What causes a weak flame on a furnace?

Your furnace has a limit switch that keeps it from running if the heat exchanger is too hot. Dirty filters, closed or blocked vents and other blockages in airflow are common causes of an overheated furnace. A bad limit switch. The limit switch may be bad and need to be replaced.

How do you clean the ignition sensor on a furnace?





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.

How do you test a flame sensor?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Then set your meter to measure. Microamps. As soon as the flame is established. You should see a microamp reading on your meter. My manual actually says i'm looking for between one and four microamps.

Where is the ignition sensor?

It’s located on the burner assembly and is just a thin metallic rod. It’s usually bent, and it sits just in front of the pilot flame inside the furnace.

What are the symptoms of a dirty flame sensor?

6 Signs of a Malfunctioning Gas Furnace Flame Sensor

  • 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. …
  • Rusted Flue Lines. …
  • High Utility Bills. …
  • Water Leaks. …
  • Old Age. …
  • Constant Thermostat Adjustments.





How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my furnace?

A bad thermocouple itself can prevent a gas furnace or boiler from working – if you can light the flame at the pilot manually but then the flame goes out when you release the manual gas feed valve, the thermocouple is probably bad.

Why is my furnace clicking but not turning on?

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 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.

Can a furnace ignitor be cleaned?



If your furnace has a spark ignitor and it’s working haphazardly, it too could be covered with soot, and a blast of compressed air may be enough to clean it. Compressed air can also clean a blocked pilot tube that is causing the pilot flame to burn weakly or not at all.

How do you fix a low flame on a furnace?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Actually the best is an Emery cloth.

What happens when flame sensor is bad on furnace?

Without a flame sensor, your furnace will keep emitting gas even when there’s nothing to ignite it, resulting in hazardous gas buildup. If your flame sensor is dirty or faulty, it will automatically shut down the heating unit if it doesn’t detect a flame.

Why do I have to keep cleaning my flame sensor?



It is a sensitive sensor so any type of dust or carbon buildup could cause it to malfunction. Most people have their furnaces in a basement or laundry area where there is excess dust in the air. This dust could stick to the sensor making it dirty and causing your furnace to shut down.

How much does it cost to replace a flame sensor on a furnace?

Flame Sensor



It stops your furnace from letting off large amounts of natural gas if it’s not working properly. If the sensor is bad, it won’t be able to sense heat and will turn the furnace off. The average cost to repair or replace a flame sensor is between $75–$200.

How often do you need to clean flame sensor in furnace?

The service life of a furnace is 10 to 20 years on average. This means you’ll have to replace a flame sensor once, twice or three times over the course of the furnace’s life. Having a bad flame sensor is completely normal–you just need to know how to properly identify when it’s gone bad so you can replace it on time.

How much is a flame sensor for a furnace?

Depending on which furnace repair company you call, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to as much as $500 for a new flame sensor, plus the cost of the travel and diagnostic charge.

Can I bypass flame sensor?



Yes. You can bypass the flame sensor. However, if you do so, you can’t manually light your furnace, and you’ve got to have proper bypassing safety measures in place. But it’s advisable not to bypass the flame sensor.

How do I know if my furnace gas valve is bad?

Here are some signs that indicate your furnace has a bad gas valve.

  1. A Gas Leak. This is a major indicator that something could be wrong with the gas valve in your furnace. …
  2. A Total Shutdown of the Furnace. …
  3. A Flooded Furnace. …
  4. Get Expert Services.