Goodman Furnace: Lockout after excessive ignition retries (3 total)
Lockout after excessive ignition retries (3 total) on a Goodman furnace: So the furnace tried to light three times and gave up, and now it's locked out. That just means the control never proved flame, so it shut the gas off for safety. Most of the time it comes down to something simple like a dirty flame sensor, but you want to check the gas and the igniter too.
Applies to: 34.5 in chassis gas furnaces
Common causes of lockout after excessive ignition retries (3 total)
- No gas getting to the burners, or a front cover pressure switch stuck open
- A bad or misaligned igniter, or the wrong orifices
- A flame sensor that is coated, oxidized or connected badly
How to fix lockout after excessive ignition retries (3 total): step by step
- Turn the power off before you start any repair.
- Clean the flame sensor with steel wool, since a coated rod is the most common reason a flame drops out.
- Handle the igniter gently, it is fragile, and check that it sits where it should.
- Check the vent and flue piping against the vent section of the manual.
- Confirm gas is reaching the burners. Gas pressure and orifice work goes to a licensed gas tech.
- Reset the lockout and watch a full ignition cycle.
If the unit shows an error code, look it up: Goodman Furnace codes
Source: Goodman GMVC96 Service and Troubleshooting, p. 60. Written in our own words as a summary; always check the original manual.
General guidance for qualified technicians. The manufacturer's installation and service manual and local codes always take priority. Aurora Star Tech is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any equipment manufacturer; brand and model names are used only to identify equipment and belong to their owners.