PDA

View Full Version : Furnace stuck in the BLOWER CYCLE?


Bowser
Jan 11, 2008, 11:54 AM
I have an older Reclaimer 80 furnace, it is stuck with the blower on, and the burners or not igniting, is there a way to reset the system? - I have shut power off for a couple hours and it starts back up right were it left off. Also I can't shut it down at the thermostat, that has no effect on the system at this point at all.

Thanks
Bowser

KISS
Jan 11, 2008, 01:30 PM
This is a normal failure mode for older furnaces. The fan relay sticks closed. How difficult and expensive depends on the furnace. It's not the only failure mode with the same symptom, though.

Frdbrkl
Jan 12, 2008, 07:03 AM
You have a safety open-common for older systems to lock out the burner and turn on the blower.

Try this first... change your filter. Then look for a reset (little switch with 2 wires and a button between the wires). Push the resets-all of them-AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE ONE THAT GOES *click*. Start the furnace, and observe the flame. If the flame is nice and quiet without the blower, but flickers, dances, or goes apes**t when the blower comes on, shut it down and start shopping for a new furnace, as the heat exchanger is breached or cracked and there is no cost effective cure.

If that didn't work, check the insertion limit-it's on the inside wall facing you-a little brown square about 2" across with 2 wires. Check for 24 volts between the two with the wires on and the furnace calling for heat. If you get 24 volts, the limit is open and you need replacement as well as finding out why it tripped (usually a packed filter). They are constructed to be "auto resetting" but many times after cycling on the limit they will fail and not reset.

The reason you want to know which one clicked is that this will help in determining where the problem lies. If it's on the manifold for the burners or in the burner compartment, then you have a blocked vent/chimney or a breached heat exchanger. If it's the insertion limit, again a bad heat exchanger or a packed filter (most common).

If that doesn't work...

Contact a professional for this one. It could be something as simple as a clogged filter or as disastrous as a breached heat exchanger.