How To Clean a Flame Sensor - Furnace Troubleshooting

Common replacement flame sensors:

Make sure you get the exact replacement for the part you need.

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[User]

Ive done this two winters in a row when my heating system starts acting up (not holding correct temp, not kicking on etc.) it works great !!! I used the green side of a new dry sponge. Came across you video after doing this but still appreciate people like you who contribute to helping and showing others. Thanks

[deriejohns]

I am a single mom on a strict budget, even more thanks to covid. Thank you! I fixed my furnace when I had zero cash to pay someone to do it!

[tj]

Ben...dude! Seriously, THANK YOU!
This is my exact furnace! Of course, temps drop super low and the furnace starts blowing cold air and then cuts off.
YOUR video not only saved me money...but it saved the day!
The furnace is on and kicking out lovely hot air! 👍🏾

[danielamadio]

Burner would not stay on. I did what you said cleaned it and now it works GREAT! You saved me maybe $200 by not having to call a repairman to come over to fix it. Thanks!!!!

[andrewziem]

On Thanksgiving morning, my furnace failed. I called Jim Beardin at All American HVAC (Colorado Springs), and to avoid the cost of a holiday service call, he talked me through diagnosis and suggested this might be the problem. This video made it easy to find the sensor, and I cleaned it with an emery board. It works! Thank you both!

[vegasscotts]

Thanks for the clear video! Going to try this; just a head's up for people, another helpful video I watched advised not to touch the metal part to avoid getting finger oils on it. Thanks again!

[firstnamelastname]

A 2 year old Amana furnace was trying to light, but apparently couldn't get the burners going. I searched the issue and you're video was the top result. I did as you instructed (it looked a little different, but it was basically a little rod in the path of one of the burners) using some steel wool, and it lit immediately. You just saved me a service call. Thank you.

[thomasrobinson]

Thank you - I woke this morning to no heat. Checked the furnace and found it short cycling consistently. Of course it didn't help that I haven't changed my filter since April 2020... I changed that and then tried cleaning the sensor you showed... And I'm warm once again. Thank you once again... Like Dedrie, I'm on a strict budget and would not have liked having the unit replaced.

[schneiwgable]

Bitter cold Saturday morning in Iowa. No heat. Watched your video and fixed it myself. You are the bomb. Thanks!!!

[carolynschuler]

I looked at several videos, and was left frustrated & confused. Your video was clear and concise. And I love dogs! Super thanks.

[arnosiraki]

Followed through on my Lennox furnace. I used a wire brush and some sand paper to boot. Worked! No more error code! Thanks a bunch!

[JonBinCopley]

Based on my furnaces behavior I had a feeling it might be the flame sensor. After watching your video I went to task on the flame sensor following your directions. It fired right up. I'm a novice but learning. Very easy fix. Thank you Sir! You saved me a call and cash!

[MrArtist]

God bless you man!! This worked. The temps were dropping and my wife is ill and you really helped us man! Thank you :) I'm praying God blesses you tremendously my friend!

[suzannelaughlin]

I was going to call my brother but since he’s at work I checked out your video instead! Thanks!

[justinbecker]

This is a big part of what YouTube is for... people helping people. This is not new to me but I did just clean one of my two gas furnace flame sensors this morning after an ignition lockout. This should be part of everyone's annual preventative maintenance regimen for their units. It also isn't a bad idea to purchase a spare to have on hand before supply chains worsen further. Most can be had for $10 or less online. And to everyone out there...change your filters more often!!!

[justinebullen]

Thank you!! A very clear and concise video, I'm not the handiest person ever but this video allowed me to fix my furnace myself. So appreciative for you to take the time to make this video.

[karltonhoskins]

Thanks Benjamin. Worked like a charm. Used a dollar bill to clean the sensor.

[electricjim]

This furnace layout is almost identical to my comfort-aire furnace and the flame sensor is the same kind and same place, I've bookmark this video and will check it every year when I tune up my furnace. Super video!!!

[Patrice]

Thank you so much for the video. I had this issue last year with the flame sensor. I used a dollar bill to clean the sensor and it worked just fine afterwards. Did the same thing this year, but to no avail. This time I used a green scrub it and my furnace is heating to temperature again. I was about to call a repairman.

[gabbyjohnson]

We had an appointment scheduled to get serviced, was not looking forward to it especially with Christmas being around the corner /: tried this and it’s been working great ever since, thank you so much for the helpful tip !!!