Furnace out!

Our heating system has been working fine for the winter (yeah!). This morning the heat did not kick on. I know the furnace gets the signal since the blower starts (not the circulating fan, the furnace blower). However, the furnace does not light. It might be the ignitor or the gas valve. There were no status light indicators. Has anyone had similar experience?

Plus, who do you use for service? We used someone way back when we moved in (6 years ago) but have not had anyone out since then.

Thanks in advance.

 

I know Wittman Mechanical installed a lot of the HVAC systems for Broadlands. We have had them out a couple of times since buying and they were very professional and the prices were not bad.

 

I have the number for the people that installed our furnace, I am sure it is the same for your house. That is who I have called and the guy that comes out is very nice. I am sorry your furnace is out hopefully it is a cheap and easy repair.

 

What was the name iof the furnance? I may be able to help you out as I've had the same problem this winter and a neighbor helped me out and fixed it.

 

Goodman furnace? Had this exact problem myself. Could be one of two things (or both).
1. ignitor (about $30) You can get the part from tribbles off shaw road part number 767A-378
2. Pressure switch: also about $30 Also at Tribbles off Shaw road. I don't have the part number in front of me, but I can get it if you want.

I can almost guarentee this is your problem. Let me know if you want me to take a look at it. It's a 5 minute fix, once you have the parts. These two parts only last about 5 years. PM me if you want more details.

Also, you can test the ignitor with an ohm meter. As for the pressure switch, they are very sensitive. You don't want to mess with it much. The diaphram is very fragile (i.e. dont blow in it). Our ignitors are made out of Silicon Carbide, the new ones are silicon nitride (last longer). I just used the OEM replacement, which should get me another 5 years.

Also, dont touch the element of the ignitor. They are like halogen bulbs. If you get finger oils on it, it will burn out early. The oils heat up on the element and it fails.

 

one other thing.....we have a goodman and what we need to do (starting last year)...is about 2X a year we go up and run a paperclip through a little hole in the system....which I guess gets full of some "stuff"....once we get that done then the heater works again.....

 

This happened to us this morning. Can you tell me what the part number is for the pressure switch, as well. Thanks!!

 

I think we need a "furnace out" party!

 

The same thing happens to me and a paperclip always gets the heater going...Its so weird that a paperclip that is all needs to be done!!!

 

I had Bowman's out to look at an AC issue last year (it was the capacitor, again a common problem) and he offered to look at the furnace while he was there. He showed me that even cleaning the ignitor when the furnace stopped working could often fix the problem and save a service call. Don't know anything about pressure switches though...

 

We had the same thing (I think it was last year), they came out and cleaned it with a paper clip. That seems to be the trick.

Mike

 

I was able to spend more time with the furnace today (such a wonderful time!). Based on taking some voltage readings and the blinking light code, the issue is with the pressure switch. I'll check Tribbles to see if they have the part. Thanks Neighbor.

 

Where exactly do you put the paper clip?

(T8 -- I'm not asking YOU.)

 

It is a bit tricky to explain but you open it up, pull out a little rubber hose and run the paper clip in the hole

 

So, Tribbles was out of the part but the Goodman distributor does have it. However, the Goodman distributor said they can't sell to me since I'm not a licensed HVAC contractor. What! I guess I'll order it from Tribbles although they told me it would take 2 weeks!

 

You can adjust the PS to make it work for now. Loosen the diaphram using the center screw while taking a volt meter reeding (while the unit is running). When you get a circuit, stop turning the screw. That should work fir now. This is not permanent as the PS comes adjusted from the factory for your unit.

 

As a follow up to the Furnace troubles many of us have had, especialy with Goodman equipment.

I finally got tired enough of the Furnace going out every couple of week, and given the fact that all my usual tricks stopped working I tried to "fix" this once and for all. I called local supply stores for a pressure switch and of course found out that supplies were out and would be about a week before available. Well the family was not happy waiting a week and I thought about ordering online but there were a few days to wait for that too.

And in case the problem was more complicated, I just bit the bullet and called Bowman. They had been mentioned here before and were able to come out the next day. They have a minimum fee - which I expected but I figured this would be part of the repair.

Well it took 10 minutes for the repair guy to walk from his truck, install the pressure switch and turn the furnace back on. And $300 later... I think I was charged an unreasonable fee. He was a nice guy and very helpful but said that it was a standard fee for the work.

I asked him how much they charged for the parts... thinking we would add it to the fee for arriving (which was around $85). The part itself is about $25. Hard to make a choice at that point but at least I know how to do this myself next time (in case the attic needs this too).

Just sharing my experience and I would caution using Bowman at least based upon my 1 experience unless you like spending money.

 

Not uncommon, it's part of a business model that seems to perpetuate itself around here. A neighbor got the same thing for the start capacitor on an A/C unit.

 

Our furnace stopped working yesterday too. Right at 5 years since we moved in. A paperclip did the trick! Thanks for the tip.

 

Ok,,, peeps.. What is this paperclip trick that's mentione here over and over? Where do I stick the paperclip? the Goodman we have has two panels in the front. Do I open the top one or the bottom one??