Why doesn't my furnace work??

[SarichFan]

Ok overnight I don't know what happened but it was only 18 in the house and the heat was set on 21.. odd

I go to turn the heat on and it starts up like normal, runs for about 5 seconds, then stops.. then re-ignites, runs for 5 seconds and stops, and keeps doing this.

I didn't do anything to it, utils are paid... Anyone know what's going on? Who knows..

[4X4]

Maybe it's a union furnace and it's on a work-to-rule campaign?

[Nufy]

Sounds like your thermocouple.

It senses heat in the burners to allow the gas to keep flowing.

You should be able to get a replacemenrt at Home Depot....

[keratosis]

Could either be a control or the firebox heat sensor is messed up.
Time to call a furness repair Co.

[Locke]

Quit whining and just start a fire on your livingroom floor.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Locke

Quit whining and just start a fire on your livingroom floor.

Throw another Precious Moments photo album on the fire.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

aha. Having lived this a few weeks ago it is almost certainly your thermocoupler....thingy.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=54231

[keratosis]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Sounds like your thermocouple.

It senses heat in the burners to allow the gas to keep flowing.

You should be able to get a replacemenrt at Home Depot....

Actually a thermocouple uses heat to produce a micro electric charge
which activates a valve in the control. Said valve opens to allow
gas to the burners.

[Willy Plett]

Ya, it definately sounds like your flame/heat sensor. The part is usually about $30-40, and takes about 5 mins to put in.
You can take it out and clean it as well, which will often fix the problem. Use super fine steel wool or a clean cloth. The part looks like a little metal rod dangling in front of the flame. Make sure to turn of the furnace first (at the furnace).

[SarichFan]

There's no fricken way i'm opening up and tinkering with a furnace.. thanks otherwise. I'll just get someone to come out.

[Ford Prefect]

Dontcha know, all the hot air in the province has been preempted by the election.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by keratosis

Actually a thermocouple uses heat to produce a micro electric charge
which activates a valve in the control. Said valve opens to allow
gas to the burners.

Actually said valve is used to keep the flow of gas to the burners.

The t-couple is used as a safety device. If no heat is registered after
the gas / burners are lit it stops the flow of gas.

http://homerepair.about.com/od/heati...ot_light_2.htm

Just as is happening to Mr Sarichfan.

[SarichFan]

It's not that.. it's the Flame sensor.. I think it's just got too much build up on it that it doesn't sense properly. The Furnace runs a good 30 seconds, then stops, then 5, stops, then 2 stops, and repeat.

Where does one get a new Flame sensor?

[Willy Plett]

Originally Posted by SarichFan

There's no fricken way i'm opening up and tinkering with a furnace.. thanks otherwise. I'll just get someone to come out.

They're going to charge you about $100 just to come out, then whatever they charge for the part. Cleaning it your self takes about 5 mins.
All you do is flip the on/off switch to off. Open up the front door, which usually just lifts up and off. You should be able to see the part (flame sensor). It's likely mounted by one screw, and literally looks like a Metal stick attached to a wire. It's really quite simple. At least take a look...
If you're worried about that..Just call the gas man and pretend you think it's a gas problem. They'll come out and likely show you what to do.

[Locke]

Lock a kid in there just for kicks.

They seem to think they can do whatever they want just for kicks, turnabout is fair play.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Locke

Lock a kid in there just for kicks.

They seem to think they can do whatever they want just for kicks, turnabout is fair play.

Your always willing to help aren't you.

[SarichFan]

I actually opened it up as you said and got to the sense and tried filing off some grime.. There's too much on it.

Landlord will be sending someone out to fix it asap.. It was a brisk 14 when I woke up. lol

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Your always willing to help aren't you.

You've clearly never met me. I'm always willing to chip in a worthless two cents just for laughs even if I'm the only one laughing, but I will never help.

Helping just takes too much damn effort.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by SarichFan

Landlord will be sending someone out to fix it asap.. It was a brisk 14 when I woke up. lol

Landlord!? Geez, if you have a landlord why even bother to try and do anything yourself. One of the joys of renting is that when something breaks, you call up the landlord to fix it.

As for the temperature and the furnace kicking off and on. Turn off the furnace and turn on the oven and open the oven door. Not the most efficient way to heat the house, but you are using a boatload of gas in the furnace when its cycling like that; and not getting much heat in return.