Friday, January 20, 2012

Armstrong Air Ultra V Tech 91 Furnace No Heat/No Flame

Problem:
Furnace seems to be working, but the fan simply blows out cold air.  There's no heat coming out whatsoever.  Can't even turn off heat using the thermostat. 

Solution:
Find out that the filter is dirty and that the burner is inflaming.  Replace the filter, and reset.

The furnace has two panels that can be taken off by lifting straight up to expose the inside.  You should see the handles with the word "lift."  Take off the top panel.  You should see several parts inside.  If you follow the gas pipe in, you should see the gas control which has a switch "on" and "off."  Next to the on/off switch, you should see a light.  That light is a diagnostic indicator.  On the backside of the panel that you take off, you should see the diagram and the information for the diagnostic light.  In my case, it flashes 4 times "Limit or Rollout Switch Open."  Above the gas control, you should see a rectangular box with a little circular plastic, look-through opening.  This is where you should see the flame.  In my case, I don't even see a flame. 

I need to reset.  To do this, you have to turn off the power to the furnace.  You should find a switch next to the furnace.  It should be very obvious.  It's just like a normal light switch.  Switching it off will turn off the furnace.  You should notice that the furnace is not running anymore.  After that, switch the gas control (described earlier) to off also. 

With those done, if you look beyond the gas control through to the back, you should see a brown rectangular circuit board with two wires running to it, with an arrow running in between.  The board is held up with two screws, one on top and one on the bottom.  Use a screwdriver, unscrew those and slowly pull out the board.  On the back of that board, you should see a big wire connecting the two connectors and a little black button with a silver cap.  Tap that silver cap a couple of times.  Put that board back where it was.  Turn the gas control to "on."  Turn the the power switch on.  If you look through the tiny circular opening, you should see the flame.  If you do, congratulations.  The furnace works again.

Disclaimer:  This solves my problem.  If it doesn't work for you, I'm sorry, but it may be something else.  If you don't feel comfortable troubleshooting yourself, call a professional.  When you work with electricity, fire and gas, it is dangerous, so be VERY, VERY CAREFUL.

11 comments:

  1. I have the same model furnace and experienced the no flame / heat problem. I followed your instructions and got the furnace to work. It's a normal winter day in Michigan today, only 30 F which requires the furnace to work. Thanks for posting the reset instructions!

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  2. Very well written! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I knew that flashing light meant something like a bios post code ;) Just didnt see the diagnostic codes on the cover. Thanks from a fellow tech head

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  3. I don't normally leave comments, but....

    A sincere thanks for this detailed tip. This got me out of a pinch when a cold snap had temps in the teens (F) outside and indoor temps were dropping quickly overnight. Space heater in the bedroom seemed like a good enough idea, but the pipes were at risk. Woke up early, found this, and executed. On my way to work by 8am.

    Warm wife, happy wife. Happy wife, happy home. (not to mention no frozen pipes!)

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  4. I didn't see a light at all and no diagnostic codes either. But I took the board off, tapped the metal cylinder at the end – And now we have heat again! Thanks very much!

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  5. Words can't describe how thankful I am you posted this. I really didn't have the funds for a repair and your suggestion worked! Thank you so much!

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  6. Thanks for help us with the furnace heating issue. That article helped me a lot.

    Heating and Cooling Toronto

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  7. I tried that and its still putting out a 5 flash code

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  8. I wired up my ultra v tech 91 backwards and it popped the breaker now its wired the correct way and its putting out the 5 flash code and its a very very cold night please help ASAP. thank you

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  9. Thank you so much for the advice to try and the good write up. Worked like a charm, and the heat is back on.
    Just a question if you are still monitoring this page...what is the silver disk, and does this mean it's fixed or does it needs replaced?

    Thanks again

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  10. The facts given above for a faulty or malfunctioned furnace are absolutely right. A furnace needs maintenance with the time. Filters must be cleaned to get rid of any clogged air. Heating and Cooling Scarborough

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