Home and Auto Furnace Question.

**Saulbadguy** · 12-31-2008, 09:29 PM

My furnace stopped working. When I turn on the heat, it runs for a few minutes and then shuts off. It won't kick on the fan automatically, so no air is blown at all. When I put the fan on "ON" it just blows cool air.

After it runs for a few minutes I have to flip the on/off switch on the furnace to get it to run again, but then it just shuts off again.

I did install a new furnace filter a few days ago, but I suspect that has nothing to do with this.

Thoughts?

**Skip Towne** · 12-31-2008, 09:31 PM

Is the burner lighting? Could be a thermocouple.

Coach · 12-31-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Is the burner lighting? Could be a thermocouple.

That or either a flame sensor or a pressure switch.

**Saulbadguy** · 12-31-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Is the burner lighting? Could be a thermocouple.

Hah. No, I don't see the pilot light.

**Lzen** · 12-31-2008, 09:38 PM

Sounds like it is not lighting. It is probably going through the startup process bu shuts down when it doesn't get ignition. I have been through that crap before. That is, until I replaced mine almost 2 years ago. Better have a professional check it out.

**Lzen** · 12-31-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Hah. No, I don't see the pilot light.

Probably an electronic ignition. Don't mind Skip. He's old. Most modern furnaces don't have a pilot light.

**Bugeater** · 12-31-2008, 09:41 PM

Brain box is probably fried.

**Saulbadguy** · 12-31-2008, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Probably an electronic ignition. Don't mind Skip. He's old. Most modern furnaces don't have a pilot light.

Upon further inspection, it is an electric ignition. (according to the sticker inside the access panel).

**2112** · 12-31-2008, 09:44 PM

You can bang on the igniter sometimes and get it to manually start. bang on it with your hand and then set the thermostat to like 80 once you get it started.

I had to do that on a cold night like 8 years ago until I could get somebody to fix it.

**Saulbadguy** · 12-31-2008, 09:44 PM

There are also no flashing red lights. According to the blinky red light, nothing is wrong.

Coach · 12-31-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Probably an electronic ignition. Don't mind Skip. He's old. Most modern furnaces don't have a pilot light.

Good call, I was thinking about the electronic ignition as well. I just know most of my problems were either a blocked pressure switch rubber hose valve or a flame sensor.

**2112** · 12-31-2008, 09:45 PM

When you turn the thermostat on do you here a constant clicking?

**Saulbadguy** · 12-31-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D2112

When you turn the thermostat on do you here a constant clicking?

Negatory. Set it and forget it. After a few minutes it will give up though and just shut off.

**Saulbadguy** · 12-31-2008, 09:48 PM

Every minute or so I do hear the furnace "hiss".

**Lzen** · 12-31-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

Good call, I was thinking about the electronic ignition as well. I just know most of my problems were either a blocked pressure switch rubber hose valve or a flame sensor.

Yep. I think my old furnace always seemed to have a problem with a blocked pressure switch.

Saul,
What kind of furnace?

12-31-2008, 09:29 PM
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2456966	Furnace Question. My furnace stopped working. When I turn on the heat, it runs for a few minutes and then shuts off. It won't kick on the fan automatically, so no air is blown at all. When I put the fan on "ON" it just blows cool air. After it runs for a few minutes I have to flip the on/off switch on the furnace to get it to run again, but then it just shuts off again. I did install a new furnace filter a few days ago, but I suspect that has nothing to do with this. Thoughts?
Posts: 46,969

12-31-2008, 09:31 PM	#2
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Is the burner lighting? Could be a thermocouple.
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12-31-2008, 09:38 PM	#5
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2100692	Sounds like it is not lighting. It is probably going through the startup process bu shuts down when it doesn't get ignition. I have been through that crap before. That is, until I replaced mine almost 2 years ago. Better have a professional check it out. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,394

12-31-2008, 09:41 PM	#7
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Brain box is probably fried.
Posts: 70,443

12-31-2008, 09:44 PM	#9
2112 Reset Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8516765	You can bang on the igniter sometimes and get it to manually start. bang on it with your hand and then set the thermostat to like 80 once you get it started. I had to do that on a cold night like 8 years ago until I could get somebody to fix it.
Posts: 22,061

12-31-2008, 09:45 PM	#12
2112 Reset Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8516765	When you turn the thermostat on do you here a constant clicking?
Posts: 22,061

12-31-2008, 09:48 PM	#14
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $2456966	Every minute or so I do hear the furnace "hiss".
Posts: 46,969