I have a Payne PG9MAB furnace. I smell an 'electrical burning' smell which prompted me to check the furnace. I removed the front panel and see the red LED status light is solid red - should it be solid red or does this indicate a problem?
Optional Information: Make : Payne Model : PG9AB
Do you see any troubleshooting codes on the back of the furnace panels? You may have to remove both to check them.
troubleshooting codes? i have the furnace manual with a t-shooting guide.
It should tell you if the red light is normal or not.
Does the heater work?
ok so the t-shooting guide is in flow chart form.
first box: is LED status light on? --> YES
Then, is LED status light blinking rapidly w/out a pause? --> NO
Is LED status light blinking ON/OFF slowly w/ a combination of short and long flashes? --> NO
then a very long explanation about recalling a status code by removing and reconnecting a red wire from limit switch
Is the thermostat set to call for heat?
not sure if i can still recall because i turned the power switch to the furnace off already before i found the LED status light
right now, yes but light is on whether heating or in standby
Your troubleshooting guide is pretty vague, but I am pretty sure that if the furnace is calling for heat, it should have a slow blink LED. Does the heat work?
my t-shooting guide can be found at: http://www.docs.hvacpartners.com/idc/groups/public/documents/techlit/sg-pg9mab-03.pdf
last few pages
heat is working, i can see the flame through the sight glass
Does it fulfill the thermostat temp. set point?
yes it is maintaining
i changed furnace filters today about 12 hrs ago
Then your system is normal. The steady Red LED is normal.
You have no worries.
any idea about why the electrical burning smell coming through the vents?
Do you still smell that smell?
i think it has dissipated now but kind of hard to tell
how were you able to find that the steady red LED is normal?
Because if there were a problem, the first thing the control board would do is shut off the gas valve and there would be no flame.
Anytime it allows the gas valve to remain open, there is no problem.
what if control board is bad?
If the control board was bad, it would not work properly.
As long as everything is coming on when it should and going off when it should, the control board is good.
looking at potential problems further down the t-shooting flow chart - may lead to 'replace furnace control' or 'check room t-stat or interconnecting cable'...etc.
none of that seems probable to you?
I would advise you to check the wires at the control board to make sure they are snug and not arcing on a call for heat.
No. none of the potential problems on the troubleshooting chart seem probable at this time.
where is the control board?
is it accessible w/ front panel removed or do i have to remove another panel?
Usually it is behind the bottom panel.
The control board is where the LED light is.
if i remove the bottom panel will there be a switch that cuts power to the furnace?
The control board is where the Red LED troubleshooting light is located.
earlier you said "if the furnace is calling for heat, it should have a slow blink LED"....now you think a solid LED is normal?
It varies with each system.
Some systems a solid LED is normal, some a steady slow flash is normal, some a steady fast flash is normal, etc..., it varies.
It usually is listed in the troubleshooting Guide.
Do you still smell the odor?
I don't smell the odor any longer
all connections on the control board look snug
I don't think you have a problem. Observe your system to make sure it is functioning or if you smell the odor again.
ok well i certainly appreciate your help
It is not unusual to smell a burnt odor that comes from the combustion process upon start-up.
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thanks
Merry Christmas!!
Experience: Universally Certified HVACR Technician