I have an unusual situtation. If the cover (this is the cover that has the peephole to view the ignitor) is removed from the ignitor chamber, the burners ignite. If I replace the cover of the ignitor chamber, the burners do not ignite. Can anyone speculate as to why?

You need air for combustion. Seems like you are starving the burners and when the port is open, air rushes in. Can you feel an airflow? Is this a condensing furnace?