrical loop and may effect proper glow coil operation or functioning.
Replacing the glow coil {Glow Bar} may solve the problem.
The main computer circuit board also controls and regulates functions of the heater. It too may have a defective componet.
Defective Solenoids:
The solenoids are on top or inside the body of the gas valve body. Solenoids also supply voltage to a glow coil {if applicable}gas to the pilot flame {if applicable} main burner gas and or other parts and componets of the entire electrical loop.
Defective Gas Valve:
Remove entire unit as an assembly. Take the entire assembly to your local appliance parts store for testing. Gas valves are not repairable. Replacement is the only option if defective.
CAUTION:
Do Not attempt to repair the gas valve!
This is a NON repairable item!
The ideal method for determining if either the solenoids, gas valve parts or other componets are defective, is to remove and take the entire gas valve assembly and or componets to the local retail appliance parts store or heating appliance dealers retail store and have the entire assembly and or parts tested.
Flame Sensor:
This part is located on the burner or near the pilot assembly. If it's defective, it will cause the glow coil to not function or cause the problem your describing.
You can test some of these parts yourself with a continuity tester or an ohm meter. However, do not rely totally and solely on either of these tests to prove the part is functioning correctly.
The flames sensor element, is the part which the pilot flame heats once a pilot flame is established. Cleaning the flame sensor element may solve the problem.
Not all furnaces have a seperate flame sensor element. If your heating is equipped with one, insure the flame sensors element is connected securely and correctly in the pilot assembly, is being heated by the pilots flame, is properly connected to the computers modual or spark modual and that either or both modual is in turn grounded well and correctly.
Electronically operated and controlled appliances often require several tests on several componets to determine the exact cause of a problem. The proceedures and methods vary and at times can become rather complexing.
FYI:
The do-it-yourself person can do electrical tests and continuity tests on several of the parts. However, bare in mind that neither of these tests will provide positive proof the part is actually functioning correctly and as intended. Therefore, do not rely solely upon either test.
TIP:
The only positive proof any part is functioning correctly, is to carefully remove the part or parts you suspect to be the potential culprit, and have the local appliance parts store person test it or check it. Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair proceedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
CAUTION:
Be absolutely positive the electrical power is turned OFF before attemping ANY repairs!
Check the ARCHIVES, within this forum, for other postings on the topic of your question and the replies posted.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart.......Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Efficient........:D
Accurate Power Equipment Company...........TCB4U2B2B
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
Please be advised that although I have spent many years in the gas appliance industry, some appliance diagnostic information provided is exclusively from memory....Devoid of any "Pre-Senior Moments" of course...:D
Below is a list of some of the possible problems and solutions for heating appliances using a glow coil {Glow Bar} ignition system.
Pick and choose which problem or condition applies to the heating appliance you have.
Defective Glow Coil:
The glow coil may glow but just be too weak to allow current to continue to flow to the coils. The solenoid coils are also part of the electrical loop and may effect proper glow coil operation or functioning.
Replacing the glow coil {Glow Bar} may solve the problem.
The main computer circuit board also controls and regulates functions of the heater. It too may have a defective componet.
Defective Solenoids:
The solenoids are on top or inside the body of the gas valve body. Solenoids also supply voltage to a glow coil {if applicable}gas to the pilot flame {if applicable} main burner gas and or other parts and componets of the entire electrical loop.
Defective Gas Valve:
Remove entire unit as an assembly. Take the entire assembly to your local appliance parts store for testing. Gas valves are not repairable. Replacement is the only option if defective.
CAUTION:
Do Not attempt to repair the gas valve!
This is a NON repairable item!
The ideal method for determining if either the solenoids, gas valve parts or other componets are defective, is to remove and take the entire gas valve assembly and or componets to the local retail appliance parts store or heating appliance dealers retail store and have the entire assembly and or parts tested.
Flame Sensor:
This part is located on the burner or near the pilot assembly. If it's defective, it will cause the glow coil to not function or cause the problem your describing.
You can test some of these parts yourself with a continuity tester or an ohm meter. However, do not rely totally and solely on either of these tests to prove the part is functioning correctly.
The flames sensor element, is the part which the pilot flame heats once a pilot flame is established. Cleaning the flame sensor element may solve the problem.
Not all furnaces have a seperate flame sensor element. If your heating is equipped with one, insure the flame sensors element is connected securely and correctly in the pilot assembly, is being heated by the pilots flame, is properly connected to the computers modual or spark modual and that either or both modual is in turn grounded well and correctly.
Electronically operated and controlled appliances often require several tests on several componets to determine the exact cause of a problem. The proceedures and methods vary and at times can become rather complexing.
FYI:
The do-it-yourself person can do electrical tests and continuity tests on several of the parts. However, bare in mind that neither of these tests will provide positive proof the part is actually functioning correctly and as intended. Therefore, do not rely solely upon either test.
TIP:
The only positive proof any part is functioning correctly, is to carefully remove the part or parts you suspect to be the potential culprit, and have the local appliance parts store person test it or check it. Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances.
Suggestions:
Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair proceedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.
CAUTION:
Be absolutely positive the electrical power is turned OFF before attemping ANY repairs!
Check the ARCHIVES, within this forum, for other postings on the topic of your question and the replies posted.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart.......Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Efficient........:D
Accurate Power Equipment Company...........TCB4U2B2B
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
Please be advised that although I have spent many years in the gas appliance industry, some appliance diagnostic information provided is exclusively from memory....Devoid of any "Pre-Senior Moments" of course...:D