Furnace Cycling
Hello, I have a Carrier Crusader furnace. The model number is 588SSCO55-GC it is series 100. The serial number is 1790A06607. The furnace does NOT have a pilot light. It has an ignition device, but I am not sure which type. A couple of days ago I awoke to a very cold house. When I went to check the furnace, I saw that it was coming on for a few seconds, then it would go right back off. With a light kick, it began working normally(it came on and stayed on), but the next morning it was cold again. This has been the story for the last couple of days. I did notice that there is a service log on the furnace. It says that in 1998 the flame sensor was cleaned. Thank you for your help Kat Try cleaning the flame sensor with a very light sand paper. Check out the furnace a little more and see if it is spark or hot surface ignition. Or go to carrier.com and get the product information on your system. Hello klobdob and Welcome to the Heating and Cooling Appliance forum and our Do-It-Yourself Web Site. One of the most likely causes is a restricted intake air supply or warm air flow thru the ducting and or to and though the registers in the rooms. Check the filter. Replace or clean as needed. Open all warm air registers fully. May or could be a piece of furniture is too close to the intake air supply and restricting the intake. Could be a defective blower motor that spins too slowly or any of many other air flow problems. The above conditions will still allow the fan to run but the restricted air flow causes the furnace to overheat which then activates the high limit safety switch which in turns cycles the burners off until the firebox cools down some. If the burner flames turn on and then turn off, another possible cause for the problem description is a dirty and or defective flame sensor. The flame sensor is the metal rod element that is heated by either the pilots flame or directly by the burner flames. Another possibility could be a defective solenoid within the gas valve itself and or one of several other componet failures. Flame Sensor: This part is located on the burner or near the pilot assembly. If it's defective, it will cause the problem your describing. The flames sensor element, is the part which a flame heats once a flame is established. Cleaning the flame sensor element may solve the problem. Also check for a good electrical connection of the part. Not all furnaces have a seperate flame sensor element. If your heating unit is equipped with one, insure the flame sensors element is securely and correctly positioned in the pilot assembly. Be sure the sensor is being heated by the flames and is properly connected to the computers module or spark module. Be sure that all parts are grounded well and correctly. The pilot flame sensor is not the same as a thermocouple. It's a true flame sensor that sends a signal the main electronic module that a pilot or burner flame is established. On some models of furnaces, the pilots flame will be heating this element directly. Cleaning this sensor with fine steel wool or lite weight sanding paper often corrects the problem. Below is a list of more possible problems and solutions for heating appliances using a glow coil {Glow Bar} or sparking ignition system. Furnace overheating, do to a restricted intake air supply. Clean and or replace the filter or filters as needed. The air conditioning coils, if clogged with dust, dirt, etc. may be restricting air flow out of the heater also. In this instance, contact your local heating contractor for an A/C coil cleaning. Defective Glow Coil: The glow coil may glow but just be too weak to allow current to continue to flow to the coils. The solenoid coils are also part of the electrical loop and may effect proper glow coil operation or functioning. Replacing the glow coil {Glow Bar} may solve the problem. The main computer circuit board also controls and regulates functions of the heater. It too may have a defective componet. Defective Solenoids: The solenoids are on top or inside the body of the gas valve body. Solenoids also supply voltage to a glow coil {if applicable}gas to the pilot flame {if applicable} main burner gas and or other parts and componets of the entire electrical loop. Defective Gas Valve: Remove entire unit as an assembly. Take the entire assembly to your local appliance parts store for testing. Gas valves are not repairable. Replacement is the only option if defective. CAUTION: Do Not attempt to repair the gas valve! This is a NON repairable item! Any one of several safety devices could be the cause of the problem too. The power venting fan and or one of it's componets or safety devices could be effecting the furnace condition you described. A flame rollout safety switch may be sensing a problem or unsafe condition causing the furnace to shut down. This condition needs the immediate attention of a trained professional. The ideal method for determining if either the solenoids, gas valve parts or other componets are defective, is to remove and take the entire gas valve assembly and or componets to the local retail appliance parts store or heating appliance dealers retail store and have the entire assembly and or parts tested. CONCERNS: Electronically operated and controlled appliances often require several tests on several componets to determine the exact cause of a problem. The proceedures and methods vary and at times can become rather complexing. FYI: The do-it-yourself person can do electrical tests and continuity tests on several of the parts. However, bare in mind that neither of these tests will provide positive proof the part is actually functioning correctly and as intended. Therefore, do not rely solely upon either test. TIP: The only positive proof any part is functioning correctly, is to carefully remove the part or parts you suspect to be the potential culprit, and have the local appliance parts store person test it or check it. Appliance parts dealers carry replacement parts for all appliances and are listed in the phone book under appliances. Suggestions: Read the manufacturers online web site for product information, problem solving methods, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair proceedures and instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online. CAUTION: Be absolutely positive the electrical power is turned OFF before attemping ANY repairs! Read the RECENT ARCHIVE postings, within this forum, for other postings on this topic and the replies offered. Regards Good Luck Tom_Bart....TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises Fast.....Fair.....Friendly Highly Efficient Services..... Forum Moderator Energy Conservation Consultant Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics Technician. Thanks for clarifying the problem on my Carrier system. I sprang for a new flame sensor and it fixed the problem. You not only saved me unecessary expense, but also allowed me the satisfaction of solving the defect myself.
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