How do I know if my flame sensor is bad?
How do I know if my furnace flame sensor is bad?
- Switch off the power to your furnace.
- Close the gas valve.
- Take out the mounting screw.
- Carefully pull out the sensor.
- Inspect the sensor: if the insulation is intact but appears sooty, burnt or slightly corroded, it might only require cleaning.
Can you touch a flame sensor?
The flame sensor’s purpose is to confirm to the system that whenever the gas valve is open, a fire is actually present.Once you unscrew the flame sensor bolt, make sure not to touch the actual sensor with your fingers. This will leave oil on it and keep it from functioning properly.
What symptoms would a furnace with a dirty flame sensor exhibit?
Signs of a bad furnace flame sensor are:
- The furnace lights but then shuts down after a few seconds (short cycles)
- The porcelain on the flame sensor is cracked.
- The flame sensor is sooty or corroded.
How much does it cost to clean a flame sensor on a furnace?
If they are part of a routine maintenance service, they will cost about $200. Similarly, flame sensors often become too dirty and malfunction, but these sensors can be fixed with a thorough cleaning. However, if it’s too far gone and you must replace the flame sensor, it will cost you anywhere from $80 $250.
What makes flame sensors dirty?
The most common is that it is dirty. Because burning fuel of any kind produces trace amounts of moisture, over prolonged exposure to these conditions, metal will rust. Since your sensor is made of metal, rust can build up, preventing proper sensing of the flame.
How often do furnace flame sensors go bad?
Flame sensor lifespan
If you’ve just replaced the sensor or had a new furnace installed, you can expect the flame sensor to last for about five years. The average lifespan of a furnace is 15 to 30 years, so you can anticipate a flame sensor replacement once or twice over the course of your homeownership.
Why does my flame sensor keep getting dirty?
What Causes a Flame Sensor to Get Dirty? It’s possible for a flame sensor to go bad; but more often than not, it is not broken, just dirty from carbon buildup. Because a flame sensor has a very low tolerance for variations in the reading it takes, the slightest coating of carbon can cause it to misread and shut down.
Where is the flame sensor located on your furnace?
burner assembly
WHAT IS A FURNACE FLAME SENSOR? A furnace flame sensor is a very basic part of your furnace. 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.
Does my old furnace have a flame sensor?
Not all furnaces have a flame sensor, but if your furnace has one, it will be mounted close to the burner with the metal rod positioned in the flame. Flame sensors vary in size (2 to 4 inches) and shape (see examples below).
Why does the burner on my furnace keep going out?
If your furnace keeps shutting off, it could be due to low airflow. There are several indirect issues that cause low airflow. Dirty Air Filters. If you don’t change your air filters often enough, the filters will become dirty and clogged, which means the heat exchanger retains heat and eventually causes it to overheat.
How much should it cost to replace a flame sensor?
You can expect to pay between $350 and $500 for a new flame sensor if you call a furnace repair company.
How much is a new furnace for a 2000 square foot home?
For a 2,000-square-foot home, it’ll cost around $3,300 for a new furnace based on total square footage and BTU rating.
What does the flame sensor look like?
The flame sensor on your furnace is an important but simple part. It will look like a thin metallic rod and is set in front of the pilot flame on the interior of your furnace. Both of these parts can be located inside of the burner assembly of your furnace which is typically in the bottom of your furnace.
How do you clean a thermostat sensor?
Thermostats can be cleaned by first removing the cover. Second, take a very soft brush (paintbrush) or compressed air to gently clean between the contact points and/or lever switches.
What are flame sensors made of?
A flame sensor is nothing more than a stainless steel rod partially encased in porcelain. By itself, it does nothing. There are no moving parts, no switches. When attached to a control module, the module sends out an A/C voltage to the sensor.
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