Carrier 58SB0A070E141112 Ignition Issues

[Ntcarson]

Good morning! I have a 2020 58SB0A070E141112 that struggles to ignite, especially during very cold days. I believe that the problem may have been mildly present last year, but got worse this year.

During ignition, the igniter glows a nice orangish-white then I hear the gas valve hissing, but it never ignites on the first try. During the warm day (60) when I tested, it always fired on the 2nd or 3rd attempt and it stayed lit fine. On failed attempts it, of course, yields error code 34; I believe that, on colder days, it eventually goes into error state 14 and shuts down for a while.

I have HVAC tech scheduled for mid-next week, but it has gotten very cold again and I'm wondering if there is anything that a buffoon, like me, can try in the meantime?

My gut tells me gas flow, but why would it stay lit if flow was an issue?

Any advice is greatly appreciated,
Neil

 

[Fitter30]

So the part that glows ( hot surface igniter) doesn't light the gas just tries and blows out.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Ntcarson]

So the part that glows ( hot surface igniter) doesn't light the gas just tries and blows out.

Yeah - igniter glows for a number of seconds, then hissing sound, but never smelled gas (so probably venting well) and it didn't ignite. Igniter went dark, delay, then tries again. Always fired on the 2nd or 3rd attempt and stayed on until thermostat sent different order.

 

[Fitter30]

Yeah - igniter glows for a number of seconds, then hissing sound, but never smelled gas (so probably venting well) and it didn't ignite. Igniter went dark, delay, then tries again. Always fired on the 2nd or 3rd attempt and stayed on until thermostat sent different order.

Looking at parts lists getting conflicting info.Could have a dirty pilot. Is there a 1/4" aluminum tube running off the gas valve? It will go to a pilot assembly. Does it have the tubing?

 

[Ntcarson]

Looking at parts lists getting conflicting info.Could have a dirty pilot. Is there a 1/4" aluminum tube running off the gas valve? It will go to a pilot assembly. Does it have the tubing?

I don't see it, but I'm kind of an idiot - does this help? Thanks!

 

[Fitter30]

Bottom burner as the pic shows / far right with white wire see how the burner/ flame doesn't look like the other two..
Burner looks like its dirty. The white wire is going to a flame rod. This rod measure voltage thru the flame to ground making sure it's burning correctly. That is why it's retrying two or three times and then locking out. Have something 12" or a little longer metal or wood 1/2" diameter( long screwdriver) or a little less tap on the Black pipe and burner don't touch the flame rod while it trying to burn. Might knock the dirt off the burner and start to burn like the other two. Just don't go crazy tapping.If you have a air compressor can try to blow out the burners being off.

 

[Ntcarson]

Bottom burner as the pic shows / far right with white wire see how the burner/ flame doesn't look like the other two..
Burner looks like its dirty. The white wire is going to a flame rod. This rod measure voltage thru the flame to ground making sure it's burning correctly. That is why it's retrying two or three times and then locking out. Have something 12" or a little longer metal or wood 1/2" diameter( long screwdriver) or a little less tap on the Black pipe and burner don't touch the flame rod while it trying to burn. Might knock the dirt off the burner and start to burn like the other two. Just don't go crazy tapping.If you have a air compressor can try to blow out the burners being off.

Thank you. I'm about to head up and take a look. I thought the flame rod didn't come into play until after ignition, and if it were failing it would light then go out?

 

[Fitter30]

Thank you. I'm about to head up and take a look. I thought the flame rod didn't come into play until after ignition, and if it were failing it would light then go out?

It doesn't. Hot surface gets red hot light the first burner there is a path that the flame travels right to the second burner there is a path to the third burner lights it. Flame rod sees that it is fired proves the flame gas valve stays open all in a second or two. Flame fails might recycle in 90-120 seconds. Three time a hard lock out. Hot surface igniter can remove it take to appliance parts house they can match it. They can still glow and still be bad. Control is looking for a minimum amperage and will not open gas valve. Do not touch the part that gets hot the.oil from your fingers will make it fail premature.

 

[Ntcarson]

It doesn't. Hot surface gets red hot light the first burner there is a path that the flame travels right to the second burner there is a path to the third burner lights it. Flame rod sees that it is fired proves the flame gas valve stays open all in a second or two. Flame fails might recycle in 90-120 seconds. Three time a hard lock out. Hot surface igniter can remove it take to appliance parts house they can match it. They can still glow and still be bad. Control is looking for a minimum amperage and will not open gas valve. Do not touch the part that gets hot the.oil from your fingers will make it fail premature.

I had a firm conversation with it, reseated a few connectors, cleaned a few bugs out of the exhaust pipe and it seems to be firing on the first go now. Fingers crossed, and thank you for your advice!!