Ignition Failure

[timcowchip]

From page 27 of my manual :
https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/lennox_hearth_winslow_stove_installation_775228m-pdf.131793/
"Ignition Failure - Code - Ready light is constant red and ignite light flashes two short blinks".

The solutions include replace the igniter, replace the igniter fuse and clean the burn pot. I have replaced the igniter and burn pot (my old one was 8 years old and pretty crusty) the igniter fuse is good, I checked it with a multimeter.

My Lennox Country Winslow PS40 pellet stove still fails to ignite.

 

[robert65]

I guess first question is can you see igniter glowing red against burn pot?

 

[timcowchip]

I would have to say no. Even though I couldn't actually see the igniter through the pellets in the burn pot. When I removed the burn pot to empty out the pellets and retry, it was cold.

Edit
I talked with a tech from the store where I bought my stove, and he told me to look at the back of the ignitor where there are 2 air holes and I could see the glow. So yes the ignitor is glowing red.

 

[Bioburner]

Several stove models will not start the igniter till proper vacuum is attained. How good of vacuum do you have and when is the last time you checked vacuum and gaskets? I have one stove that when it starts balking at starting its a vacuum issue, either needing a good cleaning of exhaust paths or fan etc.

 

[timcowchip]

My manual says If a low pressure is created in the firebox by a leak, opening the front door, a blocked flue,
or unsealed ash drawer, the vacuum switch will sense it and cause the stove to go into a shutdown mode.
The failure code for the Vacuum Switch Open is Ready light flashes red 1 short and 1 long blink. Since I get the Ready light is constant red and ignite light flashes two short blinks code for Ignition Failure instead, I am assuming that I have a good vacuum.

 

[Bioburner]

All depends on where the vacuum sensor is. I have a stove that its on the fan unit(more for a venting blockage) and it may think things are ok but my flame and ignition cycle will tell me otherwise. Limited stove ability verse over thirty years of stove knowledge. Do a manual light and see if your fire is good and active etc. or just so so. My fussy stove will have a fire in less than four minutes but when not clean or otherwise will take over 6 and then may start timing out.

 

[timcowchip]

(broken link removed)


I have some Rutland SafeLite firestarter squares that we have used to get the stove working when it failed to ignite in the dead of winter. They leave a residue in the burn pot, so I would probably want to use my old crusty one for manual start.

I recall the fire was beginning to not burn so clean as to start blackening the glass only a week after cleaning it.

I have cleaned everything that my manual recommends but the combustion blower, the manual says a new gasket may need to be installed between the motor and the fan housing after removal for cleaning and I do not yet have a new gasket.

 

[Mt Bob]

You could jumper the vacuum switch and see if it lights,but do not think it will.You need to check voltages coming out of the control board to ignitor.Also check inside the fuse holder,seem to remember sometimes they burn inside.Check wire connection plug at control board for damage/burn.You can get online tech. manual,will leave link.Good luck. (broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/lennox-ps40pi40-tech-manual-pellet-p-12611.html?cPath=291_413)

 

[Bioburner]

This extended heating season is getting the best of stoves in trouble with our hoping that it will end and we can do our final cleaning and close things down for season. I just had an issue with a stoves startup sequence and it was the exhaust probe with ash on it not getting hot enough to tell the board to start the convection fan. Todays temp is going to hit 70 plus but was 42 this AM Windows are open. I like using a propane torch shoved into the pile for a good blast till I get a walnut sized bunch of pellets glowing right where the igniter is then shut the door and usually starts just like a electric igniter but faster.

 

[timcowchip]

You could jumper the vacuum switch and see if it lights,but do not think it will.You need to check voltages coming out of the control board to ignitor.Also check inside the fuse holder,seem to remember sometimes they burn inside.Check wire connection plug at control board for damage/burn.You can get online tech. manual,will leave link.Good luck. (broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/lennox-ps40pi40-tech-manual-pellet-p-12611.html?cPath=291_413)

I just downloaded your link. Looks like a good manual to have for anyone who owns a Lennox Country Winslow PS40 and plans do-it-yourself maintenance and repair.

 

[timcowchip]

This extended heating season is getting the best of stoves in trouble with our hoping that it will end and we can do our final cleaning and close things down for season. I just had an issue with a stoves startup sequence and it was the exhaust probe with ash on it not getting hot enough to tell the board to start the convection fan. Todays temp is going to hit 70 plus but was 42 this AM Windows are open. I like using a propane torch shoved into the pile for a good blast till I get a walnut sized bunch of pellets glowing right where the igniter is then shut the door and usually starts just like a electric igniter but faster.

I just cleaned the sensor side of my proof of fire switch, my equivalent to an exhast probe, but no cigar. I like the propane torch idea. Think I'll get one now.

 

[Mt Bob]

I used starter gel for a long time,forgot to pick some up,been using torch many years(do not own self ignitor stove).When I found this forum was amazed how many people use torch,like me.No mess,quick and easy.

 

[Don2222]

Hello

Here is the Winslow PS40 trobleshooting for your error. If not one of these, it could be a bad control panel.

 

[timcowchip]

Thanks Don2222. I have the same list of solutions (all of which I have tried) in my manual. My next step is to replace all the gaskets and vacuum out the combustion blower. I hope its not the control panel. They're over $300 to replace.

 

[railfanron]

In your previous post you say the igniter is glowing red in the back of the igniter. If yes than I would suspect you have a draft problem and the stove or vent pipe needs to be cleaned. If the igniter is getting voltage and glowing then the control board is more than likely working correctly. I would check the vent and OAK/ intake air for an obstruction. If the vent pipe is dirty there will be no airflow across the igniter thus no fire. The igniter works very similarly to a heat gun/ hair dryer. Air flows across it and gets heated to 500+ degrees and the air flows across the pellets and that's what starts the fire.
Ron

 

[robert65]

Also make sure that igniter is against burn pot, loosen clamp and make sure you push it up against the burn pot....

 

[MSmith66]

Sounds crazy but, Is the burn pot in properly?

 

[timcowchip]

Sounds crazy but, Is the burn pot in properly?

(broken link removed)

Maybe not so crazy, I looked to see if the burn pot was lined up with the igniter and behold. I know its a lousy picture, but you can see the igniter is in the upper right-hand corner of the opening. It was always dead center and lined up with the hole in the burn pot when it worked.
I bought a new burn pot and igniter and put the burn pot in first then pushed the igniter in until it was right up against the burn pot. I did'nt look to see if they where lined up after that.

 

[robert65]

That looks way off to me, The igniter should really be touching burn pot....that looks to far back...

 

[robert65]

Here is the Techs manual for your stove......

 

[timcowchip]

That looks way off to me, The igniter should really be touching burn pot....that looks to far back...

The igniter was actually up against the outside wall of and not protruding into the firebox.

 

[timcowchip]

Here is the Techs manual for your stove......

Thanks robert65. I wish now that I hadn't already paid $10 for the same manual from (broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/lennox-ps40pi40-tech-manual-pellet-p-12611.html?cPath=291_413)