This test procedure consists of three tests. The first test should be the ignitor spark test. The second test is a secondary coil resistance test. The third test consists of an input current test. The following is a step by step procedure to perform these tests. It is important that all three of these tests be performed.

41000 Ignitor Spark Test
 

  • Turn off the power to the burner/appliance.
  • Disconnect the ignitor wires in the burner junction box.
  • Release the ignitor hold down screws or clips.
  • Swing the ignitor plate fully open.
  • Bend the copper ignitor clips until the clip ends are from 5/8” to ¾” apart (see figure 1).
  • Connect a test power cord with a switch to the ignitor leads in the burner junction box.
  • Turn on the test power cord switch to power the ignitor.
  • Check for spark across the ignitor clip ends (see Figure 1).
  • If spark occurs, proceed the secondary coil test below.
  • If spark does not jump the gap, or if the spark jumps intermittently, ignitor is defective and should be replaced.
  • Turn off power to the ignitor.

41000 Secondary Coil Resistance Test
 

  • Turn off the power to the burner/appliance.
  • Release the ignitor plate hold down screws or clips.
  • Swing the ignitor plate fully open.
  • Use an ohmmeter to check the resistance from electrode to ground for each of the electrodes (Figure 1 and 2).
  • The secondary coils are good if the difference between the two readings is less than 10%.
  • If the difference in the electrode-to-ground resistance is more than 10%, the secondary coil may be failing. Replace the ignitor.
  • If the difference between electrode-to-ground is within 10%, proceed with the input current test.

41000 Input Current Test 

  • Turn off the power to the burner/appliance.
  • Disconnect the ignitor wires in the burner junction box.
  • Release the ignitor hold down screws or clips.
  • Swing the ignitor plate fully open.
  • Bend the copper ignitor clips or springs until the clip ends are ½” apart.
  • Set a multimeter to read AC milliamps.
  • Using a test power cord with a switch, wire the ignitor blue lead to one of the multimeter leads. Wire the other lead of the multimeter to the hot side of the test cord. Wire the white ignitor wire to the neutral side of the test cord. (Figure 4)
  • Insure the multimeter is set for AC milliamps and turn on the test power cord switch to power the ignitor. If there is no spark, replace the ignitor.
  • Monitor the input current with the multimeter set on AC milliamps for 5 minutes.
  • If at any time the reading drops below 300 milliamps AC, the ignitor should be replaced.
  • Turn off the power to the ignitor.
  • Remove the power test cord.
  • Readjust ignitor clip spacing (1 inch ± 1/8 inch).
  • Wire the ignitor in its original condition (per burner wiring diagram).
  • Replace all components to normal condition.