Just in time for Snowmageddon...Furnace is out

Tim

Tim

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Had bad airflow through the registers so I went and changed a filter. Seriously. That's all I did. Changed a stinking air filter.

When I took the access panel off to do so, there was tons of pretty little flames happily heating stuff up just like it's supposed to. Took off another access panel to get at the filter, that automatically stopped the blower...and killed the fire. All good. Easy peasy...doors slide right off, filter slides right in.

Now, the blower won't come back around and the flame won't light...

What. The. Heck. Did. I. Do?!
 
Did you cycle power just in case that resets things? I would guess it was an air flow switch but I don't know a ton about residential HVAC.
 
Moth said:
Had bad airflow through the registers so I went and changed a filter. Seriously. That's all I did. Changed a stinking air filter.

When I took the access panel off to do so, there was tons of pretty little flames happily heating stuff up just like it's supposed to. Took off another access panel to get at the filter, that automatically stopped the blower...and killed the fire. All good. Easy peasy...doors slide right off, filter slides right in.

Now, the blower won't come back around and the flame won't light...

What. The. Heck. Did. I. Do?!
Click to expand...


You broke it. Seriously it might be a safety switch when you opened it up. Give it a while and see if it resets. If it went into safety you might have to cut power to it and wait a few minutes and turn it back on.
 
On my last 30 year old furnace in my basement at the last house, I removed an access panel to the squirrel cage where the filters were located. I think there was a switch on the blower box (whatever it’s called) that would open when the access panel was removed. I think.

Maybe take the access panel back off, replace it PROPERLY, try it again. Then if it doesn’t work shut of the breaker (or the switch that should be there at the unit), give it a minute, and try it again.
 
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Carolinatlc said:
Did you cycle power just in case that resets things? I would guess it was an air flow switch but I don't know a ton about residential HVAC.
Click to expand...
I did.

The vacuum tube for the airflow switch did have a break in it thatI duct taped the snot out of.
 
fieldgrade said:
On my last 30 year old furnace in my basement at the last house, I removed an access panel to the squirrel cage where the filters were located. I think there was a switch on the blower box (whatever it’s called) that would open when the access panel was removed. I think.

Maybe take the access panel back off, replace it PROPERLY, try it again. Then if it doesn’t work shut of the breaker (or the switch that should be there at the unit), give it a minute, and try it again.
Click to expand...

The switch is clearly visible. I was able to hold the switch in to get the blower to go, thinking I'd watch to see if the pilot lit and got the burner going again. After I cycled power a couple times, the blower stopped blowing. Holdingt hat switch in gives me a nice annoying hum of the motor trying but failing to do anything.
 
wonder if a motor capacitor conveniently failed?
 
Usually there is a plastic piece that presses a microswitch in to prove the panel doors are all on correctly. If that switch is not pushed in correctly by the panels completely on it will kill the power to ignite the furnace. Reposition the panels so they are pressed closed. you can also tightly tape the stem around its box enclosure if you don’t get them on.

Test- with the panels off press the stem in and hold it for a long time. Cycle the power at the disconnect switch holding it in. Don’t let go. It will probably fire up and that proves its just the door switch not pressed in.
 
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Moth said:
The switch is clearly visible. I was able to hold the switch in to get the blower to go, thinking I'd watch to see if the pilot lit and got the burner going again. After I cycled power a couple times, the blower stopped blowing. Holdingt hat switch in gives me a nice annoying hum of the motor trying but failing to do anything.
Click to expand...

Can you touch the blower wheel? Maybe give it a spin by hand to see if it starts? If so, that's a capacitor. Generally cheap and easy. Just make sure you short the two lugs (after power is disconnected) on the capacitor before you start working on it - unless you enjoy stuttering and pissing yourself. 😂
 
Furnace exhauast motor comes on first for 30 seconds. Then ignition. Then blower after that.
 
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BlackGun said:
Test- with the panels off press the stem in and hold it for a long time.
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DING DING DING! We have a winner.

Patience has never been my strong suit. I held that switch in for a good 90 seconds and everything lit off like it's supposed to.

Thanks!
 
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fieldgrade said:
I tell my wife that you can figure out dang near anything with the help of this community.
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I told mine the same.

She responded, “Stop asking them how to buy guns!” 😳
 
"Just in time for Snowmageddon...Furnace is out"

Twinsies!!

Mine wasn't such an easy fix though......

19 year old heat pump. Compressor died.....

New 4 ton unit to be installed Monday/Tuesday next week for a grand total of $6100.00

Luckily the air handler/furnace is still working and we have heat strips. Unluckily, the air handler/furnace is still working and we have heat strips.
 
RR said:
"Just in time for Snowmageddon...Furnace is out"

Twinsies!!

Mine wasn't such an easy fix though......

19 year old heat pump. Compressor died.....

New 4 ton unit to be installed Monday/Tuesday next week for a grand total of $6100.00

Luckily the air handler/furnace is still working and we have heat strips. Unluckily, the air handler/furnace is still working and we have heat strips.
Click to expand...
Is that ductwork and all for that price?
 
LeeMajors said:
That's crazy too. I recently bought a 4 ton trane line sets and 30lb of freon for 3500. (Contractor price as well)
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I’m sure prices are all over the place, when I ordered mine (beginning of summer) they were saying they didn’t to have a lead time, somehow it showed up quickly.
 
My HVAC contractor worked fast. I signed the contract and wrote a 50% down payment check for the install yesterday after lunch. Two guys are crawling around under my house now starting the install.

I've used these guys for HVAC service for 20+ years and this is why. Top notch service.
 
fieldgrade said:
I tell my wife that you can figure out dang near anything with the help of this community.
Click to expand...


That's because it's the best internet hangout on the planet..........and we're SO MUCH MORE than a firearms forum !
 
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