Ideal Short Cycling on Ignition / Flame Loss

Furnace starts then shuts off after a few seconds; repeated short attempts to ignite

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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.

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Possible Causes

Dirty flame sensor, poor burner grounding, low gas pressure, partially blocked burner on Ideal burner rack

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Turn off power and gas before accessing the burner compartment. Do not repeatedly reset a furnace that fails to stay lit.

Steps:

  • Clean flame sensor: Remove and gently clean the flame sensor rod with fine emery cloth until shiny, then reinstall.
  • Check burner area: Visually inspect burners for rust, debris, or misalignment. Do not disassemble gas components unless qualified.
  • Observe flame: After reassembly, restore power and gas and watch through the sight glass. If the flame appears weak or unstable, call a technician to check gas pressure and burner condition.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Flame Sensor
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