Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Ruud F/A sequence problems
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Ruud F/A sequence problems
12-22-01, 04:03 PM
When my furnace needs to warm the house more than a few degrees, it shuts on and off several times before eventually getting to temp. The air inducer motor runs continuously between the burner/blower sequences.
Sharp Advice
12-22-01, 04:39 PM
Hello MBA1st and Welcome to the Heating and Cooling Appliance forum and our Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
Replying to both your posting here.
If the burner flames turn on and off, the most likely cause for the problem description is a dirty and or defective flame sensor. The flame sensor is the metal rod element that is heated by the burner flames.
Flame Sensor:
This part is located on the burner or near the pilot assembly. If it's defective, it will cause the problem your describing.
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. Also check for a good electrical connection of the part.
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.
Be sure the sensor is being heated by the pilots flame or burner flames and is properly connected to the computers module or spark module. Be sure that all parts are grounded well.
The pilot flame sensor is not the same as a thermocouple. It's a true flame sensor that sends a signal the main electronic module that a pilot flame is established. The pilots flame will be heating this element directly. Cleaning this sensor with fine steel wool or lite weight sanding paper oftens corrects the problem.
Below is a list of some of the possible problems and solutions for heating appliances using a glow coil {Glow Bar} or sparking ignition system.
Pick and choose which problem or condition applies to the heating appliance you have.
Furnace overheating, do to a restricted intake air supply. Clean and or replace the filter or filters as needed. The air conditioning coils, if clogged with dust, dirt, etc. may be restricting air flow out of the heater also. In this instance, contact your local heating contractor for an A/C coil cleaning.
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.
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
Tom_Bart....TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises
Fast.....Fair.....Friendly & Highly Efficient.....:D
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
Replying to both your posting here.
If the burner flames turn on and off, the most likely cause for the problem description is a dirty and or defective flame sensor. The flame sensor is the metal rod element that is heated by the burner flames.
Flame Sensor:
This part is located on the burner or near the pilot assembly. If it's defective, it will cause the problem your describing.
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. Also check for a good electrical connection of the part.
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.
Be sure the sensor is being heated by the pilots flame or burner flames and is properly connected to the computers module or spark module. Be sure that all parts are grounded well.
The pilot flame sensor is not the same as a thermocouple. It's a true flame sensor that sends a signal the main electronic module that a pilot flame is established. The pilots flame will be heating this element directly. Cleaning this sensor with fine steel wool or lite weight sanding paper oftens corrects the problem.
Below is a list of some of the possible problems and solutions for heating appliances using a glow coil {Glow Bar} or sparking ignition system.
Pick and choose which problem or condition applies to the heating appliance you have.
Furnace overheating, do to a restricted intake air supply. Clean and or replace the filter or filters as needed. The air conditioning coils, if clogged with dust, dirt, etc. may be restricting air flow out of the heater also. In this instance, contact your local heating contractor for an A/C coil cleaning.
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.
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
Tom_Bart....TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises
Fast.....Fair.....Friendly & Highly Efficient.....:D
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.