Amana Air Command 80 Gas Fired Furnace (4 blinks) troubleshooting
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From: Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator on 24 Jan 2008 01:02 Can you help me troubleshoot my Amana Air Command 80 gas-fired furnace? 1. Today it stopped heating the house; three red blinks were visible. The instructions say this means the "pressure switch is stuck open". 2. I could see the "top" (smaller" motor wasn't spinning) but the bottom (bigger) motor was spinning; so, I guessed, there was no vaccum to the pressure switch - hence - the pressure switch was stuck in the open (off) position. 3. To test, I removed the hose from the top (smaller) motor & sucked on it. 4. This self-induced vacuum caused the diaphram to move which caused the mechanical switch connected to the pressure valve to close (I could see the switch move when I sucked on it). 5. The flame ignighter heated up and the gas started burning. The three blinking red LED signal went out; I thought I "fixed" my furnace. I cycled the power a few times while I cleaned the filters and blew dust from around the wires. But ... 6. Then the Amana Air Command 80 gas-fired furnace stopped heating again; this time, four red blinks were visible! 7. Now the opposite ocurred; the "top" (smaller) motor was now spinning but the bottom (big) motor was not spinning. No air was circulating through the house. 8. Four blinks indicate an "open Limit Control (primary or auxilliary)". 8. If I cycle the power to the furnace, it works for about ten minutes and then the bottom (big) motor stops spinning and the four blinks start again. I have a few questions: a) How can I troubleshoot this Amana Air Command 80 gas-fired furnace? b) Is there a reset switch somewhere? c) Is there a maintenance guide on the web somewhere? Thanks, Donna
From: Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator on 24 Jan 2008 01:16 > 1. Today it stopped heating the house; three red blinks were visible. > The instructions say this means the "pressure switch is stuck open". Literally, the instructions say: <quote> Pressure Switch Stuck Open If, after the vent blower is energized, the pressure switch does not close, the congtrol will keep the blower on and wait for the switch to close. The diagnostic light code for this problem is three short flashes followed by a pause. The probable cause is either: a) disconnected hose to the pressure switch, b) faulty pressure switch or wiring, or c) restricted air intake or flue piping. <end quote> By pulling the vacuum hose off at the top (smaller) motor side, and sucking on it, I was able to see the pressure switch diaphragm moved and the electrical contact closed, causing the heating element to heat up and the gas to start. So, I could tell the hose was OK (a) and the pressure switch (b) seemed ok. That leaves (c). Can you advise me what it means to have "a restricted air intake or flue piping"? Where do I look and what do I do to unrestrict an air intake or flue piping? Thanks, Donna
From: Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator on 24 Jan 2008 01:21 > 8. Four blinks indicate an "open Limit Control (primary or auxilliary)". Despite the fact that three blinks and a non-spinning top (smaller) motor were the initial problem, I now have consistently four blinks and a non-spinning bottom (larger) motor in my Amana Air Command 80 gas-fired furnace. Reading the instructions it says: <quote> Open Limit Control (Primary or Auxiliary) If either limit control opens, the air circulation and vent blower will be turned on until the limit closes. The diagnostic light code for this is four short flashes followed by a pause. The probable cause is either: a) Low conditioned air flow due to dirty filter or resistance in duct work, b) Faulty limit, faulty blower, or blower speed set too low. <end quote> What does that mean? What is a "limit control"? Which motor is the "air circulation" (bottom big motor?) blower? Which motor is the "vent blower" (top small motor?)? I know the filter is clean because, while it was really dirty, I replaced it and I still have the problem. I have no idea how to test resistance in the duct work, but, I didn't change anything to change that, either before or after the problem ocurred. I would have no idea how to set the blower speed. What's a faulty "limit" and how would I test to ascertain the cause? Donna
From: Shawn Hirn on 24 Jan 2008 07:18 In article <p3Wlj.1439$Ej5.227(a)newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>, "Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator" <donna.ohl(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: > > Where do I look and what do I do to unrestrict an air intake or flue > piping? If I were you, I would call a professional repair person to deal with this problem. You are asking about a piece of equipment that could cause serious damage to your home and death and injury to you and your family if you mess with it and screw something up. Call a professional heating and repair person to fix the problem.
From: Stormin Mormon on 24 Jan 2008 08:52
Do you think the non spinning smaller top motor may be the problem? D'uh? You really desperately need a furnace repair tech. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Donna Ohl, Grady Volunteer Coordinator" <donna.ohl(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:98Wlj.1441$Ej5.509(a)newssvr29.news.prodigy.net... Despite the fact that three blinks and a non-spinning top (smaller) motor were the initial problem, I now have consistently four blinks and a non-spinning bottom (larger) motor in my Amana Air Command 80 gas-fired furnace. Donna |