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Furnace may have failed - any suggestions west of GTA (Halton Hills)

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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:09 am
Tiberius [OP]
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Georgetown

Feb 23rd, 2023 9:09 am

Furnace may have failed - any suggestions west of GTA (Halton Hills)

This morning I believe my furnace may have failed - so I'm likely going to have to act quickly to get it fixed or replaced. I usually do my homework before making a big decision like this - but will have to act quickly in this case if it doesn't show signs of life soon.

Can anyone recommend HVAC places to call in the Halton Hills area? Also - any suggestions on what brands/types of furnace to look for as a replacement are appreciated.

This could be a "fun" few days.......
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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:23 am
Tiberius [OP]
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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:23 am

Thanks!

I shut down everything, replaced the furnance filter and just restarted it... and... it seems to be working! Not sure what caused it to die earlier - maybe the furnace filter was restricting airflow too much and it has a shutdown feature or something??

I'm still going to do my homework now as I'm not confident in the unit now.
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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:35 am
fieldhousehandyman
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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:35 am

Did you check the led error codes? Does it show error codes with a flashing LED?

Modern furnaces are extremely sensitive things, with multiple sensors that can cause shutdowns.

Restricted air intake will virtually always shut a modern furnace down, and can be caused by such things as dirty filters, snow buildup around the combustion air intake, or a pine cone or two stuffed in the intake vent by a not so smart six year old...
"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."
Just a guy who dabbles in lots of stuff learning along the way. I do have opinions, and readily share them!
Feb 23rd, 2023 9:40 am
Tiberius [OP]
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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:40 am

fieldhousehandyman wrote: ↑ Did you check the led error codes? Does it show error codes with a flashing LED?

Modern furnaces are extremely sensitive things, with multiple sensors that can cause shutdowns.

Restricted air intake will virtually always shut a modern furnace down, and can be caused by such things as dirty filters, snow buildup around the combustion air intake, or a pine cone or two stuffed in the intake vent by a not so smart six year old...
I will try to find if it has an error codes showing - it tripped off again. I shut it off and started it again and I briefly heard a bit of a grinding/rattling? noise... it seems to be only able to run a short time then trip off...

It is a 15 year'ish old Lennox? Ultra V Tech 91 - I don't think it has an LED display.
Feb 23rd, 2023 9:46 am
Tiberius [OP]
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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:46 am

Ok - it went off again and I checked the flasing LED light... it is doing 3 flashes which the manual says is "Pressure switch open with inducer on".
Feb 23rd, 2023 9:48 am
fieldhousehandyman
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Feb 23rd, 2023 9:48 am

Tiberius wrote: ↑ Ok - it went off again and I checked the flasing LED light... it is doing 3 flashes which the manual says is "Pressure switch open with inducer on".
Sweet! now put what you have quoted into google, and see what comes up!

my first result was a great explanation by Ferguson HVAC.
"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."
Just a guy who dabbles in lots of stuff learning along the way. I do have opinions, and readily share them!
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:04 am
Rick007
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:04 am

Tiberius wrote: ↑ Ok - it went off again and I checked the flasing LED light... it is doing 3 flashes which the manual says is "Pressure switch open with inducer on".
Check that the exhaust pipe has not been blocked by snow.
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:15 am
Tiberius [OP]
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:15 am

Now it's giving 7 flashes - Lockout due to no ignition.

I definitely need to get someone out to look at it...
Feb 23rd, 2023 10:16 am
Tiberius [OP]
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:16 am

Rick007 wrote: ↑ Check that the exhaust pipe has not been blocked by snow.
First thing I checked - intake and exhaust are fine.
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:38 am
newlyborn
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Woodbridge

Feb 23rd, 2023 10:38 am

I am guessing that you have a newer model post 2012 of Carrier ( Bryant, Payne ) ? Let us know the make and model of your furnace and we can share our little knowledge / experience gained working in field for past 19 years.
You mentioned that you have checked intake as suggested by @Rick007 ( great suggestion) . Can you tell how did you checked intake ? Just by looking outside termination ? Have you ensured that it did not suck any snow during the storm ?
Pressure switch can also fail due to clogged condensate drain , defective heat exchanger or water going in the switch itself.
Tiberius wrote: ↑ First thing I checked - intake and exhaust are fine.
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:41 am
psfl
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Leask

Feb 23rd, 2023 10:41 am

Call or text Ash at newlyborn Fair deal Heating and Air Conditioning 416 992 2333 He did my furnace and AC
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:58 am
Tiberius [OP]
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Feb 23rd, 2023 10:58 am

newlyborn wrote: ↑ I am guessing that you have a newer model post 2012 of Carrier ( Bryant, Payne ) ? Let us know the make and model of your furnace and we can share our little knowledge / experience gained working in field for past 19 years.
You mentioned that you have checked intake as suggested by @Rick007 ( great suggestion) . Can you tell how did you checked intake ? Just by looking outside termination ? Have you ensured that it did not suck any snow during the storm ?
Pressure switch can also fail due to clogged condensate drain , defective heat exchanger or water going in the switch itself.
I checked by going outside and turning the furnace on... I could feel the air being sucked in the intake, and blown out the exhaust. There were no obstructions.

It is an Ultra V Tech 91. The model is G1D91BU075D12B-1A

The manual says "Lennox" on it, but the furnance itself doesn't seem to have the "brand" on it that I can see... inside the furnance, the sticker says manufactured for "Armstrong".

I cleaned the flamer sensor but that isn't the issue - going to see if there is a way to check the condensate drain... it doesn't seem to be igniting now. (I see it glow for a few seconds but then it dies off instead of firing up the burners... then the 7 LED flashes for "lockout due to no ignition". It was igniting before and then quiting after a short period of time...
Feb 23rd, 2023 11:12 am
dbracer
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Toronto

Feb 23rd, 2023 11:12 am

These things are usually incredibly easy to fix . At worst you may need a socket set and some screwdrivers.

Youtube is your friend.

Sequence of a furnace startup:
  1. Power to the furnace control board
  2. Thermostat signals the call for heat
  3. Inducer motor kicks on
  4. Pressure switch proves the inducer operates correctly
  5. Ignitor activates
  6. Gas valve energizes
  7. Flame pours across burners
  8. Flame sensor proves all burners are lit
  9. The blower forces air through the ducts
Looks like you are getting stuck here "Pressure switch proves the inducer operates correctly"

Given the recent snow I'm gonna guess too much condensation in the inducer motor drainage line for the motor to clear out on it's own. You may here a water gurgling sound when the inducer motor first starts up.

Simple fix is to pull the drainage line from the inducer motor housing with a cup under it to catch the water runoff and any debris. When drained just reattach. No tools required at all. Literally a 5 second fix in most cases.
Feb 23rd, 2023 11:31 am
pootza
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Feb 23rd, 2023 11:31 am

Tiberius wrote: ↑ I checked by going outside and turning the furnace on... I could feel the air being sucked in the intake, and blown out the exhaust. There were no obstructions.

It is an Ultra V Tech 91. The model is G1D91BU075D12B-1A

The manual says "Lennox" on it, but the furnance itself doesn't seem to have the "brand" on it that I can see... inside the furnance, the sticker says manufactured for "Armstrong".

I cleaned the flamer sensor but that isn't the issue - going to see if there is a way to check the condensate drain... it doesn't seem to be igniting now. (I see it glow for a few seconds but then it dies off instead of firing up the burners... then the 7 LED flashes for "lockout due to no ignition". It was igniting before and then quiting after a short period of time...
The pressure switch is probably not function properly and is stuck in the open position. Give it a little rap with a screwdriver and it will probably start working again. The furnace will lockout after so many failed tries so you just have to turn the power on and off to reset it. Also check the condensate drain to make sure it's not plugged up.
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Feb 23rd, 2023 12:27 pm
newlyborn
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Woodbridge

Feb 23rd, 2023 12:27 pm

This is an older model of Armstrong. As @pootza has mentioned, it can be the pressure switch itself which is faulty.
See if you can disconnect or cut the intake pipe close to the furnace. If furnace works after intake is disconnected, you know there is a restriction somewhere in intake. Once you cut / disconnect intake, put a golf ball in the intake and it should roll below to end without any issues if there is nothing inside. The pipe can be just joined using a coupling afterwards. Good luck.
Tiberius wrote: ↑ I checked by going outside and turning the furnace on... I could feel the air being sucked in the intake, and blown out the exhaust. There were no obstructions.

It is an Ultra V Tech 91. The model is G1D91BU075D12B-1A

The manual says "Lennox" on it, but the furnance itself doesn't seem to have the "brand" on it that I can see... inside the furnance, the sticker says manufactured for "Armstrong".

I cleaned the flamer sensor but that isn't the issue - going to see if there is a way to check the condensate drain... it doesn't seem to be igniting now. (I see it glow for a few seconds but then it dies off instead of firing up the burners... then the 7 LED flashes for "lockout due to no ignition". It was igniting before and then quiting after a short period of time...
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Feb 23rd, 2023 12:48 pm
congo
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Ottawa

Feb 23rd, 2023 12:48 pm

Experienced the same symptoms years ago. Tried many things and eventually focused on the pressure switch. Took the rubber hose off of the inducer and then sucked/blew on the hose to hear the switch working. I didn't hear anything at first then it started clicking. Suck/blow a few more times and reconnected to the fan. Started the furnace and it ran ever since. Maybe your pressure switch is stuck.
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Feb 23rd, 2023 1:50 pm
Tiberius [OP]
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Feb 23rd, 2023 1:50 pm

Just to follow-up on this. It has been diagnosed as a faulty gas valve and the repair should be done today - so hopefully I'm not without heat much longer.

Thanks to everyone and the tips here! I did troubleshoot several things myself, but unfortunately it wasn't any of those items.
Last edited by Tiberius on Feb 23rd, 2023 2:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Feb 23rd, 2023 2:01 pm
fourseasoncomfort
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Feb 23rd, 2023 2:01 pm

Tiberius wrote: ↑ Just to follow-up on this. It has been diagnosed as a faulty gas valve and they repair should be done today - so hopefully I'm not without heat much longer.

Thanks to everyone and the tips here! I did troubleshoot several things myself, but unfortunately it wasn't any of those items.
Great to hear!
See our 2022 RFD Trane AC Group Buy
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Feb 23rd, 2023 3:02 pm
mrweather
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Mississauga

Feb 23rd, 2023 3:02 pm

Gas valve, eh? Always thought those were pretty reliable.

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