Furnace Issues - Need Advice Please

[pheoxs]

No idea on the issue but there’s a lot of smaller furnance companies around, try hitting up google maps and start calling them and see if there’s one that will answer and come today. Don’t wait for atco or the other company to get back to you as everyone’s going to be swamped in this cold.

edit: nvm saw they got back to you so that’s good

[ExtraSlow]

If they arent there by about 1pm, please start planning for several days waiting. Hit Walmart for electric heaters.

[MOB68]

They cleaned the flame sensor at the end of October as part of the annual service so surprised if it might be that.
I just checked the intake/exhaust pipes and was able to run some plastic tubing in a couple feet on both before it caught on something. The intake (ABS) has a 90 fitting and exhaust (PVC) has a 'T' glued in place.
**I was able to confirm both are not straight runs of pipe, but have some 45's on their way to the mechanical room, so that's likely why the tubing 'snagged'. **

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If they arent there by about 1pm, please start planning for several days waiting. Hit Walmart for electric heaters.

Done. Raided the home depot this morning. Have 6 of em and the main floor temp has come up from 13.5C to 16C now.

[Darkane]

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They cleaned the flame sensor at the end of October as part of the annual service so surprised if it might be that.
I just checked the intake/exhaust pipes and was able to run some plastic tubing in a couple feet on both before it caught on something. The intake (ABS) has a 90 fitting and exhaust (PVC) has a 'T' glued in place.

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Done. Raided the home depot this morning. Have 6 of em and the main floor temp has come up from 13.5C to 16C now.

at least you're back to 16. You probably checked, but the outlets outside could be iced over. The little fan you heard before the main furnace fan is the induced draft fan for the combustion. That outlet outside could be blocked.

[MOB68]

Yup, I just added some info to my post that I was able to run some plastic tubing on both pipes at least a couple feet into the wall. Couldn't go any further likely because of some change in directions causing it to get caught up.
Might need to get a proper snake to check further.

[Darell_n]

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I had a similar issue/symptons with my Goodman and it was an intermittent flame sensor. Usually the flame sensor is pretty easy to find locally, cheap and easy to change on most, you could try that if you’re sitting around today.

He has a Trane. Their business model is over engineered and often bizarre components that are proprietary only.

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Remove the front panel, read your manual and see what code is coming up.

https://www.trane.com/content/dam/Tr...0092019%20.pdf

[ExtraSlow]

Also, it reduces my anxiety that you have the electric heaters in hand. Had issues with my inlaws one year and they really resisted any kind of backup plan, which upset me.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Yeah, don't be scared to remove that front panel to get a better look.

[MOB68]

I thought I needed a special 'key' to remove the cover but my 6mm hex key from my bike tool worked fine!

I confirmed that when the furnace switches 'on', there's an orange glow from the igniter in the burner chamber and then the burners briefly come on, but there's an audible click as a relay / switch is shutting it down. I can still use the circulation fan however.
There's no other blinking LED's or indicators other than the small display showing 'HT2'. According to the manual this code means "Demand for 2nd gas heat". It doesn't seem to be listed as an error code, but just a status.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Agree this sounds like flame sensor. I have not done it, but apparently it's very very easy to clean them with some emery cloth, super light sand paper or steel wool. Someone will likely provide a link.

[MOB68]

I'll try and wait for the tech to arrive since its under warranty and I paid them something like $150 to clean the damn sensor a couple months back, lol.
pics

[firebane]

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Agree this sounds like flame sensor. I have not done it, but apparently it's very very easy to clean them with some emery cloth, super light sand paper or steel wool. Someone will likely provide a link.

Yup exactly what my furnace would do. You need to shine up that sensor really good and its super easy to find and remove.

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This is your flame sensor

[MOB68]

This is your flame sensor

***
Thanks. I'll see if I can take a look at the condition of it now. I have some 1200 grit emery paper. No steel wool, but I could get some...

[firebane]

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***
Thanks. I'll see if I can take a look at the condition of it now. I have some 1200 grit emery paper. No steel wool, but I could get some...

1200 will be fine to use as its not really coarse enough.

[MOB68]

Update:
The tech showed up around noon and almost immediately figured it was the flame sensor.
It was a PITA for him to remove (a couple awkward placed screws), requiring a small ratcheting wrench/driver but he got it out and cleaned it with steel wool as it was pretty oxidized. Furnace fired back up and has been running fine since.

I'm annoyed AF that they told me it was cleaned in October when the same company did their annual service. Apparently the tech who did it "no longer works here..."
Next time, I'll ask for them to show me directly.

Before:

After(cleaned):



Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and hopefully this might help someone else.

[Darkane]

Glad that's sorted out.

Good pictures showing the cleaning.

[ExtraSlow]

Glad you are back up and running brother.

[mr2mike]

If you have Trump hands, you can squeeze in there without uninstalling and rub emery cloth on it and get it up and going again too.

[phreezee]

Something like this might help with the hard to reach screw/bolt, if you want to DIY next time.

https://www.amazon.ca/DEWALT-DWARA12.../dp/B07NQS465R

[BokCh0y]

@MOB68 thanks for the update and glad that was your issue.

Curiously, did PtP charge you for the service call seeing that they obviously didn't clean your sensor in October?