One of the main warning signs that your furnace ignitor is bad is a crack or visible damage on the igniter itself. Over time, the ignitor can wear down, crack, or break, causing the furnace to malfunction. A quick way to detect a cracked igniter is by inspecting it for any visible damage or discoloration.
Hot surface igniters can be bad and still glow. They need to produce a minimum amp draw to open the gas valve. By taking the igniter with u to a appliance parts house they might have one that is cheaper than one is labeled GE.
If your house is cold, turn up the temperature on your thermostat and stand near the furnace. If you hear clicking but the furnace never kicks on and you don't see the ignitor glowing through the louvers in your furnace, your ignitor is likely the issue.
Reset The Furnace Ignitor
Find the burner door on the furnace and look behind it to find the ignitor. Turn it to “OFF” and wait for five minutes. After you wait, turn it back on and return the door to the burner. It is important to make sure the switch on the door is properly engaged.
Without the ignitor, your heater won't blow hot air. It's a critical part of your furnace system and one of the most common reasons your Furnace doesn't work correctly. You've probably heard the "click" from your Furnace before the air starts blowing.
First, find the reset button on your car's ignition. This is usually located near the steering column. Once you've located the reset button, press and hold it for a few seconds. Next, insert your new key into the ignition and turn it to the “on” position.
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.
A multimeter can be used to help determine if a glow-bar style furnace igniter has sufficient electrical continuity – a continuous electrical path present in the part – for the igniter to function properly.
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.
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. If you suspect that you have a damaged HSI, you will most likely be able to change the part yourself.
Dirt or Dust on the Ignitor
Gunk on the ignitor can block the electrodes that cause the spark, and it can also trap heat to prevent a glow plug from igniting the gas. Dirt is actually one of the most common culprits for furnace problems because it can enter through the air filter and settle on the parts inside.
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.
Often, the furnace does not work because there is no electricity coming from the power source. Reset The Ignitor: If the system is not working, resetting the ignitor could work. To reset, turn off the power that feeds the furnace, then turn off the power circuit.
Checking your thermostat is the best place to start. Make sure it's set to “heat” and that you've set the temperature higher than the current room temperature. If that doesn't resolve the problem, try switching your fan to “on” to force the furnace to start working.
Most likely, your furnace is making a clicking noise and not providing heat because your furnace's spark igniter is trying to ignite your pilot light or burners but is failing to do so. In other words, there's an ignition system malfunction that needs to be fixed. Otherwise, your furnace won't start.
Furnace Not Igniting Because of Incorrect Thermostat Setting
Before we get into more difficult fixes, check your thermostat. Make sure the thermostat is set to heating and that the temperature is set high enough to actually turn the furnace on. It may be set at too low of a temperature to activate the furnace.
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.