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    grippthis's Avatar
    grippthis Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 13, 2008, 12:34 PM
    Ignitor works, just not in the furnace
    I posted a question before about how my ignitor kept going out. Well after replacing the ignitor again last night and the furnace not working again this morning, we tested one of the old ignitors. I guess it hasn't been the ignitor after all because when one of the old ones was plugged into 120 it fired right up to a bright orange glow. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to check next? Could it be the control module?

    Thanks for any help I can get:)
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
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    #2

    Dec 13, 2008, 12:39 PM
    Check for voltage at the control board where the ignitor is pluged in. When you stert the furnace power should be there in short order when calling for heat. If no power at the board then it could be a bad board or another device in the system.
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #3

    Dec 13, 2008, 12:44 PM

    What type of furnace is this?
    grippthis's Avatar
    grippthis Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Dec 13, 2008, 12:49 PM

    Sorry, it is a 2000 Amana.
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #5

    Dec 13, 2008, 12:52 PM

    Do you own a voltage meter?
    grippthis's Avatar
    grippthis Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Dec 13, 2008, 12:55 PM

    Yes, I'm a licensed electrican.
    KC13's Avatar
    KC13 Posts: 2,556, Reputation: 99
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    #7

    Dec 13, 2008, 12:58 PM

    "Did anyone stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?"
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #8

    Dec 13, 2008, 01:00 PM

    Ok, power the furnace down, unplug the ignitor, stick your tester leads into the plug and power the furnace up. Do you have 120volts?
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #9

    Dec 13, 2008, 01:01 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by KC13 View Post
    "Did anyone stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?"
    No,did you?
    grippthis's Avatar
    grippthis Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Dec 13, 2008, 01:15 PM

    I will get down in the crawl space now and check it out, may take a few.
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #11

    Dec 13, 2008, 01:52 PM

    Ok, let us know what you find.
    grippthis's Avatar
    grippthis Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Dec 13, 2008, 01:54 PM

    Went down to test using a Fluke D.M.M. and it read 113 V across the leads for about 7 seconds then dropped to zero. Hooked ignitor back in and it fired right up. Turned furnace off and on three times and it continued to work each time. Very confused as to why it will ignite when messed with but will not reignite during normal cycling. Does this help?
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #13

    Dec 13, 2008, 02:02 PM

    I'm guessing something else is going on here. Something is probably holding it out, like a pressure switch not properly closing would be my guess. Is this a 90% furnace?
    grippthis's Avatar
    grippthis Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #14

    Dec 13, 2008, 02:10 PM
    I'm not sure, it says Amana 80 Series.
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #15

    Dec 13, 2008, 02:11 PM

    Metal or plastic exaust vent?
    grippthis's Avatar
    grippthis Posts: 8, Reputation: 1
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    #16

    Dec 13, 2008, 02:13 PM
    Metal
    hvacservicetech_07's Avatar
    hvacservicetech_07 Posts: 1,083, Reputation: 75
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    #17

    Dec 13, 2008, 02:15 PM

    Ok, Can you locate the pressure switch? Round and silver, rubber tube runs from the switch to the draft fan.
    hvac1000's Avatar
    hvac1000 Posts: 14,540, Reputation: 435
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    #18

    Dec 13, 2008, 03:43 PM
    This unit is in the crawl space. Moisture could have got to some contacts and on a temporary basis stopped the unit from working. Now that the contacts have been disturbed (unplug and plug in ignitor for example) it is working. If it fails again post back since like hvacservicetech 07 said the vac/pressure switch or other components could also be having a problem. Get the exact model number when you are down there and post for the record.
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