The furnace ignition control module is an essential part of your furnace. It provides power to the furnace blower, and is more reliable than the standing pilot light that is found in older gas furnace models. Because it uses an electronically-controlled ignition to light the burners, it is more energy efficient and generally safer.
However, this does not mean that it is not susceptible to problems. Electronic ignition failure is very common and can prevent your furnace from turning on. Use the following furnace ignition control module troubleshooting tips to help you identify some of the most common gas furnace ignition problems.
First, let’s take a look at the two most common electronic ignition systems:
Intermittent Pilot (IP)
In furnaces with intermittent plot systems, the pilot only ignites the burner gas when the thermostat calls for heat. With this type of furnace, your ignition may not spark at all. Or, perhaps the spark happens but does not light the pilot. Sometimes, the pilot will light but not ignite the burner.
Hot Surface Ignitors (HSI)
In furnaces that use hot surface igniters, electricity passes through a filament and heats up, eventually igniting the gas for the burner. However, this part can malfunction over time due to normal wear, damage due to improper handling, or a too-high electrical current in your home.
Furnace Ignition Control Module Troubleshooting
Modern furnaces feature a circuit board to control the ignition process as well as many of the other complex processes within your heating equipment. An advantage of these circuit boards is that they can often give you clues as to the source of your furnace problem. The circuit board may use LED lights to indicate a specific error code that you can then reference in your furnace manual to troubleshoot problems.
A few simple things to check out include:
- Turn the igniter off and wait a few minutes before turning it back on to see if the issue is resolved.
- Examine your furnace filter. A badly clogged filter can cycle your furnace ignition on and off repeatedly, leading to malfunction.
- Dirty filters, clogged ductwork or a plugged flue can cause limit switches to open when there is excessive heat buildup.
- Look at the ignition cable to ensure that there are no cracks or breaks, and the connections are clean and secure.
There are many things that can happen during the process of igniting your furnace that can cause the system to fail. From failure to light the pilot to defective sensors and bad blower wheels, any issue will signal to the circuit board that it is not safe to start the furnace. Often, replacing your furnace ignition control module is the solution. If you’ve tried the above furnace ignition control module troubleshooting tips and have not been able to resolve the problem, it’s time to call an expert.
The team at Evam Canada is available to diagnose and repair your furnace problems quickly and effectively with our emergency furnace repair services. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment.
