How To Clean Flame Sensor Without Steel Wool

Download Article

Why Does My Furnace Keep Shutting Off? Is your furnace having trouble staying on once it fires up? Does it quickly close off, later you lot start it? Does it exercise this a few times and and so fully shuts down? Many homeowners have this trouble every yr because of a dirty flame sensor. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Workout is a complex industry, merely this repair is uncomplicated enough that you can perform past yourself. In our example will show a gas-fired furnace, but you can notice flame sensors in boilers and other gas-burning appliances.

Steps

ane
To avoid danger, it is very important to shut off the power to your furnace (or any other appliance), prior to making any repairs. At that place volition usually be a light switch (toggle switch) on or virtually your furnace. If this switch is not present, furnaces accept a dedicated breaker; locate your furnace breaker and close your unit downwards.
- Note: Turning off the thermostat does not close down the power to your unit of measurement. Likewise, there are many different types of furnaces and appliances; if your gas valve is not electrically controlled, you lot volition demand to shut off the gas to the unit also. Should you be confused almost any of the information provided here, because it does not match with what you see on your unit, STOP! Do not guess or assume annihilation when dealing with your heating arrangement. Phone call an HVAC professional in your area, in order to complete the repair on your unit.
ii

Remove the Sensor. In the video, you can see four burner ports. Betwixt the 1st and second burner ports (from left to right), you can see the wire leading to the flame sensor.The sensor is easily accessible and typically mounted by 1 i/four" hex caput spiral. Upon removing this screw, the sensor will slide out and so that yous can easily clean it. Carefully remove the sensor; it may be necessary to detach the wire stock-still to the end of it to become more room to work, but this is non usually necessary.

Advertisement
3

Clean the Sensor. Once you have removed the sensor, gently rub the metal rod (only) with soft steel wool or soft scotch brie type pad NEVER Use SANDPAPER every bit it will damage the flame rod. Remember, you lot are not sanding down an auto body, just only ridding the sensor of whatever build upwards information technology may have. Then, use a clean paper towel to wipe clean any dust left backside .
iv

Supercede the Sensor. In one case y'all've cleaned the sensor, simply reconnect the wire if y'all've taken it off, remount the sensor to the burner assembly using the ane/4" screw, supplant the door(s) on the unit, and turn the power dorsum on.
5

Check Your Results. If the unit takes a few extra seconds to outset up or the fan immediately kicks on and runs for a scrap, this is normal. Shutting down the power to the unit tin can crusade it to reset and run through a short series of checks earlier trying to fire once more. One time this bank check is complete, the unit should brainstorm to operate by control of the thermostat. Make certain the unit re-fires and runs properly until the thermostat is satisfied, at least one time before existence confident your problem is solved.
6

How to Supervene upon a Broken Flame Sensor. If cleaning your flame sensor did not work, it's possible that the sensor is broken and that the furnace is operating every bit information technology should. You may need to replace the sensor, in which case you lot can follow these same instructions with the exception that no sanding is involved; just remove i sensor and replace it with a new sensor. Of form something else could be causing the problem and at this point, yous should contact a service repair technician.

Advertizement

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to go a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Uncomplicated is the keyword in this procedure, but about furnace related service work is not very simple and evidence be performed by an HVAC professional.

Advertizing

Things You'll Need

i/4" Hex Driver or Wrench (This could vary based on your blazon of mounting screw)
Small piece of calorie-free grit sandpaper, steel wool, or emery cloth
Dry out and Clean Newspaper Towel