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WOMAN NEEDS HELP-Forced Air Heating Challenge

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Comments

  • I found it on

    ebay. So I will be ordering it soon.
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,612
    Mike the valve that is

    on this furnace is a Generation I SmartValve (you can tell by the knob on top of the valve instead of a switch). What I have had techs do once they replace the pilot assembly is to tape the plug in to the valve that has worked pretty good instead of replacing an entire valve. Honeywell never had a recall on that clip problem they just beefed up the plug in to make sure it stayed in place.



    I am just hopeing this is the problem for this lady. There are other issues to be addressed after we get it running.
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,612
    Yea i finally have a picture

    complements of my son-in-law. I am not to good with this computer picture posting stuff. There are some nmore areas I need to get my picture installed.
  • Wednesday to be exact. Also, I hope to disassemble

    tomorrow, if it stops raining. It's the invasion of the crickets under there in the rain. I would hate to step on one of those little fellas
  • Hey Tim, the igniter kit came in the mail today...

    ...my plan is to install it tomorrow. I will keep you posted.
  • Amanda
    Amanda Member Posts: 4
    Guys, please help me!

    Okay, so it's only the begining of October, but this morning was so cold that my soon to be 2 year old was saying, "BIGGGGG COLD!" 

    I'm freaking out a bit....because I am a single mother, and Im not to sure what the problem is or how much it could cost.

    I have an acroaire 80 afue (not sure if i remember the correct word or spelling) furnace.

    I tried to turn it on--you can hear it running, and you can hear it trying to light repeatedly. It's making that clicking/ticking noise like its trying to ignite, and after several tries for about 40 seconds, it stops trying to ignite---BUT, The furnace is still on and runnig (and no air comes from any vents at all).



    I decided to check and see if maybe I needed to clean the sensor or ignitor or something. So, I turned all power off from the switch and breaker and the gas as well. As I was snooping around in there, it was hard to tell what was what.

    After a few minutes.....I found a blue wire seperated in 1/2. I seen one end of the wire hooked into the side wall of the panel with other wires..... and the other half of the wire went back into the system somewhere and I couldnt see where it led to.

    I am assuming this broken blue wire is the problem....



    Does anyone have any idea how much something like this would cost, or if I could do it myself or have a friend do it for me?

    How could I identify this wire to figure out what I need to buy to replace it? And Im assuming it should be pretty easy...



    Does anyone know what the blue wire is for, or what it sounds like it is, since the heat wont fire up?
  • Amanda
    Amanda Member Posts: 4
    Guys, please help me!

    Okay, so it's only the begining of October, but this morning was so cold that my soon to be 2 year old was saying, "BIGGGGG COLD!" 

    I'm freaking out a bit....because I am a single mother, and Im not to sure what the problem is or how much it could cost.

    I have an acroaire 80 afue (not sure if i remember the correct word or spelling) furnace.

    I tried to turn it on--you can hear it running, and you can hear it trying to light repeatedly. It's making that clicking/ticking noise like its trying to ignite, and after several tries for about 40 seconds, it stops trying to ignite---BUT, The furnace is still on and runnig (and no air comes from any vents at all).



    I decided to check and see if maybe I needed to clean the sensor or ignitor or something. So, I turned all power off from the switch and breaker and the gas as well. As I was snooping around in there, it was hard to tell what was what.

    After a few minutes.....I found a blue wire seperated in 1/2. I seen one end of the wire hooked into the side wall of the panel with other wires..... and the other half of the wire went back into the system somewhere and I couldnt see where it led to.

    I am assuming this broken blue wire is the problem....



    Does anyone have any idea how much something like this would cost, or if I could do it myself or have a friend do it for me?

    How could I identify this wire to figure out what I need to buy to replace it? And Im assuming it should be pretty easy...



    Does anyone know what the blue wire is for, or what it sounds like it is, since the heat wont fire up?
  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
    Heat

    Were are you located? We may know somebody that can help.
  • Amanda
    Amanda Member Posts: 4
    Im in Michigan

    Im downriver Michigan
  • Amanda
    Amanda Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2012
    Sorry

    Sorry, I didn't mean to start a new question on her thread...I meant to start a new one. Forgive me!!



    I'D LIKE TO ADD-- I just took another look and there was a little box thing with all different wires going into it, and i didnt notice before, but since I looked deep in there this time, I was able to see that the blue wire that is broken, goes into the top slot and says spark.

    So would that be part of the ignitor?

    Wouldnt i be able to just cut some of the blue off the ends of the wires and then rejoin them and use electrical tape?



    Shouldn't I be able to do this myself?
  • Good Morning Tim, I am in the process of replacing the igniter

    I had a few complications removing the screws from the metal housing so I took an alternative route. With that said, when I removed the old igniter I couldn't determine which prong goes on top or bottom. The flat one or the hooked one. Please advise.
  • Never mind I figured it out...

    ...so I've completed the installment the old igniter was white on the tips and cracked down the middle. After putting the new one in I see fire! Which I had not seen before but when I turn on the unit it won't blow hot air. The flame coming from the igniter is no going into one of those three holes behind it. Could that be what's going on?
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,612
    It is hard for me to tell

    without being able to see the holes you are talking about to determine if that is correct.



    I have really tried to help you out with this problem but I must strongly advise you to get a professional in to look at it. Explain your situation to them most of us in this business are very understanding and want to help customers so maybe they will come and take a quick look and just charge for the call so at least you know what direction to go.
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,612
    It is quite possible

    that the broken blue wire is your problem. Do not try to reconnect it as you could do more damage. Get a professional to look at it as it will be cheaper in the long run. We do not discuss prices here so what ever your local professional charges would be the price.
  • Almost There



    Tim, I completely understand. God bless your heart. I really appreciate all of your help and patience (I know this has been a long process). Maybe someone else on here can walk me through the rest.

    Ok fellas: I replaced the igniter with a new flame rod kit because the pilot was out. Now that I've completed that their is no flame going from the manifold to the burners. Can anyone give me some tips? I know I'm close because before the install, I saw no flame. 

    Thanks.
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,612
    Based on the pictures

    I am not sure if you have a flame, it may be only the igniter glowing just not sure. You are going to need a multi-meter at this point in order to be able to troubleshoot the rest. You will also need a special adapter for checking microamps which has to be purchased from Honeywell.



    Now my other concern which I was waiting to address until after we got you up and running I do not believe this furnace is supposed to be installed in a horizontal position. I think it is only designed for vertical installation. Now some furnaces can be mounted three different ways but I do not think this is one of them. I will have to research the model and serial numbers.
  • Empire_2
    Empire_2 Member Posts: 2,343
    Tim you already know what I'm going to say

    Gas Valve.





    Mike T.
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,612
    Mike you may be correct

    and I am not sure if this very enthusiastic lady should be attempting the rest of this. That along with the mounting issue of this furnace.
  • WomanNeedsYourExpertise
    WomanNeedsYourExpertise Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2012
    Detailed reply...

    ...coming your way.
  • Hi Guys. I actually did see fire. It wasn't just a glow.

    There was a BIG flame but the pictures didn't pick it up. The flame kind of looks blue in the pics on the left. Tell me Tim, is this still a serious safety hazard, even if the power is cut off? I will take heed to your warning but I actually had fun doing this. Besides, the couple of HVAC techs I talked to appear to be very inauthentic suggesting I need a new unit before coming to troubleshoot (service call). I KNOW I DO NOT need a new unit. NO WAY. God wouldn't give me a situation I could not handle. THAT I KNOW.







    Also, I want you to know, Tim, I took your advice and called the church's mission department. They don't fund this sort of thing, only bills, rent and mortgage. My ex has been trying to get me some help but he's been such a big help in other ways, he's stretched at this point and has his own non- working furnace that he wouldn't dare attempt to fix (not handy in this department). So he definitely needs to call a pro. If I can do this myself I think that would be best so he can focus fixing his own. I would hate for him to fix ours and not have heat himself. Also, my sheriff neighbor is great but knows nothing about furnaces. To your credit Tim (even though I prefer not to ask people for stuff, even when I need the help) I've asked several YMCA and church members if they knew any gas furnace specialists and  this seems to be a unpopular topic amongst homeowners. Even to the point that many prefer to use room heaters, wood stoves, etc.







    As far as the unit being horizontal, I am not sure. I bought this house 6.5 years ago and it was built in 1961. I am the 3rd owner. Not sure how old the furnace is but I know it's an older model. I had it serviced a year and a half ago, and the preceding year and was told it was in good condition--that I just needed to change the filter regularly. Which I've done.

     







    I will purchase the multi-tester (Lowe's or Home Depot, right?) and the special adapter for testing microamps-I hope the stores will sell this to me. Many of them require me to be a wholesaler or contractor. Is that the exact name for it? Honeywell Special Adapter for testing Microamps?













    By the way, after installing the new igniter, I call the gas company to make sure I didn't have a gas leak, since the burners weren't lit and the guy said the igniter was fired up but burner were closed. Whatever that means, he said he wasn't allowed to expound.









    My 88 year old grandfather passed away in his sleep (yay! peacefully) so I'm on my way out of town to pay my respects. I will try to get back on here tonight. If not, I should be back by Sunday and will attempt to get what I need Monday. God will keep us warm until this mission is accomplished He loves us! He will make a way!









    Thanks Guys.  
  • Empire_2
    Empire_2 Member Posts: 2,343
    I agree Tim

    It's not worth someone getting hurt. I guess this is why we are called professionals due to the fact that heating equipment can kill you. There are proceedures that must be mastered to do it right.





    Mike T.
  • WomanNeedsYourExpertise
    WomanNeedsYourExpertise Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2012
    Tim! I'm Back! And I know you know...

    ...God is great, brilliant, magnificent, loving and FAITHFUL. It's been in the high 70's here in Charlotte, NC for the past 10 days so my focus has been on comforting my mother since my grandfather's passing.





    Last Tuesday, my ex sent a pro over to checkout my furnace. I told the guy I could do it myself and was CERTAIN it was the igniter, and to please show me my mistake. He said I was slightly off and showed me how I the igniter needed to be fit between the sensor. He also showed me how to get those screws off the metal housing so I wouldn't have to go through detaching the manifold again. No service call fee, free of charge. Glory to God, again!





    An hour ago, I decided to spend some time with the good ole furnace. Reinstalled the igniter, correctly, and guess what??? Me and my beautiful, wonderful kids have heat now. Yay!!!





    Thanks for your help, Tim! I think what you do on heatinghelp is awesome. Maybe this post can help someone else. Almighty GOD IS BRILLIANT!!! His love endures 4EVER!
    OldManwithStick
This discussion has been closed.