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Jim in Kent · Oct 25, 2007, 06:22 PM

I have a Janitrol furnace, that I believe to about 50 yrs. Old, model # FEC 120-84, type D. When I turn the thermostat on, the pilot light will not ignite the burners. I then go to the furnace and trip a microswitch that appears to be wired to a thermocouple and activated by a rod that goes from the pilot light to the switch. If I push the rod, the burners will light. I have to hold the rod in for almost 10 seconds, then the burners will stay lit. Some times it will stay lit by just triping the switch. The furnace will continue to go on and off at night with the thermostat and when I turn in on in the morning I have to go through the same process again. What do you think the problem is?

Thank you,

Jim

hvac1000 · Oct 25, 2007, 11:58 PM

Sounds like you have a thermocouple with a low voltage (harness/safety cut off) attached. Those parts are still available. I would replace the part with one of the same type and go from there. The one I am talking about might have 2 1/4 spade connectors and others had wire leeds.

wherr69 · Dec 12, 2007, 11:58 AM

Pilot lit will not ignite from thermostat

wmproop · Dec 13, 2007, 07:30 PM

Wow,, a 50 year old gas furnace, I would have a carbon monoxide detector in every room that has a register,and would still sleep with a window open

labman · Dec 13, 2007, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by wherr69

pilot lit will not ignite from thermostat

We need more details, perhaps the brand and model? At least explain if it has a standing pilot or the pilot ignites each cycle? Do you get sparks or thehot surface glows?

hvac1000 · Dec 13, 2007, 11:17 PM

I have a Janitrol furnace, that I believe to about 50 yrs. Old, model # FEC 120-84, type D

Here's the model labman.
This has the very old type safety because it is a 1956 furnace. They did not use electric spark back then but they did have a manual spark lighter on some models. Kind of like flint and steel and the flint was replaceable.

The parts are available somewhere but he would probably be better off changing to a more modern gas valve train assembly OR get a new furnace.

labman · Dec 14, 2007, 04:38 AM

Sorry hvac, read the post I quoted. How do you know wherr69 has a 50 year old furnace? Yes he should have started his own thread, but he didn't. If it was the 50 year old furnace, why would I have quoted the post and asked for the model when it was given in the first post? Your screw up, not mine.

hvac1000 · Dec 14, 2007, 05:01 AM

The thread is for Jim In Kent. Read the first post.

Are we now going to start answering questions about other equipment contained in someone else's post.

You were the person telling people to post there question in a new post and not in someone else's.

I do not read the quotes and I admit that because I never felt it necessary since you always played by the rules. But now you have decided to answer any question, anywhere, anytime, no mater what the subject,and this board is going to get really messed up with those kind of rules.

I always play by the rules and follow the scorecard but with you changing the rules it makes it difficult to know exactly what is the correct procedure for this venue.

Have a great day.