The most obvious sign that your furnace ignitor is bad is that it won't ignite, and this generally manifests itself in your furnace failing to run when you activate it.
A bad ignitor may produce a standing flame, causing overheating. A faulty furnace ignitor may also fail to light the fuel flow, causing a gas leak.
You can reset the ignition on your furnace simply. To do this you must cut the power to the furnace first by turning off the circuit that powers it. Once the power is off you can remove the burner door to reveal the ignitor. Turn this to “off” and leave it off for at least 5 minutes.
1. The Furnace Won't Run. When a furnace doesn't run at all, that could be a sign you have a bad ignitor that needs replacing.
Typically, you'll find it inside the air handler, either next to or above your furnace. In most newer systems, the button is often directly next to the blower motor, while in older systems, it may be harder to spot as it is sometimes underneath or behind the motor.
The igniter glows red and then lights the burners in the gas furnace. Over time, the igniter is continually getting red hot and then cooling, creating stress on the element. Because of this, igniters have a 3-5 year life expectancy. They will eventually crack and need to be replaced.
Common Ignition System Problems
One of the most common is a dead battery. If your battery dies, your vehicle won't have enough power to start. Other common problems include a faulty starter, a bad ignition switch, a faulty distributor, and worn spark plugs.
A furnace ignitor replacement costs $100 to $250 on average. Most universal hot-surface ignitor prices are $15 to $35 for the part alone. Gas furnace ignitor prices are $20 to $100 for parts from the original manufacturer (OEM). The labor cost to replace a heater ignitor is $80 to $200.
Defective Igniter or Pilot Light
If it clicks but your furnace won't ignite after the combustion cycle, the electronic ignition systems probably need to be replaced. In cases where the furnace ignition starts normally but only stays on for a few minutes and then goes out, a new pilot light likely needs to be installed.
Without a functioning distributor control module, issues such as misfires, rough idle, and reduced power can and will arise, hampering engine performance by significantly cutting power and using that power less efficiently.
Today's furnaces rely on electronic ignitors. These systems can be divided into two groups: pilot systems that are intermittent or ignition systems that rely on a hot surface. A spark in the intermittent pilot system turns on the pilot light, as opposed to the old pilot light that burned continually.
In short, yes, you can DIY a hot-surface ignitor replacement. It shouldn't be too difficult if you have experience fixing things around the house. However, if you typically feel clueless about troubleshooting household appliances, this may not be the right job for you.
Remove the ignitor carefully by holding only the base. Avoid touching the ignitor surface with bare hands. Use compressed air to remove carbon deposits. Gently wipe the surface with a soft cloth or scuff pad until shiny.
When looking for troubles, it's usually best to start at the spark plug-end of the ignition path and work backward. The first thing to do is to pull a spark plug wire while an assistant cranks the engine and check for spark.
One of the most obvious signs of a faulty ignitor is a furnace that's not heating or suddenly stops blowing warm air. If your thermostat setting is correct but your home remains cold, the ignitor might be to blame.
Take an old part, as well as its mounting holes and electrical connector, with you. This part should cost between $25 and $50, which is still much less than a maintenance contract. We can agree that a furnace ignitor replacement is a tricky task and can take up an entire day if you are a novice.
Mind the safety lock. When resetting your furnace, make sure to press the button only once to avoid engaging the safety lock. Reach out to professionals. In most cases, the safest course of action is to contact your go-to HVAC company if your furnace doesn't work after a power outage.
Ask twenty professional HVAC contractors the question, “How Much Does A New Furnace Cost?” and you'll probably get the same answer... “It depends.” On average, the cost of a new furnace can range from $2,000 - $14,2001. However, factors like furnace efficiency, type, size, and much more can impact this range.