2 Possible Reasons Why The Burner In Your Home's Gas Furnace Refuses To Ignite

After noticing that your home's gas furnace is not kicking on when it should, you may have stood next to it to try to find out why. Although you can hear a clicking noise, you may have found that the burner is not lighting up when it should.

If this is the case, the clicking noise you are hearing is the electric igniter attempting to ignite the gas to produce the flame for the burner. Besides the possibility that the igniter itself is malfunctioning, there are a couple of other possible reasons why the burner in your gas furnace refuses to light.

1. Valve to the Gas Line That Feeds the Burner Is Stuck Closed

One possible reason why your gas furnace's igniter is not lighting the burner is that there is not enough gas being fed to it. When the igniter switches on, it sends a signal to the gas line's valve to open to let the gas flood the chamber where it will ignite.

However, if the valve is stuck closed, the line will be unable to deliver the gas to the igniter. Since replacing the valve requires that the gas lines be cut and worked on, you should only have it repaired by a certified technician.

2. Flame Sensor That Regulates the Gas Feed Is Going Bad

Another possible reason that the burner is not igniting could be that the flame sensor is going bad. As part of the furnace's safety features, the flame sensor will shut off the delivery of gas to the igniter if it detects too much gas in the chamber.

However, if the sensor has started to malfunction, it will start sending false signals to shut off the gas even if the right amount is being fed to the igniter. A professional repair technician will be needed to replace the faulty flame sensor if they discover that it is the cause.

When the furnace's burner refuses to ignite, it may not be getting the gas it requires because a gas line valve is stuck closed or the flame sensor is starting to go bad. The cause could be excess dirt within the furnace that is blocking the flow of oxygen to the flame. No matter the cause, the problem with the furnace's igniter should be addressed by a professional. For more information on furnace repair, contact a professional or a company near you.