coleman furnaces troubleshooting

Coleman – best known for their strong build and highly efficient devices is one of the most popular choices in Canada for homeowners. Whether it is a furnace, air conditioner, or any other device – they’re at the forefront.

However, these systems, considering they’re electronic devices – may get damaged over time and call for a quick troubleshooting or a detailed repair. In this article, we’re helping you troubleshoot your furnace and understand when there is a need to call an HVAC technician.

Troubleshooting Steps

Coleman FurnaceBefore attempting any fixes, ensure all power to your Coleman furnace is completely disconnected. This is a crucial safety step to prevent any accidents or damage to your system.

The thermostat is often the first place to look when your furnace is not heating properly.

  • Settings Verification: Confirm the thermostat is set to "heat" and the temperature is set at least 5 degrees above the ambient room temperature to trigger the heating.

  • Wiring Check: Loose or disconnected wires can impair thermostat function. Secure any loose connections you may find.

  • Battery Replacement: If your thermostat operates on batteries, installing fresh ones may resolve inconsistency issues.

  • Calibration: Older thermostats might require recalibration or need to be replaced if they no longer respond accurately to temperature changes.

Electrical problems can prevent your furnace from operating.

  • Power Check: Make sure the main switch for your Coleman furnace is turned on.

  • Circuit Breaker: Ensure the dedicated furnace circuit breaker is in the ON position. Reset once if tripped, but seek a professional if it trips repeatedly.

  • Service Switch: This switch near the unit should be on; if it's not, this could be the reason your furnace isn’t operating.

  • Fuse Replacement: Replace any blown fuses in your furnace’s fuse box with the correct size and rating.

Adequate airflow is crucial for furnace efficiency and safety.

  • Filter Change: Replace the air filter if it's clogged to restore proper airflow.

  • Duct Inspection: Make sure all vents and returns are free from blockages.

  • Blower Maintenance: Check the blower motor and fan for dirt or debris. A malfunctioning blower motor may require professional servicing.

If your furnace fails to start or stops shortly after starting, the ignition or flame sensor could be the issue.

  • Ignitor Examination: Inspect the ignitor for visible damage and test with a multimeter for continuity. Replace if defective.

  • Flame Sensor Cleaning: Detach the flame sensor and gently clean it for a few seconds to remove residue that might prevent flame detection.

  • Gas Valve Check: Ensure the gas valve operates correctly to facilitate ignition in your Coleman furnace. A bad gas valve could cause many issues.

The blower motor is essential for circulating warm air throughout your home.

  • Motor Testing: Verify that the blower motor receives power. Replace the motor if it doesn't run despite having power.

  • Capacitor Inspection: The start capacitor aids in motor startup. Replace if defective.

  • Belt Inspection: For belt-driven systems, check the belt for wear and replace if needed.

Frequent cycling or odd furnace behavior might indicate problems with the control board or thermostat.

  • Board Inspection: Look for signs of damage or burning on the control board. Secure any loose connections and look for signs of corrosion.

  • Relay Checks: Evaluate the relays and wiring associated with the control board. Replace faulty relays to resolve electrical issues.

  • Thermostat Testing: Confirming the functionality of a thermostat calls for multimeter expertise. Consider replacing it if it fails the multimeter tests.

Efficient handling of condensation is vital for high-efficiency furnaces.

  • Clear Drain Lines: Inspect and clear any blockages in the condensate drain line.

  • Pan Inspection: Check the condensate pan for overflow or damage, replacing if necessary.

  • Pump Functionality: If equipped with a condensate pump, ensure it is not clogged and is functioning properly.

Understanding Coleman Furnace Error Codes

It is important to know the error codes for your Coleman furnace to fix problems quickly. Here are a few of the most common Coleman furnace error codes, what they mean, and how to fix them:

1. Slow Green Flash

  • Explanation: The system is functioning without any issues.

  • Required Action: No action is necessary as this indicates everything is operating as it should.

2. Slow Amber Flash

  • Explanation: The furnace is in heating mode and responding to the thermostat’s heat request.

  • Required Action: No intervention is needed, the furnace is performing correctly.

3. Steady Red

  • Explanation: Indicates a malfunction in the control system.

  • Required Action: Investigate the control box for faults. This could involve checking for any signs of damage or errors in the control board.

4. Fast Red Flash

  • Explanation: A twinning error has occurred due to improper 24V phasing.

  • Required Action: Review the wiring setup between twinned systems to ensure that there is no improper installation and phasing. Incorrect wiring can prevent normal operations.

5. Fast Amber Flash

  • Explanation: The flame sensor detects insufficient current.

  • Required Action: Clean the flame sensor thoroughly to ensure it can detect the flame properly. Verify the unit is receiving the correct gas flow and that the burner is operating correctly.

6. One Red Flash

  • Explanation: A flame is detected even though the gas valve is closed.

  • Required Action: This is a serious safety issue. Inspect the gas valve for leaks or delayed closing and ensure it seals properly when the furnace is off.

7. Two Red Flashes

  • Explanation: The pressure switch is stuck in a closed position.

  • Required Action: This suggests a potential blockage or a faulty switch. Verify the venting for blockages and check the switch’s functionality.

8. Three Red Flashes

  • Explanation: The pressure switch remains open and fails to close.

  • Required Action: Check for any obstructions in the vent pipe, inspect the inducer for proper function, or consider replacing the pressure switch if it appears damaged.

9. Four Red Flashes

  • Explanation: The high-limit switch has been triggered and remains open.

  • Required Action: This typically happens due to overheating. Check for a clogged air filter, improper blower speed, or issues with the ductwork that might be causing excessive heat.
coleman furnace_repair

Five Red Flashes

  • What it means: The furnace is detecting too much heat outside the burners.

  • What you should do: Make sure everything is functioning properly, especially the inducer motor. This could be a sign of a serious issue.

Six Red Flashes

  • What it means: The furnace tried too many times to work but couldn’t.

  • What you should do: The furnace will try to reset itself. In the meantime, check the ventilation and make sure the pressure switches are working.

Seven Red Flashes

  • What it means: The furnace can’t light the flame properly.

  • What you should do: Look at the gas supply, flame sensor, ignitor, and burners. Dirt or malfunction in any of these can cause the problem.

Eight Red Flashes

  • What it means: The furnace has been turned on and off too much.

  • What you should do: Ensure the power supply is stable and check the internal components like the gas valve and flame sensor for issues.

Nine Red Flashes

  • What it means: There’s an electrical grounding or wiring problem.

  • What you should do: This needs attention to prevent electrical hazards. Checking the connections and ensuring everything is properly grounded is crucial.

Ten Red Flashes

  • What it means: Gas is flowing when it shouldn’t be.

  • What you should do: Immediately check the gas valve and its connections. This is a safety issue and needs to be addressed quickly to prevent leaks.

Error Code 93: General Control Fault

  • Explanation: A general fault within the control board.

  • Action Needed: Typically, this requires a replacement of the control board by a certified professional.

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Furnace Troubleshooting Guides

Our comprehensive troubleshooting guide offers step-by-step solutions to common issues. From heating failures to airflow problems, we've got you covered."

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Maintenance Recommendations to reduce the chances of furnace issues

Maintenance is very important if you want your Coleman furnace to work well, last as long as possible, and not have any problems. Regular repair can help keep your home warm and your energy costs low by preventing breakdowns in the winter and making the most of the system’s ability to do its job. Follow these tips to keep your Coleman furnace in great shape:

Change Filters Regularly

To keep your furnace in good shape, one of the easiest and most important things you can do is to change the air filters often. Filters stop airflow when they get dirty or clogged. This makes the heater work harder and raises the risk of damage and wear.

At the very least, every three months, you should check your filters and change them once a month. For the best air quality and heater performance, homes with pets or a lot of dust may need to change their filters more often.

Schedule Yearly Professional Service

Your heater should be checked and serviced by a professional at least once a year. A licensed HVAC professional should clean the burners, look for cracks in the heat exchanger, measure how efficiently the furnace works, and make sure all of the electrical parts are working properly as part of a full checkup. This service must be done once a year to keep problems from getting worse.

Clear Space Around the Furnace

You should keep the area around the furnace clean and free of trash and things that are stored there. By letting air move freely, this lowers the risk of fires. A clear area also makes it easy to do any upkeep or repairs that need to be done.

Test Safety Features

Regular tests should be done on high-limit settings, pressure switches, and other safety features. These features are meant to keep your home safe by turning off the heater if they sense that something dangerous is happening.

Check the Venting System

After bad weather or at least once a month, make sure that the venting system of your heater is free of any debris, snow, or ice. If vents are blocked, carbon monoxide and other dangerous exhaust fumes can build up inside.

Calling a Professional & how Comfort Union can help

When problems with your furnace can’t be fixed by easy troubleshooting, you need to call in professionals. If you notice any strange smells, like gas, or if your system isn’t heating your home properly, it’s time to call a professional. And here is where Comfort Union really shines.

Comfort Union is an HVAC specialist that can help with any problem you’re having with your HVAC system, including models from Coleman and other well-known brands and all systems like air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, and more. When you contact Comfort Union, our trained specialists will use cutting-edge diagnostic tools to zero in on the source of the problem, ensure everything is installed correctly, and implement a solution that will last.

We stand ahead of other HVAC companies in your area due to our unwavering dedication to ensuring customer happiness. Our top priority is providing efficient service so that you can get back to enjoying your property as soon as possible.

Not only does Comfort Union fix HVAC systems, but we also provide maintenance plans to keep your systems running smoothly and efficiently for years to come. When you choose Comfort Union, you’re getting a dependable partner who cares about keeping your home’s heating system safe and efficient.

With our experience, you can rest assured that your home will be protected from the cold with the least inconvenience and optimum comfort.

Want to know more? Contact us today or feel free to browse our website to learn more!

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