Why is my furnace running but not igniting?

If your gas furnace initiates the start cycle but does not fire up, it’s likely because of a faulty, damaged, or dirty ignitor/sensor. This is a very common furnace problem—you can try to clean the sensor and replace the ignitor.

How do I know if my furnace ignitor is bad?

Here are a few indications that you have a faulty ignitor.

  1. No Cold Air. …
  2. The Furnace Won’t Come On. …
  3. The Furnace Suddenly Stops Blowing. …
  4. Starts, Then Stops, Then Starts Again. …
  5. Tripping the Breaker More Than Once. …
  6. I Hear the Click, But Nothing Happens. …
  7. Flame Sensor Problems. …
  8. Short Circuit.

Why is my furnace not responding to thermostat?

When a furnace is not responding to a thermostat, there is either a problem with the heating unit or the actual thermostat. Lack of power to the thermostat, wrong settings, and outdated software might be to blame, as well as faulty wiring, a tripped breaker, and a dirty furnace filter.

How do I clean my furnace ignitor sensor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So if you have a situation like this what you have 90% of the time is just a dirty flame sensor. So we'll go through the steps on how to clean it. So the right side of the furnace.

Can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up?

You Have a Faulty Ignition Sensor (Pilot Light)



The pilot light or ignition sensor is usually the most common issue when your furnace will not ignite. This is typically the problem if you can hear your furnace click on but it does not fire up.

How much does it cost to replace a furnace ignitor?

Here’s the bottom line: Whether for a natural gas furnace, oil, or a propane furnace, replacing a furnace ignitor–including parts and labor–will cost you around $300 – $425 for a qualified contractor to install. Compare that to, say, a draft inducer motor, which will cost $400 – $1,500 to replace.

How often do furnace ignitors fail?

Standing pilot lights are a thing of the past. Furnaces these days have spark igniters or hot surface igniters. I don’t know that one is really better than the other. Hot surface igniters are replaced about every five years.

How do I know if my flame sensor is dirty?

6 Signs of a Malfunctioning Gas Furnace Flame Sensor

  1. Yellow Burner Flames. Open up or glance through the peephole of your gas furnace to see the color of the flames firing up in the burner. …
  2. Rusted Flue Lines. …
  3. High Utility Bills. …
  4. Water Leaks. …
  5. Old Age. …
  6. Constant Thermostat Adjustments.


How often should a flame sensor be replaced?

Even if the flame sensor is in proper working order, it is advised that you replace it every two or three years as a preventative measure.

How do I reset my electronic ignition furnace?

How to Reset an Electric Furnace

  1. First, turn off the power supply to the furnace by turning off the breaker in the circuit box.
  2. Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. …
  3. If the button is popped up, press it down.
  4. Return the cover to the blower compartment and turn the power on.


Can I manually ignite my furnace?

Never attempt to light a furnace by a flame manually, especially if the furnace has an electronic igniter. A furnace equipped with an electronic igniter cannot be lit manually. Call for the services of a professional heating and cooling technician when the igniter is not working properly.

How long should it take for a furnace to ignite?

Gas Furnace Wont Ignite – How to Manually Light Burners ·

What do I do if my pilot light won’t light?

If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.

Can I manually ignite my furnace?

Never attempt to light a furnace by a flame manually, especially if the furnace has an electronic igniter. A furnace equipped with an electronic igniter cannot be lit manually. Call for the services of a professional heating and cooling technician when the igniter is not working properly.

Where is the reset button on a furnace?

Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. It is usually located inside the blower compartment on the side of the blower motor. Be cautious as the housing may be hot. If the button is popped up, press it down.

Why isn’t my furnace getting gas?

If your furnace isn’t getting power, go over to your breaker box and check for any blown fuses or tripped breakers. If power at the breaker/fuse box is on, make sure your HVAC system hasn’t been unplugged for any reason. There may also be a separate power switch near the furnace that looks like a light switch.

How long should it take for a furnace to ignite?

A furnace should take around five minutes to start once you’ve turned on your thermostat. That said, you might end up waiting closer to ten minutes to see your furnace kick on if it’s older or has an issue with its pilot light. If this is the case, it may need to be checked out by a professional.

Why does my furnace take so long to ignite?

While moisture and rust are one of the most common causes of delayed ignition in furnaces, dust and lint can also accumulate and cause problems. This can be easily remedied by having your furnace inspected and cleaned by professionals before each heating season.