Hello,

I have a Carrier furnace model 38CKC that I constently have to replace the ignitor (lh 33zs 004) it seems every year. When I install it I do not touch the element with bare hands as suggested, but it doesn't seem to matter. Is there something else I should be looking at? Even saving money installing it myself is becoming a joke because of the constent replacing at $60.00 a pop.

Are you buying a real OEM Carrier ignitor or a aftermarket one? Are these ignitors in a sealed box when you buy them?

Are you buying a real OEM Carrier ignitor or a aftermarket one? Are these ignitors in a sealed box when you buy them?

It is a factory authorized part from Replacement Components Division in a sealed box. First time it happened, I had someone come out and fix it. After that, I started to do it myself but buy the part from him (at his cost of course). Thanks for replying!

Now the other possibility is that the system is not burning efficiently or your bringing in contaminated air into the combustion area.

If the air is coming from the inside, make sure there isn't solvents around. If combustion air is coming from outside, make sure the intake isn't blocked.

I would suggest that the system be checked with a cumbustion analyzer and also rule out a cracked heat exchanger.

Check the voltage at the igniter and see if your line voltage is high. This isn't likely.

Now the other possibility is that the system is not burning efficiently or your bringing in contaminated air into the combustion area.

If the air is coming from the inside, make sure there isn't solvents around. If combustion air is coming from outside, make sure the intake isn't blocked.

I would suggest that the system be checked with a cumbustion analyzer and and also rule out a cracked heat exchanger.

Check the voltage at the igniter and see if your line voltage is high. This isn't likely.

The air is coming from the inside I believe in the basement where the furnace is. Down there is unfinished with just a cat box. I did however, install a whole house humidifier about 3 years ago and seems that I have replaced the ignitor every year since (been in the house for 6yrs.). Would the humidifier have anything to do with it? Ex. Humidity setting too high? I should mention too that the furnace is approx. 9 yrs old and is the original when the house was built. Thanks.

Possibly. What type and how is it wired.

Does it just come on with heat or heat and AC?

The reason I asked about the brand of igniter is this.

Carrier and other manufactures have service information that mentions the following,

Make sure the igniter is the exact correct part number for the furnace you are going to service. It seems there are different voltage igniters and different resistance levels available for different furnaces.

Most of the time an off the shelf igniter will work just fine in most applications but there are times when the control board might be to sensitive and only the correct factory part number will work. They also said to check to be sure that the igniter being used is the same part number or newer part number for the replacement.

The last part of the bulletin stated that for repeat igniter failures to also replace the circuit board at the same time as the next igniter replacement. They found that over time some of the electrical components values would change or vary enough to cause igniter problems. Sorry but I do not have the exact bulletin number on this computer but I believe it is on my mainframe over at the university. If I can locate it this week I will post it back to this thread.

Possibly. What type and how is it wired.

Does it just come on with heat or heat and AC?

It is a Hamilton 12 HF Humidifier electronically controlled flow-thru and has a humidistat that I set about 40-45% humidity.

The house has central air.