What causes a furnace ignitor to go bad?
Debris from the heat exchanger or bugs/spiders can get on the ignitor while the furnace is not calling for heat and when there is a call for heat the debris/bug can short the ignitor out. It is a good idea to keep your furnace and heat exchanger clean so this does not happen.
Why is my igniter not glowing?
On most furnaces the ignitor will not glow unless all the safety controls (limit, rollout switch/switches, pressure switch) are closed. If a limit or rollout switch is open, you can have an overheating problem and a possible dangerous condition. You may need to replace the limit switch or rollout switch.
When should I replace my furnace ignitor?
According to the Gas Furnace Guide, ignitors have an average lifespan of four to seven years. So, after about seven years, you may have to replace the ignitor; however, you probably won’t have to replace the entire furnace because other parts, such as the heat exchanger, can last more than 15 years.
Can you fix a furnace ignitor?
Most furnaces installed in buildings have a flame sensor and an ignitor. If the ignitor fails, the flame sensor will not work. Problems with a gas furnace ignitor can be fixed using simple techniques. However, if the ignitor does not work at all, it will have to be replaced.
What happens if your furnace ignitor goes out too much?
Anything over 125 volts is going to cause premature light bulb failure and furnace ignitor failure. Call your electric company if you are getting high voltage in your home. Your electric company should be able to place a transformer on your line to lower your line voltage.
What causes an ignition coil to stop working?
The resistance levels working in the ignition coil have to maintain at a mid-level constant in order to ensure proper function. A lower than normal or short resistance in the coil windings creates greater electricity flow through the ignition coil, which will quickly damage the entire ignition module.
What happens when an ignition control module fails?
Typically, when an ignition control module of this type fails it would be one of the three drivers (transistors) within it that controls a specific ignition coil giving up. Should this occur, the other two ignition coils would still function and the engine would run roughly on four cylinders instead of six.
Why do I get no spark on my igniter?
Erratic sparking usually indicates a bad spark module. However, cleaning the igniter electrode should always be the first course of action. If you are getting no spark at the igniter, check the power going to the unit, it may be disconnected. This could also be the result of a bad spark module.