My Furnace is Broken!

[offroadaudio]

I went to check the gas-fired forced hot air furnace yesterday, just to see if we have back-up and it did not run.
Oh no - what to do - what to do??
To hell with it, I'll get around to checking it out sometime in the spring! : )

 

[TomB]

1. check 110v, turned on, is the switch on the side of the furnace turned on?
2. check to make sure the cover to the blower section is on securely. there is a door switch on the blower to keep your fingers out of the blower.
3. check thermostat, set it to Heat (basic heat/cool stat), you may have a bad stat. Try the fan only function, see if the fan will run.
4. check gas valve to furnace, open? tap the gas valve, may be the spring is stuck. Is the pilot lit? Electronic ignition, may be hot surface ignitor is bad.
if the power is on, turn the power off and on. Look a the circuit board where the stat wiring connects and see if there is a power on LED. If its flashing, count the flashes. The code for the number of flashes should be on the cover for the blower section, near the schematic diagram.
5. check 24Vac transformer
6. look for broken wire to stat, furnace, transformer, etc.
7. Have a cold beer by the wood burner...
8. call a qualified heating professional
9. wait until spring.
10. wait for other answers from the fine members of this forum. (There is a great wealth of knowledge on this forum)

Stay warm.

Tom

 

[offroadaudio]

Thanks Tom - I think it's the electronic ignition - I usually have to replace it every few years when it develops a hairline fracture.
However this time it is still glowing - my neighbor, who is a repairman said they will sometimes still glow, but not draw the amps to open the gas valve.
I have a spare on hand, so I'll check that whenever. Also, I'll try your suggestion about tapping the valve - it does not get used at all, so might be a little sticky.

Thanks

 

[Redox]

Most hot surface ignitors used in HVAC don't really depend on current draw to make the circuit. If it gets to the point of actually glowing, the valve should open and the furnace should light. If you don't hear the click of the valve opening, there is probably an electrical problem. Put a meter on the gas valve connection and see if you get 24VAC during the ignition cycle. If you do and all the valves are open then the gas valve may be bad.

Chris

 

[offroadaudio]

Thanks - I always thought if the thing is glowing, then it must be hot enough to ignite.
I'll check on things whenever, stove is still hot from a re-load at 8pm last night.

 

[Crabbypatty]

Did the gas co take it's meter back due to non use? :-/