The inducer motor starts, but the burners never light; you hear clicking or see the ignitor glow, then the system shuts down.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn off gas and power before removing burner or ignition components. If you smell gas, ventilate the area and do not attempt further starts.
Steps:
- Confirm gas supply: Ensure the manual gas shutoff valve near the furnace is open. Check that other gas appliances (stove, water heater) are working.
- Observe ignitor: Through the sight glass, confirm that the ignitor glows bright orange. A dim or non-glowing ignitor may not ignite the gas.
- Inspect ignitor: With the power off, remove the ignitor and check for cracks. Replace if damaged.
- Check gas valve switch: Some gas valves have an on/off switch or knob. Ensure it is in the ON position.
When to call a technician: If the ignitor glows but no gas is heard or the burners do not light, the gas valve or gas pressure may be at fault and should be checked by a licensed technician.