Boiler displays IGN or Ignition Failure; burner does not light and unit locks out after several tries.
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Ignition faults involve gas. Turn off power and close the gas shutoff valve before working on the burner or gas valve. If you smell gas, do not attempt repairs—leave the area and call your gas supplier.
- Verify gas supply: Confirm the manual gas shutoff valve to the Laars boiler is fully open. Check if other gas appliances (stove, water heater) are working. If none work, contact the gas utility.
- Inspect the igniter: Remove the burner access panel. Locate the hot surface igniter or spark electrode assembly. Look for cracks, heavy white deposits, or broken ceramic. A cracked or open-circuit igniter must be replaced with the correct Laars-specified part.
- Check igniter wiring: Ensure the igniter harness is firmly connected to the control board and not damaged or burned.
- Observe ignition sequence: With panels reinstalled and gas on, restore power and call for heat. Through the sight glass, verify if you see a spark or glowing igniter before gas should flow. If there is no spark/glow, the igniter or control board is suspect. If there is spark/glow but no flame, the gas valve or gas supply may be at fault.
- Reset lockout: Many Laars controls require pressing the reset button or cycling power after an IGN lockout. Do not reset more than a couple of times without correcting the cause.
When to call a professional: Replacement of gas valves, adjustment of ignition electrodes, and gas pressure checks must be done by a licensed technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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