Need some furnace help

[bubbas1]

Im gonna see if some here can help me before I spend big bucks to have a repairman come look at it on a Sunday.

The furnace will not kick in. It will humm for about a minute and then the LED light starts to blink 3 times. My book says that means the conrol is in lockout because of a failed ignition attempt, a gas valve error, or a false flame sensed during the warm up period. It dosent tell me anything about what to check or how to check it. I had this same thing happen about 3 years ago and I cant remember how the repairman fixed it.

It is a Intertherm forced air furnace with hot surface ignition.

Here are some pics if that helps out.

 

[BahamaMama]

my guess is it is either a corroded wire, or your glow plug is fried. know it wouldn't be something i'd have a clue how to do on my own, but if you could check and change your own glow plug you'd save a bundle on a Sunday.

 

[Chanman]

Mama- Can you cook too? j/k Good to see you post Ms. All that & a bag of chips- Chan Compliment MaMa and hear its cold back there.

 

[loungelizard]

My 2 cents worth is to go ahead and fork over the bucks for the repairman, gas is nothing to be messed with.

good luck,
ll

 

[THE KOD]

bubba

The blower motor that pushs hot air throughout the house vents sounds like its shot.

Its about $300. to replace it including labor.

New furnace installed is $2,000.

KOD

 

[bubbas1]

Thanks for the replies. I was getting tools out to start to take things apart when the wife asked where are you going to get a part from if you find out whats wrong. Its Sunday.

On to Plan B: Service guy is going to be here this afternoon. I told the lady on the phone to tell the service guy to think cheap on his way here.

 

[yyz]

The blower motor that pushs hot air throughout the house vents sounds like its shot.

.........Nope, I can't..............It's just too fukin' easy!

 

[yyz]

BTW bubba,


It might be something as simple as a clog. Watch that guy!

 

[yyz]

Might be too late since you called your repairman, but try this link:



CLICK HERE!

 

[yyz]

What about the obvious:


Is the pilot light on?

 

[Goiing Gone]

There is a exhaust fan that expels any gas fumes for about 2-3 mins before the igniter will try for ignition, that is the humming you probably hear, if it is not working it will not close the relay, also the gas valve internal switch could have failed, sometimes just gently moving the wires can fix as they do come loose due to vibration.

The last picture is your gas valve , make sure all the wire connections are secure, it is all low voltage at the valve so do not worry about a shock:shocked: :scared

 

[gardenweasel]

have to agree with scott

have to agree with scott

sure sounds like the blower motor....also(and i`m sure you do this)....keep changing that filter....

not sure if you have a self-lubing blower motor(yyz is right,this sounds rough ),but mine has little rubber seals that have to be pulled out so you can` lube the motor(every year...and maybe more in ridiculously cold winters like we`ve had in the east this year)......

g.l.,bubba...

 

[BahamaMama]

Bubbas... guessing what you referred to as a *hot surface ignition* is the same thing that i call a *glow plug* but possibly 2 different things entirely (although neither are pilots, so that can be ruled out)

i've lived in this house 11 years.....and the glow plug has gone out 4 times now the first time my ex was not my ex yet so he fixed it....LOL

the next 3 times (of course TWO of them falling on bitterly cold SUNDA YS) i had to call in the repair team.....LOL (guess i should have paid more attention when *s* head was changing it )

last two times were only about 15 months apart, and the most recent was under insurance that i finally took out thru my gas/electric company..... Told the guy i had just had the glow plug replaced 15 months prior at a fairly high out of pocket expense, and asked him how long it should last....he said they often go out once or twice a year. boy was THAT a clincher for keeping the insurance......LOL

 

[freelancc]

or your glow plug is fried.

:shocked: :shocked:

 

[bubbas1]

The service guy just left. The good thing is he showed up 2 hrs before he was scheduled to. The bad new was it cost $90 for him to walk thru the door. It turned out to be the igniter. I watched him take it out and he showed me where there was a slight crack in it. He said its like a light bulb filiment. Any break in it and its no good. He said they go out every 6-7 years and I should replace it every 5 years. Total cost $210. Not as bad as I thought it would be for a Sunday service call. He was out of here in 15min.

YYZ..I will have to remember that site.

BahamaMama....Outstanding call:Yep: :Yep: You called it correct. Thanks

 

[djv]

You did the right think. If you have no idea, you do not want to screw with gas. As for next time if you watched closely. Can you get to the part easy. If so some times they just need alittle cleaning. You said this one was cracked forsure so it had to go.
Most folks will watch in the fall for special deal for a furnace check and cleaning. With gas you should have it done every other year till furnace is at least 10 years old. Then every year after that. If you watch many times it' just 79 to 89 bucks. But can help save in long run the extra 1 or 2 hundred.

 

[IntenseOperator]

bubba

The blower motor that pushs hot air throughout the house vents sounds like its shot.

Its about $300. to replace it including labor.

New furnace installed is $2,000.

KOD

that's $2500 - $3000 here