oil furnace only turns on when I press reset button?

Question

My furnace is only 5 years old. A couple of weeks ago, it stopped running. It will turn on if I go down and press the reset button. Then it will run; but when that bout is done, it does not come back on again by itself. I have had repair men here 5 times already! They can't seem to find the problem. Any suggestions?

Just wanted to thank each and every one of you for all of your help. After SEVEN service calls, they finally figured out that it was the transformer. This is a reputable company, as they are the ones who first installed the furnace. We have been doing business with them for 30 years and never before had problems. This one just stumped them. Again, thank you all very much.

Answer 1

Oil furnaces are definately more hastle than gas or propane, because they are based on old school technology and rely mostly on mechanical adjustments, and are a lot more volatile.

The safety circuit on an oil furnace is designed to try lighting 3 times and then gives up and locks out after the 3rd try.

It could be that your oil nozzle is gummed up and need to be replaced. If you have a lazy flame your fire eye will not see it.
It could be your electrodes need a good cleaning or replacement.
The insulators of your electrodes could be cracked.
Your fire eye lense could be in need of cleaning, or need to be adjusted to better see the flame(on some units).The fire eye module or the primary control itself may be going bad.

The transformer contacts and buss bars may not be making good contact.
Could be a lack of pressure from your pump.
Could be the burner blower fan is full of crud and not pushing enough air into the firebox.
Air in the line, Dirty filter, crud in your tank, poor fuel quality, Somebody stepping on your supply line and kinking or partially flattening it.all could be factors.

There are just too many variables with oil furnaces to troubleshoot over the internet. And it can be dangerous if not handled properly.
Check the simple things first, make sure supply line is sound, are the fittings tight and not sucking air,replace filter,bleed lines .

If it actually relights with one reset you 're fine but if it doesn't PLEASE,please don't keep hitting the reset button, it if trips there is a problem that needs addressed.
I've had oil furnaces blow apart on me because the homeowner filled the firepot with too much oil by reseting it waaaay too many times before it lit.
Based on what you've written it doesn't sound like you have an ignition problem, but more of an issue with fuel supply, flame monitoring, or possibly componet failure.
Call the manufacturer and get the name of a recommended /reputable HVAC company in your area.

A lot of HVAC company's don't like to work on oil furnaces anymore because they are such a hastle. I'm being optomistic here but The service guy you had may just be inexperienced with oil burners.
But then again........you could just be getting jerked around.

Good Luck

Answer 2

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RE:
oil furnace only turns on when I press reset button?
My furnace is only 5 years old. A couple of weeks ago, it stopped running. It will turn on if I go down and press the reset button. Then it will run; but when that bout is done, it does not come back on again by itself. I have had repair men here 5 times already! They can't seem to find...

Answer 3

Oil Furnace Troubleshooting

Answer 4

From your diagnostic report it is my opinion that the Primary Control is bad. That's the button thing you are pressing. It is a safety that if it doesn't recognize a flame it shuts off on a safety preventing fuel from loading up in the chamber and subsequent explosions. You are pressing it ONCE and it fires back up tells me that it is failing. It is not uncommon for this age furnace to have that happen. If your technicians have replaced this already your next repair would be the optical eye which is located on the transformer, it will see a flame and tell the Primary Control that there is a flame and may continue operation. I have to agree with others that you are being jerked by service people. I'm sorry to hear that.

Answer 5

Beckett Oil Burner Troubleshooting

Answer 6

you have air in the line, you need to "bleed" all of the air out of the line that feeds the oil into the furnace. its shutting off becuase when the oil stops running thruogh the line and air hits the flame stops. you should find a screw immediately after the line runs into the furnace, turn it until you see oil dribbling out the bottom, catch this with a jar or something, you will see the the bubbles coming out w/oil, this may take quite a few jars and resetting button, do not get discouraged continue doing this until all bubbles stop. you shouldnt use reset button much, it builds up in furnace

Answer 7

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check and see if you got enough oil. 2 months is a long time for a fill up. could also be a plugged oil filter, nozzle or pump strainer. also the ignition transformer could of failed. Call a repair service, don't try to fix it yourself if you don't know anything about heating. I guarantee it will cost you more! and don't keep pushing the reset button, If it didn't light after the first time, it's not going to light. you could be pumping oil in the chamber, and when it does light, it's going to have allot of excess oil to burn off. I guarantee it will cost you more! But i would check the oil level first.

Answer 8

i think the trouble is with the repairmen! just through the process of elimination they should have figured it out by now. the thermostat, the burner control, a safety switch, the igniter, the transformer. i wouldn't pay any bills they submit to you as they haven't fixed it. i would call the manufacturer and ask for tech support or service help, who is qualified in your area. check with a plumbing supply house in your area that sell your brand and ask them who is the best service company in town. if it is another oil company switch to them, too. i contract with our oil co. because of the service techs, not their oil price. i might spend a few pennies more, but the longest that i have been without heat was about 5 hours. good luck.

Answer 9

DEFINITELY call the manufacturer!! Sounds like something is definitely plugged up and the fail safe switch thingy, is tripping off to prevent an unsafe situation.....

Answer 10

call the manufacturer!!