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Burners won't light in older furnace

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Burners won't light in older furnace tysonjm 01-14-2007
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Posted by on January 14, 2007, 2:47 pm
I've got a Magic Chef furance/blower from the early '80s. When the
thermostat calls for heat, an ignitor starts clicking and a steady
pilot light comes on. The clicking will continue for about 10-15
seconds, then stop. After another 5 seconds, a different click is heard
(gas shutting off?) and nothing happens but the pilot light stays lit.
I did see one time, during the initial clicking, the two burners fire
up fully only to poof off after about 5 seconds. The furnace had been
working fine when we used it once or twice a week over the last month.

After some research, it appears the pilot light is lighting just fine,
but perhaps the flame sensor is dirty or bad? I'm not able to tell
where the the flame sensor is in this model to check though. Any other
ideas on why the burners won't light? I know this is one is old and
probably either needs cleaning and/or replaced. Here are a couple
close-up pictures if it can help to identify the flame sensor or other
problems.

http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace1.jpg
http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace2.jpg


Posted by Noon-Air on January 14, 2007, 3:55 pm

> I've got a Magic Chef furance/blower from the early '80s. When the
> thermostat calls for heat, an ignitor starts clicking and a steady
> pilot light comes on. The clicking will continue for about 10-15
> seconds, then stop. After another 5 seconds, a different click is heard
> (gas shutting off?) and nothing happens but the pilot light stays lit.
> I did see one time, during the initial clicking, the two burners fire
> up fully only to poof off after about 5 seconds. The furnace had been
> working fine when we used it once or twice a week over the last month.
>
> After some research, it appears the pilot light is lighting just fine,
> but perhaps the flame sensor is dirty or bad? I'm not able to tell
> where the the flame sensor is in this model to check though. Any other
> ideas on why the burners won't light? I know this is one is old and
> probably either needs cleaning and/or replaced. Here are a couple
> close-up pictures if it can help to identify the flame sensor or other
> problems.
>
> http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace1.jpg
> http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace2.jpg
>
what did your local tech tell you??



Posted by on January 14, 2007, 4:36 pm
On 14 Jan 2007 11:47:34 -0800, tysonjm@yahoo.com wrote:

>I've got a Magic Chef furance/blower from the early '80s. When the
>thermostat calls for heat, an ignitor starts clicking and a steady
>pilot light comes on. The clicking will continue for about 10-15
>seconds, then stop. After another 5 seconds, a different click is heard
>(gas shutting off?) and nothing happens but the pilot light stays lit.
>I did see one time, during the initial clicking, the two burners fire
>up fully only to poof off after about 5 seconds. The furnace had been
>working fine when we used it once or twice a week over the last month.
>
>After some research, it appears the pilot light is lighting just fine,
>but perhaps the flame sensor is dirty or bad? I'm not able to tell
>where the the flame sensor is in this model to check though. Any other
>ideas on why the burners won't light? I know this is one is old and
>probably either needs cleaning and/or replaced. Here are a couple
>close-up pictures if it can help to identify the flame sensor or other
>problems.
>
>http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace1.jpg
>http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace2.jpg


I can probably help you out but first post two more pictures: one of
the pilot burning, the other of the opposite side of picture #2 ie a
picture of the flame sensor & the pilot together....

Posted by on January 14, 2007, 5:58 pm
Thanks, here are the pics based on what you described. See if they're
sufficient...I'm just not sure what/where the flame sensor is supposed
to be.

I'll stand by, and let me know if you need more info - thx!

http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace3.jpg
http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace4.jpg


gofish@gonefishin.net wrote:
> On 14 Jan 2007 11:47:34 -0800, tysonjm@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> >I've got a Magic Chef furance/blower from the early '80s. When the
> >thermostat calls for heat, an ignitor starts clicking and a steady
> >pilot light comes on. The clicking will continue for about 10-15
> >seconds, then stop. After another 5 seconds, a different click is heard
> >(gas shutting off?) and nothing happens but the pilot light stays lit.
> >I did see one time, during the initial clicking, the two burners fire
> >up fully only to poof off after about 5 seconds. The furnace had been
> >working fine when we used it once or twice a week over the last month.
> >
> >After some research, it appears the pilot light is lighting just fine,
> >but perhaps the flame sensor is dirty or bad? I'm not able to tell
> >where the the flame sensor is in this model to check though. Any other
> >ideas on why the burners won't light? I know this is one is old and
> >probably either needs cleaning and/or replaced. Here are a couple
> >close-up pictures if it can help to identify the flame sensor or other
> >problems.
> >
> >http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace1.jpg
> >http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace2.jpg
>
>
> I can probably help you out but first post two more pictures: one of
> the pilot burning, the other of the opposite side of picture #2 ie a
> picture of the flame sensor & the pilot together....


Posted by on January 14, 2007, 7:38 pm
tysonjm@yahoo.com wrote:

>Thanks, here are the pics based on what you described. See if they're
>sufficient...I'm just not sure what/where the flame sensor is supposed
>to be.
>
>I'll stand by, and let me know if you need more info - thx!
>
>http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace3.jpg
>http://www.icedpita.com/images/furnace4.jpg
>


partner, you need serious help. Magic Chef should have stuck with
what they do best, which is NOT building furnaces....

An early 80's model you say?

so if you have a pilot......AND you know how to apply 24v to the gas
valve....you may get lucky & have heat temporarily. I'm betting the
gas valve is toasted and no matter WHAT you do, you aint gonna have
heat. now a sharp cookie could put you in a retrofit kit for $750,
but hell, thats a down pymt on a brand new furnace....

I'm guessing you're in So Cal. what do you think of that bitter
freeze we're getting?

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