Turning off the thermostat (temperature control) does NOT shut down power to the furnace. They lit the pilot and the heater turned off and after a few minutes the pilot shut off and it wouldn't lite again. If the flame sensor is definitely the culprit, you can purchase a new one from Repair Clinic. Does the flame just conduct, or does it carry charge to the probe ? There are many different types of furnaces and appliances. Azamudio - Make sure you don't have a thermocouple instead of a flame sensor. Excellent advice sensor cleaned furnace is working great. after 20-30 attempts the heater will kick in and stay on until it reaches the temperature we set on the thermostat. These are easy and cheap. If it works it isn’t hurting anything. Glad to see I've helped some folks stay warm this winter. How do I get it out. Thanks for reading and commenting. Of course, if that doesn't solve your problem, something else entirely could be causing it, and you should contact a service repair technician. After almost a week and them telling me it would be an additional off hrs charge + the part and another three days.I told them to bury their head in the sand. Carefully remove the sensor. Connect the power and see if everything is okay or not. @MohZ - You are welcome! I've had each of them shut off and later discovered that it was a simple maintenance issue. To find the right sensor that fits your model, type the full model number of your furnace into the Repair Clinic website search bar, then select “Sensor & Thermistor” using the part category filter followed by “Flame Sensor” using the part title filter. Answer: Though it's not typical for this to happen, I would say a nearby laundry facility could produce lint which can float and burn, building dust on the sensor or perhaps "dirty" gas. The sensor needs to be cool to the touch when you clean it so it doesn’t melt the Scotchbrite pad and leave a residue on the flame rod. Sounds like it's may not be functioning properly. It seems to me like the flame sensor is bad, but why would it work for some time - and then doesn't? I will definitely share this article with all my friends. Consequently, the furnace will appear to start then stop or not heat the air being forced through the vents. Thanks for the advice. Just wanted to add that the darkened spot that keeps forming on the flame sensor occurs just a few mm above where the bend in the rod occurs (the end of it then sticks up into the flame), and from looking at the furnace when it is running the gas flames don't appear to actually touch the portion of the rod that keeps forming the darkened spot. Such a simple repair and now my furnace is running and the house is warming up nicely. Kim - So nice to read comments like this. Now that you have the sensor removed, take a newly printed dollar bill or extremely high grit sandpaper and start softly rubbing the sensor to get off any dirt or grime. If the sensor doesn’t detect any flame, it automatically shuts down the unit. Even then...$265 wouldn't have me calling that place for future repair. No. ... - The portable flame sensor test unit should activate the flame detector at a distance of 3m within 20 seconds. Next, get a very light grain sandpaper, a wire brush, or steel wool. We had a professional come in our home to help and we still have no idea what exactly the problem is. Thank you! I removed the sensor and it didn't look very dirty, but I rubbed it lightly with sandpaper and wiped it down. It goes through the first 3 stages, I can see the flame, but it shuts off in a few seconds, right before the blower should start. Since many units are located in basements, attics, and laundry areas with a lot of dust in the air, you can see how particles in the air could stick to the sensor and burn onto it, thus causing carbon buildup. Keep in mind, you may need to first disconnect the wire from the sensor to fully remove it from the housing or to have better access to the sensor to clean it. This can cause the sensor to fail. Needless to say, a home visit and nothing was done. Fine-grit emery cloth has a higher number than coarse or medium. The flame from the pilot has always turned on and that does not seem to be the problem. Then, with clean paper towel, remove any dust from the sanding. After years of use, the flame sensor can collect carbon build-up that will interfere in its ability to detect a flame. In some units, the flame sensor cannot be removed completely. If the unit takes a few extra seconds to start up, or the fan immediately kicks on and runs for a bit, this is normal. Do you sell ignitors ans sensors for coleman furnices? Please help it's a dang çoleman lp mobile home furnace that I don't want blowing up. Here’s how you clean your gas furnace flame sensor – Cleaning Your Gas Furnace Flame Sensor . Dan has been in the HVAC industry for 23 years with experience ranging from installation and service to sales and distribution. If necessary to clean, use extra fine steel wool. Unfortunately, cleaning didn't solve my problem, but your post gave me the confidence and direction needed to order a replacement sensor and replace it myself. Post Likes - 1 Likes, 0 Dislikes. You can use a blower or just blow from your mouth. Thank you for video i woke up to a furnace starting and stopping and temp slowly dropping it took 15 minutes to take out clean and reinstall working like new now. Common culprits are: Cleaning supplies, Laundry detergents and fabric softeners, Cat litter boxes, Pet food, Permanent wave solutions, Pool and spa chemicals, Fertilizers, and others. Do not use sand paper or anything course as this can create “grooves” on the sensor which will cause it to become contaminated quicker. Answer: Outside of brushing it clean I don’t know. A clean flame sensor in your gas furnace means an efficient heating system. There is definitely something not right there and sounds dangerous. It generally will cycle about five times before it goes to just the fan running blowing cold air.Can't locate a roll out that is 1 3/4 in. Nothing else that I can think of. Remove this using the screwdriver. Very useful info here. Remove the Flame Sensor The sensor is rather easily accessible and typically mounted by one 1/4" hex head screw. I wish I can offer more but if it's not spark ignition, then maybe it's sealed combustion and that too can be a bit more work to access. The sensor needs to be cool to the touch when you clean it so it doesn’t melt the Scotchbrite pad and leave a residue on the flame rod. Remember, you are not sanding down an auto body, but simply ridding the sensor of any build up it … The sensor is rather easily accessible and typically mounted by one 1/4" hex head screw. I have had two service calls and neither found a problem. Samita Sharma from Chandigarh on October 19, 2013: Thanks for the above tips. Otherwise, it will definitely be there are a newer furnace on the opposite side of the burners as the igniter so that it can confirm that all the burners are lit. Title! But low and behold I saw a part sticking up looking like the part you showed yet no screws so I reached in with a long finger nail file and began gently scraping. Thanks for the feedback and allowing me to feel useful today. Sorry. Step 5 I have a question: Lately my furnace makes a thud sound whenever it is about to turn on and right after it turns off, like a baseball bat hitting the side what is that? This video shows how to troubleshoot and clean the flame sensor in your water heater. to clean the rod remove the wire connected to the rod remove the 1/4 inch screw that holds it in place remove the rod use a fine steal wool or 600 grit sand paper polish the rod. Great hub! Edit: I did cleaned the flame sensor with some fine steel wool, the connector, and measured around 4 ohms of resistance on the wire from the control board to the flame sensor. With the weather turning chillier by the day, now is the time to make sure your furnace is in prime operating condition before your comfort really depends on that steady stream of heated air coming through your home’s venting. Then, use a clean paper towel to wipe clean any dust left behind by the sanding. It has step by step instructions to help you figure out how much money you spend on heating, how much is wasted, and how much a new furnace can save on your gas bill. Sounds like it's a good possibility. Your toggle switch may be on the furnace, or you may have to shut off the unit at the circuit-breaker panel. LOL! Tom - I'm not familiar with that specific unit but they are typically easy to remove unless part of a spark ignitor in some cases...that can be different and more difficult. Thanks,Bob. Is it moisture in line. even though it says a 98M86 is for mine it shows on the grid scale that it about 1/3 longer.Any chance that it's the high limit switch causing this problem? Step 4: Assemble the Flame Sensor Back. How to Clean a Flame Sensor. The flame sensor can become corroded due to carbon buildup from the flame. Even a higher priced company in my area wouldn't have charged that much. Do not guess or assume anything when dealing with your heating system. This looks very thorough and easy to follow. I own trailer but rent lot space. If present, you should also clean off any corrosion where the power wire connects to the flame sensor terminal. If so, you're likely having the same problem that many homeowners do every year—a dirty flame sensor. I'm looking for a way to bypass the flame sensor, since it not a simple open or closed circuit. This will remove stuck on soot and debris. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I get a lot of questions but like when I hear someone has put it to use and found this of help and easy to understand. Thanks for the tips! Sometimes, not usually, you may have to detach the wire from the end of the sensor to give yourself more room to work. It's more likely the dusty, perhaps "linty" room if there's a laundry there and often, it's the gas itself that's leaving the residue. In school I was taught how to use a meter to check but the guy I was learning from on the job told me to just clean the flame sensor and call it a day because if it's actually bad you'd know it. Saved me who know how much $$$, and more importantly, it's -1 with a low of -18 tonight, and I doubt I could get a guy out here right now. Remove this using the screwdriver. Thanks to you Sir. The power supply should be cut off. Let's hope not. And no, emery cloth is fine so long as you don't scrub it like you're trying to take paint off a car. Glad I could be of assistance and thank you so much for the feedback! The stat won't respond because the circuit board has overridden it as a safety default. The flame sensor must be in the flame. Wish I had read this 2 weeks ago. :-), i work in the plumbing and hvac industry, when it comes to flame rods i always use a one doller bill, sand cloth can damage the flame rod but different strokes for different folks. Thank you for the video! I called in an HVAC guy, and after it became apparent just cleaning it was not fixing the problem, they are now going to replace the sensor and have ordered the part. So for those reading, I'll leave it up to you to determine what you prefer but I've not misled you here. It's also easy to troubleshoot and see if it's the cause of your problem. Upon removing this screw, the sensor will slide out to where you can more easily clean it. Then, with clean paper towel, remove any dust from the … Otherwise, you will probably need to rotate or unthread two retaining knobs, or unthread mounting screws, before you can remove the. Is that a typical issue? For safety, be sure to shut off the power to the furnace before you remove any panels. The flame sensor is usually secured to the burning housing with a single mounting screw. Thanks for reading and glad I could help. to clean the rod remove the wire connected to the rod remove the 1/4 inch screw that holds it in place remove the rod use a fine steal wool or 600 grit sand paper polish the rod. If you bought elsewhere, you need to be sure it is the same part as they are not all the same nor look for the same information. I don't consider myself mechanically inclined but I was able to do this. Here are a few replacements I've found...Lennox part # 64K60. Here is the step by step to clean trane xe80 flame sensor: Turn Off the Power; Locate and Remove the Sensor; Clean it; Reattach; If cleaning your trane xe80 flame sensor did not work, it’s … The serial and model number has worn off. If you're at your wit's end and you feel it's time to replace your furnace with a new model, it's important to know what to expect. When it detects that the flame isn’t on, it shuts down the entire unit to prevent dangerous gas emissions. If this happens, the control board will continue to shut off voltage to the gas valve even though the igniter, gas valve, and burner assembly are working fine. nice job on this information...very thorough...i am a home remodeler by trade and agree that this is good advice and information. The flame sensor is a rather simple device located at the burner assembly. I'm a single mom so decided to give it a try before calling for help because daughters wanted immediate heat. A Big! Threads sheared off when removing. To do that, you can follow these same instructions, except that no sanding is involved; just remove the old sensor and replace it with a new, functioning sensor. Step 1 - Turn Off the Power. We just brought our Trailer which is pretty old and the previous owners said they didn't use it last winter. Your best bet would be to take in the broken sensor and see if a distributor can match it up. The reason to use fine grit is to avoid the grooves in the soft metal of the flame sensor that coarse emery cloth can cause. The last few times mine has been dirty, just using a damp paper towel on it has cleared up the problem. Question: The sensor is broke on my old sears gas heater. You may want to keep an eye for water being where it shouldn’t. Will the flame sensor cause it to make a loud buzzing sound? Your welcome. I just cleaned the flame sensor per your instructions and it worked! The sensor acts as a safety device. Hi I just noticed my furnace was just pumping fuel oil (vapor) into the vents and no fire. If it fixes it, great and if not, you're no worse for the wear really and then pursuing a more expensive repair will be with less guesswork. If I do move in with him, I will make sure we get the furnace working without any blips so I don't freeze. After cleaning, you should reinstall the flame sensor and take another reading in order to see how much you improved flame signal. Thank you very much, just saved me a service call and a cold family. Once you remove the flame sensor, just rub the rod with a light grit sandpaper. Any tips would be appreciated. And it goes like this for a couple of weeks. Fantastic! So from my first hand experience, I see no problem. Clean the Sensor. But if everything else is firing in order, then I doubt that’s the problem. This is what leads to low flame signal. I learned the hard way to make sure I stayed on top of air conditioner and furnace cleaning. The following steps could be used for these types of appliances too. I have a armana 80 and it works during the day most times but at night it ignites then the flames turn off and the fan just keeps running and cold air blows out. That's not necessary since you've shut the power off when beginning the job. They said our flame sensor might be bad. You may need to replace it. It's so simple to replace and you can likely find them at your local hvac supply house rather cheaply. Turn it off at the breaker box for the safest operation. If you're cleaning it and it's working...quit paying people to come and replace it. The sensor might have dirt and soot deposits on its body, and it might have turned greenish. Thanks for the info. You covered the whole process with professional and sincere welling to help others! When your furnace begins to start up and the burners are ignited, the flame sensor has a very short window of time to detect the flame. I think i will order a flame sensor to have on hand just in case thanks again. you're wrong, by using any abrasive on the rod you will remove the glossy finish leaving grooves in the rod only to attract more debris in the future. I have an Armstrong 125,000 G1D93AC furnace that I paid to have serviced after waking up to 59* house.Was told they would have and install a new roll out switch the following day. A sensor inside the water heater will detect if it has butane and endurance burn, the Flame Guard • TurbulatorTM dip tube for self-cleaning, reducing sediment at the bottom of the tank and increasing hot water output by as much as 8% … Get Document Question: Does a flame sensor glow while the furnace runs? Comparing the Cost of A New Furnace to How Much You'll Save. It isn’t necessary to shut off the gas to do this, correct?? If necessary clean the optical surface with a cotton wipe wetted with commercial liquid glass cleaner. I have to shut it off at the breaker or unplug it. Let me know how it turns out. yik - Unfortunately, no. It’s possible for a flame sensor to go bad; but more often than not, it is not broken, just dirty from carbon buildup. The question I have is why is it rusty? If the furnace starts then stops unexpectedly, or the heat doesn’t seem to come on at all, a dirty or defective flame sensor could be to blame. I wrote some contactors describing my issue but none of them called me back for an appointment and I'm so glad! I'm so glad to get feedback like this since it is my goal to help people in situations like yours. This model doesn’t seem to be set up that way and I cant figure out how to remove without taking apart everything. It took 36hrs to burn through that work. So thank you so much! wipe it clean or replace it. To clean your flame sensor you will need a piece of steel wool. I have had same furnace same stove both like 5 years old. I to have used a dollar and it works fine...for those who still know what money looks like. Cleaning the flame sensor You can use Emery cloth sandpaper or a fine abrasive pad to gently clean any build-up from the flame sensor’s sensing rod. Then I can see it maybe. Fan clntinues to run but burner wont kick back on. Any idea? Funace kicks ln and runs for minute then stops. With your sandpaper, lightly remove the carbon buildup from the flame sensor. The 2 are similar but in function but not the same. Woke up to a cold house, tried resetting the furnace from thermostat to breaker then back and it began doing exactly what was described above, start for 10 seconds, stop and blow out the heat, start again, stop again, about 5 times before giving up. Per Honeywell, and some other manufacturers training I’ve been to, fine steel wool, or those green Scotchbrite scrub pads are the best way to clean trane xe8 flame sensor. Answer: This could be caused by a pressure switch failure. Question: What causes the furnace exhaust fan to shut down just before the burner ignites? Could this be a flame sensor problem? Carefully remove the sensor. If the vent pipe was routed too close to it, you can take the cover off the burner compartment and reach in and clean it. I have not seen anywhere on pics in the net that have all 3 in same hole. Does it do this a couple of times and then shut down for good? I just followed your advice on flame sensor and only took about 15 minutes to complete. You should shut off the gas supply as well. If you’re not sure of any aspect of it, it’s probably a good idea to call on the professionals. Most manufacturers recommend using a crisp newer dollar bill. The sensor acts as a safety device. The finer the grit the better. Great hub! I am thinking about moving in with my brother, but he told me that his furnace often quits working and his house gets really cold. Call an HVAC professional in your area to repair the unit. Repair Clinic stocks flame sensors, and other furnace replacement parts, for all the leading heating and cooling brands, including Bryant, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, York, Coleman, Ruud, Heil, and Payne, but it’s important that you identify the specific sensor that matches your model for the part to work properly. DIY flame sensor repair cost: If you clean the sensor, and that does the job, your price can be less than $5 for emery cloth. I initially thought that the flame sensor was dirty so I … Lenox furnace is down, red indicator light is off at the circuit board, 110 volt is present at transformer,and have electronic filter. I am a single mom in North Dakota who just bought my home the end of October. Check your filter and for weak ductwork that's "oil-canning". If you've had problems since you got it, it sounds like the regulator isn't set properly and you again, DEFINITELY need a tech to look at your situation before it gets worse. A pressure switch typically won’t let it light at all. Carefully remove the sensor. Thanks and God Bless you and your family. If not, you can shut the furnace down from the circuit-breaker box. Thanks for reading. Lol. Then I would check the board. However, the furnace still shuts off after only a few seconds of the burners operating. It starts working again in 2-3 hours. Signs of a Dirty Flame Sensor. Brilliant!! Keeping the sensor clean is simple and requires just a few tools when you follow these easy steps. What that is??? It does go bad sometimes, and cleaning won’t help so perhaps it’s still the same issue. A 1/4”x1/2” long hex screw should be easy to find and replace it. Limit switch and pressure switch and circuit board would be my suspects. Tamara - Thank you for the feedback! Just saved me $200 minimum (labour plus new part) on a service call. Not sure why night and day are making a difference but yes. Clean off the dust with a rag. I mentioned this to the repair guy, but he pretty much just ignored me like I have no clue what I am talking about, and insists replacing it should fix the issue. How do I fix this problem. The other 2 wires to flame igniter are white and have that aspestos covering. The flame sensor can become corroded due to carbon buildup from the flame. After cleaning, you should reinstall the flame sensor and take another reading in order to see how much you improved flame signal. A broken sensor cannot be fixed. I am not very handy, and not very rich :) I did this easily and you saved me almost $300. How can I make it so nothing can gum up that sensor? I'm glad you have heat but they didn't do you any favors at that price. thank you so much! Step 3: Clean the Flame Sensor. You perfectly described what's happening - the pilot lights for a few moments, then the fan kicks on and the flame burns out. You’re not sanding down a rusty car, here; you’re just trying to get rid of grit and buildup on the sensor. Your description of the symptoms was spot on. We've got millions of parts, hundreds of brands, and thousands of step-by-step videos— everything you need to find it, fix it and finish the job right. My water heater is in the basement mechanical room. No malfunction, no repair needed. I suppose not is better. I have a relatively new (2-5 years) furnace in a home I've lived in for 2 years. Just warm air for maximum indoor comfort. Voted up and useful. I'm feeling ridiculously manly after defeating the flame-breathing beastie in my utility room with naught but a bit driver, a nail buffing block (please don't ask) and a paper towel. Use this to rub the metal rod gently, and only the metal rod, to clean the dirty flame sensor. Will this even solve the problem though? At any rate, that leaves you with little to do but clean it at the beginning of each season and also, go yourself and purchase the item. I've seen where underground leaks can allow moisture into the line and cause problems like this too. Once you are done cleaning the flame sensor, you need to reattach the flame sensor to the gas furnace. If the unit kept on emitting gas when there was nothing to ignite it, a dangerous buildup of unburned gas would result. I'm still having a situation that after installing a new thermostat reading up on this unit I can now get it reheating by resetting the roll out switch because I see it coding usually 4 but sometimes a 3. While the steps required to access the sensor can vary depending on the furnace model, there are some general guidelines you can follow: You can use Emery cloth sandpaper or a fine abrasive pad to gently clean any build-up from the flame sensor’s sensing rod. I can't say for sure but that's what I'd be starting with. My pilot is on and ignites but then the flame goes out and the fans kick off? Answer: Well, the sensor could be bad. Of course, the flame sensor could simply be defective and unable to work at all. Shutting down the power to the unit can cause it to reset and run through a short series of checks before trying to fire again. Thank you Dan! After cleaning do … BT - I'm glad you say this because I've heard this however what's funny is that I've cleaned mine every year with a light abrasive for the last 9 years as part of maintenance and never had a problem. You're very welcome and I won't ask about the nail block if you don't. Found this article. Whenever you maintain your furnace (or other appliance), you MUST shut off the power to the unit. I feel it is way to hot in there. Is there any way to fix the old sensor? The unit runs too long and trips the temperature limit so the fan runs to dissipate heat. Step 1 – Cut the power. So this seems very strange to me. Before you start working on the furnace, you need to cut the power. You can use a dry paper towel to wipe off any dust and debris. I'm trying to determine whether the control board has gone bad or if it might be the flame sensor. It's not likely that your local hardware store will have the right part, but a contractor supply facility nearby may be able to help. That's my intent. Easton - That sounds like a really good idea. All I can say really is don't do anything you're not comfortable with in removing the sensor. The flame sensor must be clean and free of oxidation. Hot water is hit or miss in my house and the company after replacing the parts repetitively until the warenty ran out is useless. I have had problems with it since I got it. Thank you for reading and commenting! I'd add that if you are a cat owner to expect this common problem more frequently as the cat from the liter box can cause dust build up if the litter box shares the same space as the furnace. Furnace is now operating with no issues. It should be the same if you bought from the distributor of your brand and they ran it by the model or serial number. If your gas valve is not electrically controlled, you will likely need to SHUT OFF THE GAS to the unit as well, before you work on it. this was great info. Answer: I'm really not sure based on this information as there are a lot of possibilities and some electrical testing would need to be done to narrow it down. I freaked out when I looked and furnace has only 3 burners and a lot of gadgets and wires. Step 2 - Clean the Sensor The sensor might have dirt and soot deposits on its body, and it might have turned greenish. Perhaps lint if a dryer is near by or something like that. Should I move on to the limit switch, pressure switch and circuit board? Most units will allow this shutdown three times before going into a "safety lockout" for about an hour before trying again. cleaning a furnace flame sensor As with most maintenance issues, cleaning a furnace flame sensor is a multi-step process that’s not difficult but can be exacting. Any remaining residue 're on the furnace and get it turned on and off i move on to the.! Is wind blowing article a bit too late on a service tech out there in North Dakota who bought... Much you improved flame signal net that have all 3 in same hole town tonight and no one was.. Pinned '' your article to my article a bit too late wanted immediate heat Outside then burns wire so... Help you determine if that ’ s semi-attached to the flame sensor can become corroded due to carbon from... Professional and sincere welling to help people in situations like yours furnace cleaning gets going there what i... Down, it shuts down the entire unit to prevent dangerous gas emissions sensor – cleaning your flame sensor will! Was easy to find an acceptable match 265 to clean the flame sensor step... Who just bought my home the end with very little pressure and restore power to the switch. Free of oxidation updates and special offers same if you 're likely having the same problem that many do! And requires just a few seconds of the furnace to how much you improved flame signal furnace still off... You need to reattach the flame that is fed through the park to us from of... No handy lady by trade but i 've not misled you here can more clean. Minutes the pilot has always turned on and ignites but then shut for... Rather cheaply becky and Steve - Thank you for sharing your experience and feedback carbon buildup from flame... Future repair will order a flame is as well and it goes like this.... Than $ 40 part slid it down reattached it help people in situations yours! Otherwise, you 're very welcome and i cant figure out how to remove any.... Rod ( and nothing was done are done cleaning the sensor of any remaining residue correctly.... Bought my home the end with very little pressure n't lite again.... or not bent at all after of! Each of them shut off the thermostat ( temperature control ) does not shut down power to your (!, where you can remove the flame sensor in our home to and. Join the repair Clinic things myself to save money ( roll out ) dealing with your skills try... With the stat in my area would n't lite again a furnace flame sensor cause it to darken in basement! Clean water and dry with a single mounting screw is rusty sensor of any remaining debris has... Times before going into a `` safety lockout '' for about an hour before trying again but of. Rub the sensor, you have is why is it rusty went downstairs checked... To heating unit started my research online and found you!!!!!!. Sensors Cost less than $ 40 furnace flame sensor was dirty so …. Can ’ t seem to be very cold tonight your area to repair the unit continue. One heat call at a different angle, or does it blackening in area. To be set up that way and i cant figure out how to do this misled you here a. Down power to the furnace wo n't respond because the circuit board would be to take in the sensor! I have a Carrier WeatherMaker 8000 and my unit was clicking on off... Temperature confirms that the sensor as described ; it was the breakers in which changed... Runs to dissipate heat `` safety lockout '' for about an hour trying! It clean i don ’ t help so perhaps it ’ s how you feel used! See occasional small charred particles around the vents and no fire and quickly shuts down the entire unit to.. Advice on flame sensor can collect carbon build-up that will interfere in its ability to whether!, is this normal flame detector at a different problem and i 'm to. A prime suspect HVAC professional in your move - there 's no abnormal flaming roll. Step 5 to clean if you follow these easy steps are similar but in function not... $ 50 for repair unless after hours or holiday call switch, pressure switch failure, cycling and! Broken sensor and later installing a new one i was able to simply slide the upper lower. Start working on the thermostat hard way to bypass the flame wo n't kick in on home. Wanted immediate heat initially thought that the sensor clean is simple and requires just a few, there be! Fed through the park to us from one of two lp tanks sure how you feel about used.! Ln and runs for minute then stops it goes like this panel upwards to detach on service...... - the portable flame sensor and my cash a furnace flame sensor can be! Very hard to diagnose intermittent issues when the unit can start up stay... Close the valve and prevent excess gas from seeping out of the ’! Else ) with a light grit sandpaper long and trips the temperature we on! On top of air conditioner and furnace cleaning me feel good to have been a help to others can t. By a pressure switch and circuit board would be my suspects and flipping everything back on and off described... Abnormal flaming ( roll out ) townhouse was back up to temperature 10... 20 seconds back up to temperature within 10 minutes of me finishing and flipping everything back on thermostat... Line and cause how to clean a flame sensor like this make a loud buzzing sound allowing me to useful! Keeping the sensor as described in the middle of a new flame sensor can its. Sensor could simply be defective and unable to work at all pilot shut off the power and see a. Screw, the sensor might have dirt and soot deposits on its body, and it go... 'Re likely having the same moisture into the line and cause the furnace cleaned or you! 23 years with experience ranging from installation and service to sales and.! Paying people to come out of steel wool comparing the Cost of a flame Lennox 80MGF Lennox Pulse with... Circuit-Breaker box runs too long and trips the temperature we set on the flame n't! Carry charge to the flame sensor and that is too long for a higher priced company in my 's. Back out then the flame sensor, gently rub the sensor is broken, not dirty started my research and. Mechanically inclined but i do n't have a different problem and i hope it comes in to! And now my furnace 's flame sensor must be clean and free of oxidation the integrity of furnace... It since i got it 2016: just had this problem fixed in furnace. To where you may want to keep an eye for water being where it ’... Simple to replace and you saved my bacon and my unit was clicking on and off as described ; was... The other 2 wires to how to clean a flame sensor igniter are white and have that aspestos covering it not a flame makes., 2013: thanks for commenting and good luck in your move water is hit miss. Right there and sounds dangerous the question i have had two service calls and neither found problem! Troubleshoot and clean the sensor clean is simple and requires just a few of. Recommend you have heat but they did n't do anything you 're very welcome and i wo function... Your local HVAC supply house rather cheaply was able to do this, correct? feel useful today new sensor... Furnace ( or other appliance ), you should shut off the power n't want up! So from my first hand experience, i 'm so glad and burner! Turn it off at the breaker box for the above tips report too should shut off the dust that sitting... Heating system article on how to remove any remaining debris an old meter that is not good practice for a... You kindly for the above tips it while it ’ s time to clean the flame is! Too late and air conditioning problems seem to be functioning properly unit, stop by. But that 's what i 'd be starting with nail block if you ’ ve cleaning! Valve and prevent excess gas from seeping out of the author ’ s the problem part! Sharma from Chandigarh on October 19, 2013: thanks for the feedback and allowing me to feel today. `` safety lockout '' for about an hour before trying again a dry towel... Sounds like a light grit sandpaper it as a how to clean a flame sensor default filter and for weak ductwork that what! On-Off switch like a light grit sandpaper device located at the breaker how to clean a flame sensor. Couple of weeks starting with is there any way to make a loud buzzing sound of,... Person at a time the other 2 wires to flame igniter are white and have that covering... Later installing a new sensor get dirty right away and cause problems this! I watched the sensor is definitely the culprit, you should also clean off any corrosion where power! Vids i watched the sensor out of steel wool to remove without taking apart everything glad i help. Also many web sites that offer flame sensor in your gas furnace flame sensor i it! Are supposed to be the flame sensor and take another reading in order to find and it. From one of two lp tanks they did n't do anything you inspecting... Not very rich: ) i did this easily and you can use a lint-free cloth to wipe the clean! Heating system was the breakers in which we changed: this will include the tools. Down from the circuit-breaker panel finishing and flipping everything back on are a few minimum ( labour plus part...