Reznor "Died"

[RT-in-the-woods]

HI,
Reading several posts, I can see this is a site that has many knowledgeable members that have many great answers. I do need some help.
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I have a Reznor Unit heater, catagory III, Model FE50 in my woodworking shop since 1992. It has worked without any problems, until last Monday. It burns natural gas. I set the thermostat and the exhaust blower (may not be the correct name for it, but I am sure you know what it is) starts to run. Then the "sparking" sound is heard, next the gas lights. Well Monday the "sparking" sound never happened and the gas never fired. The blower just kept on running.
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I can do many things, but a master of nothing. I really have no idea where to start looking as to what could be wrong.
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Any ideas?
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Thanks,
RT

 

[ForceFed70]

Check for error codes. That may give you some additional information.

Taking a shot in the dark here but sounds like the ignitor/ignition module needs to be replaced. On some units it's a seperate part, on others it's part of the main control board. Expensive part to replace so you may want to have a professional take a look just in case.

 

[brewchief]

That unit should have a pressure switch that has to close to prove that the vent motor is running and moving enough air, make sure the hose connecting the switch isn't plugged or broken and the ports are clear. Gently sucking on the hose when the venter motor is running should close it and the ignition module should then light it. The switches do go bad on occasion but not very often, most of the time there is another issue that prevents the switch from closing.

 

[Trucky]

A bit OT, but I definitely thought you were going to say that Trent Reznor died.

 

[Exceller8]

A bit OT, but I definitely thought you were going to say that Trent Reznor died.

Me too!

 

[fatboy99]

That unit should have a pressure switch that has to close to prove that the vent motor is running and moving enough air, make sure the hose connecting the switch isn't plugged or broken and the ports are clear. Gently sucking on the hose when the venter motor is running should close it and the ignition module should then light it. The switches do go bad on occasion but not very often, most of the time there is another issue that prevents the switch from closing.

Also check the vent pipe or chimney to make sure there is no blockage ( wasp or bird's nest) I have a HHPI heater that did the same and it was a large wasp nest blocking the vent pipe.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

The ignition module on my Reznor took a **** last Fall. The blower would run, the sparking action would occur but no ignition. Ended up replacing the module and $90 some odd dollars later it runs fine. You said you are not getting the clicking sound but I suspect the module may still be the culprit. Try this, open the base of the unit (the pan at the base is hinged and with the removal of a few screws it ought to swing aside). Turn the unit on and see if you can light it manually.

Okay now that I think about it I don't know what that will tell you, but it would be fun to try!

 

[RT-in-the-woods]

Thanks for all the interesting answers.
No blockage in vent pipe.
brewchief,
Pulled one of the rubber hoses off and did a "**** test." There was a click and the unit fired. But it would not hold. Gas and flame shut down.
Shorted the two wires on the switch. When power applied, the unit fired, but within a few seconds died again. Then a few seconds later, it fired again. Same thing, it would not hold and keep running.
Got an idea something else is not working???

Thanks,
RT

 

[nehog]

Thanks for all the interesting answers.
No blockage in vent pipe.
brewchief,
Pulled one of the rubber hoses off and did a "**** test." There was a click and the unit fired. But it would not hold. Gas and flame shut down.
Shorted the two wires on the switch. When power applied, the unit fired, but within a few seconds died again. Then a few seconds later, it fired again. Same thing, it would not hold and keep running.
Got an idea something else is not working???

Thanks,
RT

Sounds very much like your vent fan is not moving enough air to maintain combustion.

 

[RT-in-the-woods]

I THINK WE HAVE IT!!!
brewchief mentioned air and nehog thinking not enough air.
I took the chimney apart(not hard to do)and turned the unit on. Nothing coming out of the pipe! So the blower! Took out two of the screws and am still fighting with the third one. It is in a bad place where it is next to impossible to get any tool to it. They are burnt and hard to get out. With two screws out, I could bend the motor bracket enough to see that the fan is in about 20 chunks. Completely a pile of metal. No air being created by that fan! So now all I have to do is find the replacement part and I may just be back in business!
Thanks again for steering me in the right direction!

RT