Furnace will not start; inducer motor does not run; LED status light flashes once repeatedly.

Safety first: Turn off electrical power to the furnace at the service switch and shut off the gas supply before removing panels. If you ever smell strong gas, evacuate and contact the gas utility or fire department.

Steps to check:

• Verify thermostat call for heat: Set thermostat to HEAT and raise the setpoint 5–10°F above room temperature. Confirm the thermostat display shows a heating call.
• Check gas supply: Ensure the manual gas shutoff valve near the furnace is parallel to the gas pipe (open). Confirm other gas appliances in the home work.
• Inspect hot surface ignitor: Remove the burner access panel. Locate the hot surface ignitor (usually a ceramic element near the burners). Look for cracks, white spots, or breaks. If damaged, replace with the correct Maytag-compatible ignitor rated for your model.
• Clean flame sensor: Locate the flame sensor rod on the burner assembly. Remove the mounting screw, pull out the rod, and gently clean it with fine steel wool or a Scotch-Brite pad until shiny. Reinstall firmly.
• Reset power: Restore power and gas, then cycle the furnace. Watch through the sight glass: inducer should start, ignitor should glow, gas valve should click, and burners should light. If the ignitor never glows, suspect a bad ignitor or control board.

When to call a technician: If the ignitor tests open with a multimeter, if the gas valve never opens despite 24 VAC at its terminals, or if the unit repeatedly locks out after three ignition attempts, contact a qualified HVAC technician.