EGC-1 Problem after upgrade. - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| ajaybarve
 |  "EGC-1 Problem after upgrade."
, posted Thu 8 Jan 16:12  
I just had my control board on a Lenox furnace upgraded to the EGC-1. After the upgrade I am seeing a similar problem to
http://www.hvacmechanic.com/forums/resservice/messages/10364.htm
Basically after power-on on thermostat, the heater comes on. Temperature reaches the desired setting, heater goes off. Room temp drops, heater shows on, but blower is not on, Diagnostic code shows alternate flashing lights (watchguard mode). I turn the thermostat off and on, and this time the system really comes on (flames light and blower on). And this cycles repeats.
One additional kink, sometimes the heater will go off before the desired temp is reached (maybe 15-20 mins after being on). Diagnostic code shows alternate flashing (watchguard mode).
Do I have a bad board, I dont think its the igniter because turning it off and on lights the burners each and every time, Also why would the system stop when it desired temp is not reached and then not come on even though the system shows its on.
Can someone please assist, if I have been sold a bad board I want to have it replaced before my labor warranty runs out which is in the next few days.
Thanks,
Ajay Barve
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Replies:
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| ductboy56
| "Re(1):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Sat 18 Oct 08:08
flame sensor is bad
ductboy56
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| vinman
| "Re(1):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Wed 8 Mar 14:49
Hi Ajay,
Interestingly enough i am having a problem with my Lennox as well. In previous visits from the guys that installed my furnace, they stated that it was a problem with the flame sensor. They never replace it they merely clean it. I'm fed up with having to call them every 8 months.
The sysmtoms are that the furnace sounds like it wants to start up but never does fire up. fter resetting the furnace, I can sometimes get it up for a short period of time. (days)
Was this the same issue with yours?
What does the flame sensor look like and where is it located?
Thanks,
Vince
Vince
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| | bbilins
| "Re(2):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Mon 17 Dec 12:24
Thank you for this information. Checked out the manual for all codes and problems that could lead up to watchguard initiating. Watchguard was initiating at least once a day, everyday since the cold weather started over a month ago. Started by removing the flame sensor and just rubbing off the filth with my fingers. Furnace has been running like a champ for a week. THANK YOU!!!
DIY at it's best
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| | ajaybarve
| "Re(2):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Wed 8 Mar 16:45
OK, its been a while but the problem was the exhaust sensor. There is an exhaust fan with a plastic tube connected to a pressure switch. The fan creates a pressure that activates the switch to turn in. Its like a safety switch so that if the exhaust fan dies, the system will not turn on to avoid CO poisioning. Apparently there was a lot of crud buildup in the heat exchanger that was causing that tiny air port to get blocked. The rapair guys were trying to screw me by telling I had to have a new heat exchanger. I cleaned it out my self and started working fine after that. Lasted one year, when the compressor for the AC grounded so ended up replacing the whole unit. Went with a trane this time around.
Ajay.
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| xenos
Webmaster 
| "Re(1):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Thu 8 Jan 18:12
Clean the flame sensor. It’s a common problem.
Xenos.
The best way to escape a problem is to solve it.
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| | Kerreth
| "Re(2):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Thu 26 Feb 00:48
Thank you so much for this simple little tid-bit of information!!! Let explain to you how you're two sentence response saved my mom a lot of money.
My mother's furnace quit working so she called a repairman to come over yesterday and I just happened to be here because she couldn't be available. She left me a blank check and told them that I could authorize any repairs. The guy showed up and when he saw that it was a Lennox, he told me that he used to be a salesman for the largest Lennox sellers in the area. He opened it up, showed me that the electronic air filter needed cleaned and that was part of the problem and told me how to clean it. Then he turned the furnace off and on a few times, and prodded it with a multimeter and about a half hour later he said it needed a new "computer". When I looked at the furnace I didn't see any "computers", just a simple circuit board with basic components labelled EGC-1. I asked him how he knew that it was the computer and he started mumbling off something about 400 volts and the flame sensor and yada yada but he didn't really answer my question. I didn't tell him this but I have a pretty strong electronics background and I could tell he was just trying to talk over my head and he thought by saying 400 volts, that would shut me up. He said Lennox's are great furnaces but the problem with them is that their parts are proprietary and expensive. He said he needed to go out to his van and call on the prices for parts so he could get a quote. When he came back, he was very reluctant to show me the quote and wanted my mom's work number. I asked him how much the quote was got a glimpse of the quote sheet. He said that the "computer" would cost $400 and "they" also suggested replacing the flame sensor which was an additional $180 plus labor for a total of over $660. I told him my mom couldn't afford that right now but I gave him the number anyway and sent him on his way.
So today I was thinking, if I could find those parts for cheaper than he said they cost, I could do the repairs myself. I typed "EGC-1" into Google and stumbled upon this message thread. It took me about about an hour or so of fumbling around with improper tools but eventually I got the flame sensors out and PM'ed them and reinstalled everything. (I might add that I found these sensors on the internet for $40-$90... not $180!) I fired the sucker up it worked like a charm and now the house is nice a cozy.
The question I have now is, was the repair guy trying to rip us off? If used to sell Lennox and now he repairs them, shouldn't he know that the flame sensors are prone to low flame current problems and that a simple PM will cure the problem? I even told my mom yesterday before I tried to fix it myself that I felt like the guy was trying to rip her off and that $660 seemed pretty crazy. So should I call the BBB or his supervisor and report this or just let it go and hope the next guy that he bills $600 is really getting what he needs?
Anyway, thanks again for the help. Ain't the internet great?!
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| | melaman
| "Re(3):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Mon 1 Mar 23:21
I'm glad we could be of service to you. We would like to use your comments on our feedback page. http://www.hvacmechanic.com/feedback.htm
Would you mind sending us what city & state you are from. You can post your reply or send it to melaman@heatingandairconditioninghelp.com
Thank you for your help
Melaman
HVAC Mechanic.com
Pareto's Law
If a group of tasks are arranged in order of their priority 80% of the value come from the top 20% of the list.
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| | BlackArcher
| "Re(4):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Thu 3 Jan 15:12
Kerreth...
Your story is my story....Except this is for my house...
it is 19 degrees same symtoms
REpair man wants 400.00 for circuit board
I can DIY...
Google..EGC-1
Shazaamm....
I am here Yes the internet is great....
So now I discovered I shoud clean the Flame Sensor....before I decide to spend the big bucks...
I have only on question.....What does this sensor look like...
DIY
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| | Xenos
Webmaster
| "Re(3):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Thu 26 Feb 06:52
I guess we will know the answer after the furnace has ran for a couple days. you do have to wonder though. I
Xenos.
The best way to escape a problem is to solve it.
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| | northernfitter
| "Re(5):EGC-1 Problem after upgrade." , posted Wed 17 Oct 21:29
Is this the mid efficiency Lennox 5+ years old? If it is its common to see the ventor assembly slow down after about 10 minutes of operation. When it gets down to about the minimum pressure to keep open the pressure switch it causes the switch to chatter and the unit to lock out. If the techs have not seen this before they wont know to look for it. Its fairly easy to diagnose with a manometer which is what we use to check pressures. I have found this problem numerous times sometimes after 4 or 5 techs have been there.
12years as a service tech in Ottawa and the valley.
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