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06-23-2015, 09:07 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cold Lake
, Alberta
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
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Furnace burner doesn't stay lit
For the last couple of weeks the furnace has been working fine. Went to light it yesterday and the burner lit but the igniter kept snapping and soon after the burner shut down.
Is this a flame sensor problem? Where do I start?
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06-23-2015, 09:34 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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The ignitor (snapping sound) is also the flame sensor. When the flame is present and the ignitor is in the right position, the flame essentially extinguishes the sparking and then the circuit board says... good, flame is established. That keeps the gas flowing as the circuit board continues to send power to the gas valve.
When the spark finger is not in the right position the flame does not extinguish the spark and the circuit board says "oh, no lighting of the gas, turn it off". So, probably your spark finger is not properly positioned. You will have to go to the Suburban service manual to find how that finger is adjusted properly. (or other brand service manual if it is not a Suburban furnace). It also could be just a dirty ignition spark finger, you can remove it and clean it.
The other possibility is that the circuit board itself is defective, but since you have spark and ignition, but rapid shut down, it is more likely that it is a spark finger adjustment or cleaning that needs to be done.
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06-24-2015, 08:18 AM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cold Lake
, Alberta
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
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Thanks - I'll pull out the spark finger and make the proper adjustments and clean them up and see if that helps.For reference, the furnace is a Suburban NT-30MB.
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06-24-2015, 08:27 AM
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#4
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2020 Classic 33
Box Elder
, South Dakota
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,731
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Also could be a pressure issue, failed/failing regulator. Do the stove burners appear to be normal? Fridge and water heater running ok on propane?
__________________
Gary
2020 Classic 33 Twin, 2019 Ram 3500 Longhorn, ProPride
NØVPN
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06-24-2015, 08:53 AM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cold Lake
, Alberta
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
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Haven't used the fridge on LP, and having only lit the hot water tank briefly to see if it functioned I can't really speak to that either, but it seemed to be fine. The stove and the over appear to function normally as well, however I did notice that it took a LONG time to boil a kettle on the stove on the last trip, maybe that's a clue?
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06-24-2015, 09:12 AM
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#6
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The Sign Lady
1969 23' Safari
1974 Argosy 22
1964 24' Tradewind
Victoria
, British Columbia
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 677
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06-24-2015, 11:19 AM
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#7
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New Member
2002 26' Land Yacht 26
Jemison
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
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Hello
Maybe your exhaust is clogged up with hardened mud from dirt gobber wasps. just a thought, if its clogged just stick, a stick into exhaust pipe if see if its clogged up. clean it out with a vacuum if you cant get it all.
worked for us.
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06-24-2015, 02:19 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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The clogged inlet/exhaust though is a good one to explore. It can happen pretty quickly. But my experience is that sometimes they get way deep into the intake and you cannot find the clog without total disassembly, which is not easy.
What does the flame look like when it briefly lights? Nice and hard blue, or a sooty yellow look? If you leave the inspection cap off, does the flame blow out the port? A sooty flame or a flame blowing out the port indicate a clogged up intake or exhaust.
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06-24-2015, 03:08 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cold Lake
, Alberta
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
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I had the furnace disassembled and cleaned it out thoroughly. There was a LOT of black soot inside. The ports are clean as a whistle. Since the cleaning, the flame is blue on the bottom with bits of yellow on the top. I'd like to adjust the burner, but can't do so until the thing runs properly...
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06-24-2015, 11:34 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Cold Lake
, Alberta
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 64
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Here's a video of what this guy is doing:
https://youtu.be/U4xvAx36oPE
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