My gas furnace seems to be working well. It heats when it should and shuts off when it should. The trouble is that the igniter clicks all the time. This happens whether or not the gas is on. Any suggestions as to what is happening would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Mark
Why not just call a pro, you obviously have not had it serviced and have no idea of other issues.
It was serviced under a year ago, which negates your assumption, but thanks for your generalized suggestion.
Whatever switches the ignitor on and off is stuck on.
Normally when the pilot is lit the flame will cancel out the igniter.
Do you have any info on the furnace, or make of controls like model number?
This is something that you may want a HVAC tech look at because it may cause you problems down the road.
It depends upon the model of the furnace. Some older furnaces use a stand alone ignition module that uses the ignitor probe to sense the pilot flame. If the sensor is oxidized, or the module is defective or not grounded well, then the ignitor will never stop sparking, whether or not a pilot flame is present. The gas valve on this system senses the pilot independently via a thermocouple mounted in the pilot burner assembly. Because the valve has a different pilot flame sensor it will go ahead and operate normally even when the ignitor fails to sense the pilot flame.
If this is the type of system that you have, then there is no danger in running it, but IF IT ISN"T, then you have a potentially serious issue with a control board or control circuit. The furnace could literally level the structure to the ground if the main valve is opening without a pilot established first. Best to have it checked by a qualified technician.
try cleaning the thermocouple, or replacing it. The control board cannot sense is not getting enough voltage and therefore, always trying to light the pilot.
Are you sure it is the ignitor clicking, and not the main gas valve trying to turn on? That sounds like a click also. My funace, the ignitor is more of a 'tick' in rapid succession, to light the pilot. When it calls for main gas valve, I can hear a 'click' for the main gas valve.
samurai.
Do you have an electronic air cleaner? They click whenever they "zap" dust.
replying to mslepski, Jt wrote: Yeah my boiler keeps arcing to on the pilot but won't flame up the boulevard. Keep sparking to as the igniter with the pilot on but won't flame
11 year old post. mslepski survived and bought a new furnace years ago.
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