How to tell if flame sensor is bad?
There are several main signs that can point to a bad flame sensor:
- Cracked porcelain on the flame sensor.
- Corrosion and/or soot on the flame sensor.
- The furnace shuts down several seconds after lighting up.
How to replace a furnace thermocouple or flame sensor?
Replacing an Electrical Flame Sensor
- Turn off the electrical power and gas supply to the furnace. ...
- Confirm that the old flame sensor is actually removable. ...
- Disconnect the electrical wires leading to the sensor and those leading to the control box as well.
- Proceed to remove the sensor by loosening the screws with a wrench or a basic screwdriver.
How to replace flame sensor?
If the furnace has been running, wait at least 30 minutes before attempting these steps:
- Locate the flame sensor (refer to the furnace flame sensor location portion above)
- Remove the furnace access cover, which may involve releasing screws or bolts
- Unfasten/unscrew the flame sensor from the burner assembly
- Disconnect the wiring that leads to the sensor and control box
- Loosen the screws and remove the flame sensor
Is a flame sensor and a thermocouple the same thing?
People tend to use the terms “flame sensor” and “thermocouple” interchangeably. In truth, while they basically perform the same job, they're not the same thing. If your furnace uses an electronic controller, it's got a flame sensor. Thermocouples are used on standing pilot furnaces that have pilot lights.
How long do flame sensors last?
about five yearsIf 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.
How much is the flame sensor?
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.
How do I know if I need a new flame sensor?
6 Signs of a Malfunctioning Gas Furnace Flame SensorYellow 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 hard is it to replace a flame sensor?
1:163:27Remove the screw holding it in place. And then slide the old flame sensor. Out. Put the new flameMoreRemove the screw holding it in place. And then slide the old flame sensor. Out. Put the new flame sensor back in the way the old one came out make sure to place the rod in the path of the flame.
Can you clean a flame sensor?
1:202:39Now there's the flame sensor. And all we have to do to clean this is just to take a little piece ofMoreNow there's the flame sensor. And all we have to do to clean this is just to take a little piece of Emery paper. And sand it slightly. So if you don't have any of the sand. Cloth.
How do you reset the flame sensor on a furnace?
0:522:37And we're just going to sand this a little bit and we'll see if that solves our problem all right IMoreAnd we're just going to sand this a little bit and we'll see if that solves our problem all right I used our Emery cloth and I remove the buildup from the flame on the thermocouple.
What causes furnace flame sensor to go bad?
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.
What happens when a flame sensor goes bad?
If your flame sensor is dirty or faulty, it will automatically shut down the heating unit if it doesn't detect a flame. Most furnaces will go into a safety ignition lockout when a shutdown happens three times.
Why does my flame sensor keep going bad?
What are causes of a dirty flame sensor? As with any piece of equipment a simple reason could be that dirty flame sensor just goes bad. However a more common reason is that it is just dirty. It is a sensitive sensor so any type of dust or carbon buildup could cause it to malfunction.
Where is a flame sensor located?
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.
How do you fix a flame sensor?
1:513:46You can actually scratch it and shorten its life. But just by doing something as simple as that'sMoreYou can actually scratch it and shorten its life. But just by doing something as simple as that's just cleaning this off. We should be able to solve our problem.
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.
What happens if the flame sensor isn't working?
If the flame sensor isn’t able to confirm that a flame is actually burning inside the furnace, it will shut the startup sequence down, and the furnace will then attempt to startup again.
What is the purpose of a flame sensor?
The job of the flame sensor is to quickly confirm that there is actually a flame present when the gas valve is open so natural gas isn’t being dumped inside your home instead of being burned inside the furnace.
What Is A Flame Sensor?
A flame sensor is a device that detects the presence of fire. Every furnace includes a flame sensor. It is a tiny metallic rod that is positioned directly in front of the flame to verify if one exists in a furnace.
What Causes A Clogged Flame Sensor?
An unclean flame sensor is a disaster waiting to happen. A prevalent reason for a clogged flame sensor, though, is that it is simply filthy. Because it is a sensitive sensor, any dirt or carbon accumulation could lead it to fail. The majority of people keep their furnaces in the basement or laundry room, which can generate a lot of dust.
What Can Be An Estimated Cost?
The most prevalent cause of a furnace breakdown is ignitor failure. Dirt can build up inside ignitors if they aren’t maintained properly, eventually shorting out the circuit system and ruining the entire HVAC machine.
What is a flame sensor?
The flame sensor is a safety component of a furnace located on the interior of the burner assembly. It monitors and verifies whether a flame is burning inside the unit.
Flame sensor vs. thermocouple
A flame sensor and thermocouple are often referred to as the same or interchangeable parts, but that’s not the case. While they both serve as a safety feature on the furnace, you would need to know which you have in order to replace or repair the component.
Furnace flame sensor location
When trying to determine how to find a flame sensor, you’ll want to remove the furnace access cover to begin. Depending on the model of your furnace, you may have to remove screws or bolts to release the access cover.
Signs of a bad flame sensor
As with any other component in your heating and cooling system, the flame sensor can go bad. If your furnace stops working properly, look for warning signs that your flame sensor has failed:
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.
Furnace flame sensor cleaning
Before you begin the flame sensor cleaning process, turn the gas and electricity off to the unit. The valve handle on the gas pipe will allow you to stop the gas flow and turning off the furnace breaker at your electrical box will ensure all power is shut down.
Replace furnace flame sensor
During the sensor cleaning process, if you discover the tip of the sensor is black or the component is misshapen or broken in any way, replace rather than repair the part. Follow the flame sensor cleaning steps, but install the new sensor instead of cleaning the old one.
How much to fix a flame sensor?
You will spend between $130 and $470 hiring a professional to fix or replace your flame sensor. The cost, of course, depends on who you hire as well as the type of furnace you have. If you have an older furnace with parts that are harder to find then you may want to think about upgrading your furnace as a whole anyway. Always ask the contractor how much they charge, and what is included in the price so you have a good idea of what to expect.
What does a flame sensor do?
When the flame sensor is properly working, it will act to shut down the gas valve when it doesn’t sense a flame at the moment the furnace should be firing. The flame sensor is a safety valve and is an integral part of the furnace.
Why do you need to keep a flame sensor clean?
This is to keep any corrosion or dirt from deteriorating the metal surface. This will ensure that the flame sensor stays in working condition for longer.
What to do if you think your furnace sensor is bad?
If you think that there may be an issue with your flame sensor, the first thing to do is turn off the electrical power to the furnace. You can do this at the furnace itself or at your electrical box, whichever you feel.
What is a Furnace Flame Sensor?
The furnace flame sensor is a safety device found in all gas furnaces. Its sole purpose is to determine whether there’s a flame on the burner and communicate the feedback to the circuit board. The circuit board then uses the information to determine whether to keep the gas supply ON.
How to Tell if Your Furnace Flame Sensor is Bad
If you’re having problems igniting the furnace or keeping it ON, you might have a problem with the furnace flame sensor. The following are a few signs that it may indeed be a bad furnace flame sensor;
What Causes a Furnace Flame Sensor to Fail?
The furnace flame sensor can fail for many reasons. However, in most cases is one or more of the following;
What Happens When a Furnace Flame Sensor Goes Bad?
When the furnace flame sensor goes bad, you’ll notice a few things. Typically, the furnace will not come on, no matter how hard you try. It will come on and go off repeatedly, then get to a point where it locks out and refuses to come on completely.
When Should I Replace my Furnace Flame Sensor?
You might have come across a few blogs saying you should replace your furnace flame sensor every 2-3 months. While that isn’t a bad practice, the best solution is only to replace a defective flame sensor, i.e., when it refuses to work.
How to Replace a Furnace Flame Sensor Step-by-Step
Fortunately, replacing the furnace flame sensor isn’t as difficult as you might imagine. It’s also completely safe as long as you turn off the furnace before you begin.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Furnace Flame Sensor?
The cost of replacing a furnace flame sensor varies from one furnace to another and the service charge. It also depends on whether you opt for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement or universal sensor.
