Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - pilot light
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12-24-01, 05:29 AM
We have a Comfortmaker Airconditioning and Heating unit. Not sure of the exact age, but, less than 10 years old. We woke up to no heat again this morning (Christmas Eve!). This has happened 3 times in the past 2 months. The blower works, but no pilot light. By cleaning the filter and following directions to restart, my husband has managed to get it back on before. We had a repairman less than a month ago. He cleaned out all the lines to the fan, automatic ignitor, etc. and it started right up. He checked everything out and said that the furnace was fine-- but here we are again.
We remodeled this past summer and had a lot of dry wall dust. We are assuming that that has alot to do with our problem. But, my husband has cleaned the lines out once or twice since then, and the filter again, and we still have this problem. We are about to give up today, but don't want to call a repairman on Christmas.
Help!!
We remodeled this past summer and had a lot of dry wall dust. We are assuming that that has alot to do with our problem. But, my husband has cleaned the lines out once or twice since then, and the filter again, and we still have this problem. We are about to give up today, but don't want to call a repairman on Christmas.
Help!!
Sharp Advice
12-24-01, 05:53 AM
Hello JHollisSmith and Welcome to the Heating and Cooling Appliance forum and our Do-It-Yourself Web Site.
Intermittent problems can and often are extremely difficult to locate. These type of intermittent problems can occur with the parts themselves and or componets or electrical connections, etc.
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. Therefore, be advised that only your heating contractor may be able to resolve the problem.
Below are a few of the potiental and possible causes for the problem description you provided:
If the pilot lighting system has an electronic sparker that lites the pilot flame, and there is no sparking, the sparking element and or electronic module are the most likely defective parts. I would suggest you clean the sparker and pilot assembly first and retest.
Also check for a good electrical connection, etc. to the sparking device, spark module and the pilot flame sensor, if the pilot flame appears and is heating the sensor element.
The pilot flame sensor is not the same as a thermocouple. It's a true flame sensor that sends a signal the main electronic sparking 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.
Once the signal is received at the main spark module, the main module allows the gas valve to open, sending gas to the burners. If the signal is not sent for any reason, the modual will not allow the burners gas valve to open. Therefore, no burner flames.
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.
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!
Read the RECENT postings & ARCHIVES, within this forum, for other postings on this topic and the replies offered.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart...Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Efficient.....:)
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
Intermittent problems can and often are extremely difficult to locate. These type of intermittent problems can occur with the parts themselves and or componets or electrical connections, etc.
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. Therefore, be advised that only your heating contractor may be able to resolve the problem.
Below are a few of the potiental and possible causes for the problem description you provided:
If the pilot lighting system has an electronic sparker that lites the pilot flame, and there is no sparking, the sparking element and or electronic module are the most likely defective parts. I would suggest you clean the sparker and pilot assembly first and retest.
Also check for a good electrical connection, etc. to the sparking device, spark module and the pilot flame sensor, if the pilot flame appears and is heating the sensor element.
The pilot flame sensor is not the same as a thermocouple. It's a true flame sensor that sends a signal the main electronic sparking 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.
Once the signal is received at the main spark module, the main module allows the gas valve to open, sending gas to the burners. If the signal is not sent for any reason, the modual will not allow the burners gas valve to open. Therefore, no burner flames.
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.
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!
Read the RECENT postings & ARCHIVES, within this forum, for other postings on this topic and the replies offered.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart...Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Efficient.....:)
Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician.
seabee57
12-24-01, 05:59 AM
SOMETHING TO CHECK IS THE GROUND..GREEN WIRE AT THE FURNACE..MAKE SURE IT IS THE SCREW IS TIGHT AND THAT THE WIRE IS NOT CORRODED...IF THIS GROUND IS NOT GOOD IT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS ON IGNITION CYCLE.....