Common issues with Goodman furnaces

The Most Common Issues with Goodman Furnaces and How to Fix Them

Goodman furnaces are among the most recognized and respected forced-air heating systems. Its reputation was built on a foundation of quality core product development, manufacturing excellence, and engineering expertise. Keeping that reputation alive means continuous improvement through product innovation and the introduction of new features reflecting advances in technology.

Many components make up a home’s HVAC system, including boilers, heat pumps, humidifiers, thermostats, and furnaces. Both gas furnaces that operate on natural gas and electric or oil-burning forced-air furnaces are commonly found in homes today. The most common type of furnace is the gas-powered, forced-air model, which offers several advantages over older models. 

If you’re considering upgrading the furnace in your home from an older version to a newer model with more efficiency, you should know about some of the most common issues with Goodman furnaces.

Goodman Furnace

The Goodman furnace is an excellent furnace for your home. It is very efficient and will keep your home warm and comfortable. Their furnace is also very quiet and will not disturb your family or neighbors. It is also very safe and will not pose any danger to your family or home with proper maintenance.

With over 30 types of gas boilers available, Goodman furnaces are available with a wide scope of functions, and you will undoubtedly be able to find one that suits your house. Goodman furnaces all have respectable to excellent AFUE ratings, and comparable models from other brands sell for a couple of hundred dollars more, so they are great value. They provide solid longevity as long as you register your system within 60 days. 

While Goodman furnaces are quiet by default, you can also find entry-level models. A GMVC80 variable-speed motor is specifically efficient at keeping the noise down. The GMV range includes an ECM blower motor that is multi-speed, which significantly enhances air conditioning efficiency. The GMV range includes a programmed auto-comfort mode to dehumidify rapidly and effectively.

Goodman At a Glance

With over 40 years of experience, the Goodman Manufacturing Company has become one of the most significant home heating and comfort systems providers. This Goodman furnace repair manual will help you diagnose any problems your own Goodman furnace might encounter. With the proper internal workings, your whole furnace system will be able to provide long-term comfort. In addition to replacing your air filter, you may keep your Goodman furnace working properly by replacing it regularly.

The Easiest Fix For All Goodman Furnace Problems

If you have a Goodman furnace, there’s an easy fix for all your furnace problems. All you need to do is contact a Goodman furnace repair company, and they’ll take care of everything for you. They’ll come to your home to do the job, diagnose the problem, and provide you with a quote for the repairs. Goodman furnace repair companies are experienced and knowledgeable about all aspects of furnaces, so you can rest assured that they will fix your furnace quickly and efficiently. And you may also try troubleshooting the following issues: 

Power Supply Issues

A furnace that won’t light may have simply been turned off. It may be due to a faulty power control board, a tripped circuit breaker or an accidentally switched off power switch. Before you start troubleshooting, make sure you switch on the furnace. Look at the circuit breaker box to see if it is tripped. A qualified HVAC technician or electrician may test the power control board to determine if it is faulty.

Poor Air Flow

If you’re not getting enough heat from your Goodman furnace, blockage in airflow may be to blame. Other issues are the chances that there is dirt in filters, dust, and closed registers can restrict airflow and reduce heating efficiency. So take a look around your home and make sure all your vents are open and unobstructed. Then check your air filter and replace it if it’s dirty. Finally, open any closed registers to help improve airflow and boost heating performance.

Your Goodman furnace draws fresh air from your home and sends it out through the exterior vents. You will not be able to use the burner unless you provide adequate airflow. If you confine your furnace to a space with poor airflow, it will not function properly, blocked air intake vents, clogged air ducts, closed dampers in the air ducts, clogged air ducts, insufficient return air vents, and air duct leaks can all hamper airflow. A dirty air filter or air duct clogs may also cause problems.

When a Goodman furnace fails to provide sufficient airflow, it may send either cold air or no air to your home, resulting in overheating and tripped rollout switches. The cause of poor airflow may be determined based on the symptoms exhibited by a furnace and you should use one of the following troubleshooting techniques: 

  • Suppose the air filter is dirty. If the air filter is dirty, the furnace will work harder to circulate air. It will cause the furnace to use more energy and increase your utility bills. You should check your air filter monthly and clean or replace it.
  • Suppose there is a broken handler. If the gas furnace has a broken handler, it will not be able to function correctly. It could lead to the furnace leaking gas, which could be dangerous. If you notice that the furnace’s handler is broken, you should call a professionals to repair it.
  • Holes in air ducts. You will need to repair the hole to maintain the proper operation of the furnace. 

Goodman Furnace Won’t Turn On/Igniter

Suppose a Goodman furnace doesn’t ignite (turn on). There might be a problem with the electricity or gas supply, insufficient airflow, a faulty thermostat, an incorrect ignition sequence, a dirty pilot light hole, or a dirty or broken flame sensor. You can fix the most common thermostat issues by replacing or resetting the thermostat. You can improve the most common thermostat issues. 

No Gas Supply

If your Goodman furnace is not receiving a gas supply, you can check a few things to see if there is an issue. First, turn on the gas valve to make sure it is working. If it is, check to see if there is a gas line shut-off valve near the furnace. When there is no shut-off valve, check the meter to see if there is a problem with the service. If none of these things seem to be the problem, this is a signal that you may need to call a professional to come and take a look.

You can’t start your gas furnace unless there’s enough gas to burn. Even if the ignition light is on, your furnace won’t operate if there’s no gas or insufficient gas. If the gas supply valve is closed or the propane or LP tank is empty, this could cause a low gas flow or no flow.

Dirty Pilot Light Holes

Your Goodman furnace won’t ignite if it is an older model that utilizes a pilot light rather than an electronic ignition system. Dirty pilot light holes may cause the furnace won’t light. If the pilot light has gone out, the Goodman furnace will not work. To clean your Goodman furnace’s pilot light holes, pick them carefully with a fine wire or brush them with a coarse wire brush to eliminate any debris. 

Try the furnace again after you’ve cleaned the holes. To adjust the flame, turn the pilot light screwdriver as desired. You should clean the holes so the furnace pilot light consistently glows at about 1.5 to 2 inches and has a pale blue color. Clean up the pilot light holes or contact an HVAC professional for comprehensive maintenance and to find out other information.

A Defective/Dirty Flame Sensor

The Goodman gas furnace has defects or a dirty flame sensor. It causes the furnace to overheat and shut down. Additionally, the furnace may not restart after a power outage. It is a serious safety hazard that needs to be addressed immediately.

A flame sensor detects whether there is a flame present and turns the furnace burner on and off. If the flame sensor is faulty or dirty, it cannot see the flame, and therefore the burner will not ignite. The control board will turn off the gas valve to prevent the furnace from overheating because it will not detect ignition.

To keep the Goodman furnace flame sensor clean, take these steps. First, turn off the power to the furnace. Next, remove the flame sensor by unscrewing it from its position. Clean the flame sensor using emery cloth, light-grit sandpaper, or light-grit sandpaper.

Turn the furnace on to see if it works. If the flame sensor is cracked or damaged, replace it. Some furnaces have fixed flame sensors that must be assessed, cleaned, and repaired by a furnace repair company or an HVAC professional. You should turn the furnace on.

Thermostat Issues

A Goodman furnace uses a thermostat to control the amount of heat produced. If the thermostat is broken, the primary issue is that the furnace won’t turn on. Temperature issues can result from incorrect thermostat settings, a broken circuit breaker, or a tripped circuit breaker. In addition, thermostat batteries that are spent can cause the furnace not to work, as thermostat controls are not functioning.

You can do several things if you set your furnace’s thermostat to the heat setting instead of the cool setting. Check the circuit breaker and the thermostat’s fuse to see if they are set correctly and tripped respectively; if they are, open the thermostat’s casing and inspect it.

If the fuse has blown, you will notice a broken filament or stained glass. When the thermostat is open, you can test the battery to see if it is still charged. Voltage should not be below 1.35 volts if you have AA/AAA batteries, and the charge should not be under 2.7/2.8 volts if you have a 3V lithium battery, which is low and must be replaced.

Goodman furnaces should be set to heat mode rather than cool mode if their thermostat is cool. You may reset a tripped circuit breaker by replacing a blown fuse or switching it back on. If your thermostat utilizes batteries, change dead ones. 

Wrong Ignition Sequence

When your Goodman furnace suddenly stops working, you may have to reset it to restart. You may need to restart it after a servicing or power outage to restart it, shut off the furnace’s main switch or circuit breaker, turn off the external gas valve, turn off the thermostat’s temperature settings, turn off the internal gas control valve and wait for five minutes before turning the furnace back on. After turning on the furnace, start with the internal gas valve, and the electrical power switch. Finally, set the thermostat to the heating mode and the desired temperature.

The High Limit Switch

A furnace’s limit switch is a safety device. It generally remains closed and opens when the furnace is too hot. When this switch is opened, the furnace won’t fire. You can discover the high limit switch if it is activated by checking your furnace’s error codes. Goodman furnaces typically flash four times to indicate that the limit switch is open. If the switch is open, reset it and see if the furnace fires.

The Rollout Switch

The rollout switch is also there for your protection. It ensures that the furnace will turn off if the flames spread beyond the burner chamber and heat exchanger. The error codes on your furnace may reveal whether the rollout switch is faulty or not. If your furnace does not ignite, six flashes may indicate that this switch is open. You may reset the switch if it has tripped. If it does not close after resetting, you may need to replace it with a new rollout switch.

The Pressure Switch

Goodman furnaces use a gas pressure switch to control the draft inducer motor. When the furnace is off, the switch should be closed; when it’s on, it should be open. The furnace will not run if the switch is open or closed. You must replace the switch if it is broken. You may want to inspect the hoses and nozzles before determining that the switch is at fault. If the nozzles/hoses are clogged, unclog them and see if that fixes the problem.

The Hoses and Nozzles

If the pressure switch fails to close due to blockages in the pressure hose or pipe, your furnace will not start. For the switch to close, you must ensure that the pressure hose is free of obstructions so that it can ignite. If you suspect any blocks in the hose, clean it out and blow through it to remove them. Finally, use a small wire to dislodge any obstructions in the nozzles.

The Hot Surface Ignitor

You should remedy soot build-up by replacing a broken or cracked hot surface igniter, not by cleaning it. The control board should provide enough current for the coil to heat up, or the hot surface igniter will not function. You can determine whether the voltage at the hot surface ignitor’s terminals is sufficient by checking if the voltage is good.

Goodman Furnace Won’t Start

A Goodman furnace may not ignite due to several issues: no energy supply, tripped circuit breaker, faulty wiring, a faulty control board, a broken transformer, a damaged capacitor, a malfunctioning draft inducer motor, thermostat issues, device problems, and reversed polarity.

Inspect The Thermostat

If the circuit breaker trips, reset it and replace it if it cannot be reset. Be careful if you believe there is a shortage in your home or furnace. Inspect the wiring on the furnace for frayed or damaged wires and tighten any loose connections.

Inspect the Draft Inducer Motor

If you suspect that the draft inducer motor of your Goodman gas furnace is not working, you can inspect it for signs of damage. Look for cracks or breaks in the housing, and check the wires and connections for signs of wear or damage. If the motor appears to be in good condition, try resetting the furnace by turning it off and then on again. If the furnace still does not operate properly, you may need to replace the draft inducer motor.

Check for Reverse Polarity

The neutral line connects to the hot terminal or the opposite terminal. If it is connected to the hot terminal, reverse polarity occurs. Do not operate the furnace unless you correct this, and keep electrical wires away to avoid an electric shock. You should also see if reverse polarity occurs on your Goodman furnace or not. A reverse polarity problem may occur due to improperly rewired electrical circuits or new circuits in a household. 

Some furnaces will continue to operate even when reverse polarity occurs, but it will eventually show up, and the machine will not run.

Test Electrical Components

Find out if the control board, transformer, and capacitor are working correctly by testing for continuity issues or weakened terminal voltages using a multimeter. A certified HVAC technician would typically inspect these electrical parts, but you may do so yourself if you have the necessary DIY skills and tools. 

Goodman Furnace Not Heating

Here are a few reasons your Goodman furnace might not be heating your home. The most common causes of low furnace operation are power, gas supply, airflow, return, filters, motors, and thermostat issues.

How to Fix a Goodman Furnace That’s Not Heating?

Goodman furnaces that don’t heat properly have several troubleshooting steps. It might be due to insufficient gas supply and airflow. To solve this issue, you should remove all blockages from the supply and return the vents, and ensure the ducts are clean and open if the furnace is not generating enough heat. A working blower and draft inducer motor are vital to maintaining adequate airflow. Replace the fan if it is damaged or clean the air filter on the air handler if it is dirty. 

Ensure the thermostat regulates the heating properly by reviewing its mode, settings, and wiring. The capacitor or board might require replacing if the voltages are not correct.

Goodman Furnace Short Cycles

Too much heat in your home may cause the furnace to shut off too quickly. High temperatures may also cause the furnace to shut off too quickly. When it’s freezing outside, the air in your home does not stay hot for long after the furnace shuts off. Various electrical or mechanical problems in the furnace may cause a malfunction known as a short cycle. You may be able to correct the problem by adjusting the thermostat, but you may also require an expert to repair a short in the control board or motor.

Goodman’s Warranty Coverage

Goodman’s warranty coverage is one of the best in the industry. They offer a 10-year furnace parts limited warranty on all of their products. It also offers a 10-year unit replacement limited warranty, the best industry. Its units are replaced with new ones, if necessary, and no questions are asked.

Goodman’s customer service is top-notch, and they are always available to help with any questions or concerns you may have. Furthermore, a company that installed your furnace might offer a warranty. They might provide labor or other warranty services.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. You will be surprised at the number of things that can go wrong with your furnace. However, once you take a close look at the list of potential problems above, you should be able to narrow down the problem and solve it quickly.

If, for any reason, you are unable to get your Goodman furnace working correctly, you should replace the unit or call Goodman for repairs. An external fault may cause the problem on rare occasions.

Before buying a new furnace, check with your local HVAC contractors to see if your old one is still in good working order. It can save you money and frustration down the road. It’s crucial to thoroughly research and do your homework before purchasing an HVAC system. Choose a reputable dealer. Once you have the right system, ensure that you have the right accessories, filters, and oil to keep it running. And remember, you can always contact the manufacturer for help or advice on troubleshooting.

FAQ

Why is my Goodman furnace blowing cold air?

There are a few potential reasons why your Goodman furnace may be blowing cold air. One possibility is that the furnace is not receiving enough power, caused by a tripped circuit breaker or a blown a fuse. A dirty furnace air filter may be the cause of the overheating problem. If you’re not sure what the problem is, it’s best to call a professional to take a look.

Do all Goodman furnaces have a reset button?

Goodman furnaces have a reset button that allows the user to restart the furnace in a power outage. It’s near the pilot light assembly on the upper-left side of the furnace.

Why is my furnace running but with no heat?

There are several reasons why your furnace may be running but with no heat. One possibility is that the furnace is not receiving enough power. An improperly vented furnace is another option. If the furnace is not venting properly, the heat will not be able to escape and will build up inside the furnace, which can cause it to overheat and shut down.