Why do i have to manually hit the reset button on my oil furnace in order for it to come on?

Question

I asked this question earlier but evidently there are those who think everyone is totally stupid. This is not the case, I am merely ignorant of what I am asking. I know enough not to keep pushing the reset button if the furnace does not start. It will only fill full of oil and then when and if it does ignite it could be a big explosion. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. MY FURNACE STARTS AND RUNS EVERYTIME I DO IT. It gets up to the setting on the thermostat and stops then does not come on again by itself, or seldom by itself. Here is what I gave for information in my first asking of this question.....I already replaced the thermostat. Sometimes the furnace will try to come on but the box where the reset button is will make chattering noise until I help the (relay??) inside fully engage. Other times I have to just push the reset button itself and it will engage itself and start heating. This is a oil furnace heating my hot water and steam radiators. This is electrical not fuel a problem. THANKYOU

Answer 1

Try this site,, it may help ,,but sounds like a bad primary control if it is chattering..

http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/79/07645420/0764542079.pdf

Answer 2

If the relay is making a chattering noise...I'm not telling you this remember...Turn the electric to this unit off. Make sure it's off. Take a piece of fine grit sand-paper and slip it between the contacts of the chattering points and gently slide it back and forth several times, cleaning them. Do the same with a piece of typing paper or clean paper. Give it a shot of air, blow hard. Try that, see if it works....sometimes from the mouths of babes?

Answer 3

Have you looked at the photo electric cell, also I have cleaned the contacts on the plug in control box and solved a similar problem on a UK boiler. It may be that it just wants a good service , some need servicing every 6 months.