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Posted by on March 24, 2008, 5:08 pm
> csstouf...@gmail.com wrote:
> > On Mar 22, 12:33 pm, ltravi...@gmail.com wrote:
> >> Hi all,
>
> >> Got a furnace problem that has me running in circles. Perhaps some
> >> quick advice can point me in the right direction at least. We have a
> >> Carrier furnace, older that 5 years old, and this year is has been
> >> failing to ignite, flashing error code 14 (ignition lockout) causing
> >> it to wait 3 hours before the next attempt. FYI here is the code
> >> legend:
>
> >> #14 default= ignition lockout, control will reset after 3 hours.
> >> Refer to #34.
>
> >> #34 default= ignition proving fault. Check for gas valve turned off,
> >> oxide build up on flame sensor, main shut valve turned off, Green
> >> wire must be connected to furnace sheet metal, proper flame sense
> >> microamps (.5 micro amps DC minimum), inadequit flame carry over or
> >> rough ignition, low inlet gas pressure.
>
> >> Now, a little history:
> >> 1) Four years ago we had a crawlspace dug out and the project and the
> >> project went poorly, causing the basement to be exposed to excessive
> >> dust and moisture for much of that winter.
> >> 2) This winter we began having trouble with the thermostat. The
> >> backlight would not light, it would display gibberish, and sometimes
> >> not display anything. Shortly thereafter we noticed that this
> >> behavior happened at the same time the furnace had the ignition
> >> lockout.
> >> 3) We called an independent contractor and described the problems.
> >> The tech wasn't aware or (or wasn't concerned with) the codes and was
> >> only concerned with the thermostat. He indeed found and straightened
> >> some bent pins and we could notice a tighter fit when we closed the
> >> cover of the stat. He figured that solved the problem, and he never
> >> even looked at the furnace itself.
> >> 4) A month later the lockout recurred, and the contractor sent
> >> another guy on the callback. The furnace had restarted by then so
> >> he didn't see the codes, and I don't think we mentioned them when we
> >> made the emergency call. Anyway, he was certain it was an
> >> overheating issue and when he went in he found the coil was *very*
> >> dirty (from the crawlspace project) and had to scrape it with
> >> cleaning solution. 5) Now, another month later, the problem has
> >> returned.
>
> >> I don't know which direction to take this. I don't want to keep
> >> bring techs out who don't fix the root cause (whatever it is).
> >> Before I invest in another call, perhaps someone could tell me:
> >> - Could this problem really be caused by a defective stat or dirty
> >> coil? The stat HAS been loose and the coil HAS been dirty, but the
> >> error codes don't mention these, and don't seem to allude to them.
> >> For that matter, if the ignition is locked out, will it cause the
> >> stat to act funky when I use it? I don't want to pay for another
> >> scraping, or a new coil, if I don't have to.
> >> - If I call the techs back, after I make sure they are aware of the
> >> codes, what directions should I give them?
> >> - Is there anything I can check on my own fairly easily before
> >> resorting to another callback?
>
> >> Thanks for any advice,
> >> -Larry
>
> > These could have contributed to the problem or been the only problems
> > at the time. Certainly they needed to be addressed. As far as your
> > lock out goes it could be any number of problems related to gas
> > pressure, dirty sensor(flame), ignition control failure these will
> > only be able to be found by a properly trained tech. Unless you have
> > some knowledge of HVAC controls you don't want to mess with gas. The
> > next tech that comes out should be made aware of all your failures and
> > the order in which and circumstance's of each event. When you call for
> > the next appointment tell the service company you need an experienced
> > tech because of "intermittent problems" this catch phase will usually
> > get their intention and they would be more likely to send their top
> > tech.
>
> > As an experienced HVAC professional of 25 years there are some thing a
> > home owner should not do and mess with a gas appliance is one of
> > them.
>
> You're right CSSTouffer.....
>
> The little girl who answers the phone will make every effort to relay the
> O.P. long story.... and she'll make sure the service dispatch routes the
> most experience repair guy out that way. LOL
>
> Unless the O.P. is dealing with a smaller M/P company which then all that
> *would* happen. - Maybe - :)
>
> --
> Zyp
Your right Zyp I wouldn't relay the info to the dispatcher except as
an intermittent problem the history needs to be conveyed to the tech.
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