PDA

View Full Version : Goodman heater will not ignite with igniter


nschultz
Dec 20, 2010, 12:04 PM
I have a goodman heater and it has been presenting the same problem for two years now.

When turned on, the inductor fan (I believe it is called) will turn on, the ignitor will glow, and then the gas valve will click, and release gas, but it will not actually light. It tries this three times, and then just stops trying. If I use one of the long lighters for a BBQ grill type thing, I can light the heater every time and it runs fine.

This is an intermitten problem that comes and goes, seems to be more common in the afternoon, never really have had a problem with it in the morning, or during the night, uusually I notice this problem mostly when I get home. If I play with turning off the thermostat over and over, or killing the service switch, it will eventually light, or if I use the lighter it lights fine every time.

I had a guy out last year twice, but each time it was working fine at the time. He replaced the pressure switch the first visit, and it worked great for a week. Then showed the same symptom, he replaced with a heavier duty switch and it worked great for a week then a little trouble, and then spring so I thought I will deal with it later. (that was a bit of a mistake).

The furnace worked great for the first month this year, then started to so the same thing. I had the guy out again, and this time it was broke when he got there. He cleaned out all the burners and the whole furnace, and replaced the ignitor (the old one broke on its way out). It once again worked fine for a week or so and is now giving the same problem again.

The red light stays solid all the time, I am pretty sure, I have never seen it blink when playing with it, except for when I turn the power off. The exhaust stack is a bit old, and is showing its age, drops a bit of rust debris here and there.

He recommends a new furnace, but would like to get some other thoughts. He quoted me a Rheem 95+ 2 stage variable speed 70,000 BTU furnance/Aprilaire R2410 Air CLeaner, and themostat for 3812 installed. Thoughts on the price?