22
SYMPTOM
PROBABLE CAUSE
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Thin black coating (soot)
forms on the viewing
glass, logs, or firebox
1)
Improper log or
ember placement
2)
Improper air shutter
setting
3)
Not enough combus-
tion air
4) Incorrect gas pres-
sure
1)
See
Log Set Installation on Pages 10 and 11
. If there is soot in one specific location,
the rockwool below this location needs to be adjusted. This can be done by pulling em-
bers forward slightly. If the flames have soot tails, the shutter will need to be opened.
2)
If sooting continues open air shutter (see
Air Shutter Adjustment on Page 13
).
3)
Check for debris obstructing air flow in valve compartment under insert or in front of
lower venting.
4) Have gas supplier check for correct gas pressure (7" W.C. natural gas: 11" W.C. pro-
pane gas).
Humming or whistling
coming from insert.
1)
Normal operating
noise
2)
Obstructed orifice
opening
3)
Defective regulator
1)
See
Quiet Operation on Page 17
. The noise may be reduced by slightly turning down
the flame. Turning the flame down will reduce the heat output of the insert.
2)
If noise is excessive or is “whistling” have your gas supplier check the regulator and
orifices and replace if necessary.
3)
If noise is excessive or is “whistling” have your gas supplier check the regulator and
orifices and replace if necessary.
A change in flame appear-
ance or burner operation.
1)
A change in gas
pressure
2)
Improper ember
placement
1)
Have your gas supplier check for correct gas pressure (7" W.C. / po. C.E. [1.74 kPa]
natural gas; 11" W.C. / po. C.E. [2.74 kPa] LP gas).
NOTE: NEVER BLOCK OR OBSTRUCT
AIR INTAKE OR OUTLET VENTS.
2)
See
Log Set Installation Instructions.
Spark igniter will not light
pilot after repeated tries.
1)
No gas supplied to
unit or air in line
2)
Defective igniter (no
spark at electrode)
3)
Defective or mis-
aligned electrode at pilot
(spark at electrode)
1)
Check gas supply. To purge, hold in gas cock on valve for 1-2 minutes and try again.
2)
Check for spark at electrode and pilot, if no spark and electrode wire is properly con-
nected, replace igniter and igniter wire.
3)
Using a match, light pilot. If pilot lights, turn off pilot and trigger the igniter again.
If pilot lights, an intermittent gas/air supply may be the problem, if longer purge will
not light - check gap between electrode and pilot - should be 1/8 inch (3 mm) to have a
strong spark. If OK, replace pilot.
Pilot will not stay lit after
carefully following lighting
instructions.
1)
Vent Safety Snap
Switch shut down.
2)
Improper Flame
impingement
3)
Low gas inlet pres-
sure
4)
Defective thermopile
5)
Bad connection
6)
Defective automatic
valve operator
1)
Snap switch activated, have venting system inspected for blockage, down draft or bad
snap switch.
2)
Check pilot flame adjustment (see "Maintenance" section).
3)
Check inlet pressure and adjust pilot if necessary.
4)
Be sure wire connections from thermopile are tight at gas valve terminals and at vent
safety snap switch.
5a)
Either rocker switch or thermostat wires may be grounded. Remove wires from valve
terminals. If pilot stays lit, trace switch wiring for a ground. May be grounded to insert or
gas supply.
5b)
Check open circuit millivolt output of thermopile. Reading should be greater than
325mV. Also check thermopile wire for kinks that can cause loss of mV. Replace faulty
thermopile if wire is okay and reading is less than 325mV.
6)
Turn valve knob to “ON” and thermostat (if installed) to 90º. Millivolt meter should read
greater than 100 mV. If reading is OK and burner does not turn on, replace gas valve
(qualified service technician only).
Pilot burning, but no
flame on main burner with
valve knob “ON”, rocker
switch and thermostat
“ON”.
1)
Pilot has gone out
2)
Rocker switch,
thermostat, or wires
defective
3)
Thermopile may not
be generating sufficient
millivolts
4) Plugged burner
orifice.
1)
See
Lighting Instructions.
2)
Disconnect rocker switch and thermostat wires at terminals 1 and 3 on valve. Jumper
across from 1 to 3 with pilot lit. If burner comes on either rocker switch, thermostat, or
wiring is not functioning. If not, jumper wires across switch wires at gas valve. If burner
comes on, wires are faulty or connections are bad.
3)
Check thermopile with millivolt meter (see
Maintenance and Servicing
), recheck
symptom #2.
4) Check burner for stoppage and remove.
TROUBLESHOOTING
NOTE: When troubleshooting the gas control system, be sure the external gas shut off valve, located at the gas supply inlet is in
the “ON” position.
IMPORTANT: Call your gas supplier or plumber for additional help with any gas control problem. Valve system troubleshooting
should only be accomplished by a qualified service technician.
Summary of Contents for FIRESTAR MERIT GC3
Page 27: ...27 NOTES...
