Is your furnace trying to start but not producing heat, making an unusual noise, or displaying a pressure-switch or venting-related error code? A failing furnace inducer motor is one possible cause.

SDG Duct Cleaning provides furnace repair in Cornwall, Ontario and throughout the surrounding SDG area. We're HVAC technicians—not just duct cleaners—and diagnosing inducer motor problems is part of troubleshooting a furnace that won't properly start.

The inducer motor is one of the first components that normally operates when your thermostat calls for heat. If the inducer can't start or can't create the required draft, the furnace may stop its heating sequence before the burners ever ignite.

What Does a Furnace Inducer Motor Do?

When your thermostat calls for heat, the furnace doesn't immediately open the gas valve and light the burners.

There is a sequence that needs to happen first.

On most modern gas furnaces, the draft inducer motor starts near the beginning of that sequence. Its job is to help establish the proper draft through the furnace's combustion and venting system.

Once the proper conditions are established and proven through the furnace's safety controls, the furnace can continue toward ignition.

If the inducer motor isn't operating properly, your furnace may never get that far.

What Are the Signs of a Bad Furnace Inducer Motor?

Some common symptoms that may lead us to investigate the inducer motor include:

• Furnace won't start
• Inducer motor doesn't turn on
• Inducer starts but the furnace doesn't ignite
• Furnace repeatedly tries to start
• Furnace starts and then goes into lockout
• Grinding, rattling or squealing noise from the furnace
• Inducer motor starts slowly or struggles to turn
• Furnace works intermittently
• Pressure-switch fault or error code
• Inducer motor is running but the pressure switch won't close

These symptoms don't automatically mean the inducer motor has failed.

That's why we diagnose the furnace before replacing parts.

Why Is My Furnace Making a Grinding or Rattling Noise?

An inducer motor contains moving components that can wear over time.

A failing motor or inducer assembly may begin producing grinding, rattling, scraping or squealing sounds that weren't previously present.

Sometimes an inducer will continue operating while becoming increasingly noisy. In other cases, it may eventually seize and prevent the furnace from starting.

If you've noticed a new mechanical noise coming from the furnace during startup, it's worth having the system inspected before assuming the noise is normal.

My Furnace Inducer Runs but the Burners Don't Light

This is an important distinction.

If you can hear the inducer running but the furnace doesn't continue to ignition, the inducer motor isn't automatically bad.

The furnace may be having difficulty proving the required draft.

Possible causes can include:

• Restricted intake or exhaust venting
• Condensate drainage problems
• Pressure-switch tubing problems
• A blocked pressure port
• Pressure-switch problems
• An inducer that is running but not producing sufficient draft
• Other furnace control or venting problems

This is why replacing an inducer simply because the furnace stops after the inducer starts isn't proper diagnosis.

We need to determine where the furnace sequence stops and why.

Can an Inducer Motor Cause a Pressure Switch Error?

Yes, it can.

The pressure switch and inducer system work closely together during the furnace startup sequence.

If the inducer isn't producing the required draft, the pressure switch may not operate as expected and the furnace control board can display a pressure-switch fault.

That doesn't necessarily mean the pressure switch is defective.

The pressure switch may actually be doing its job by preventing the furnace from continuing when the required operating condition hasn't been proven.

This is one reason we look at the inducer, pressure switch, venting and condensate system together when diagnosing certain furnace faults.

Furnace Inducer Motor Problems During Cornwall Winters

Our Eastern Ontario winters can sometimes create problems that look very similar to a failed inducer motor.

Snow and ice can obstruct the outside furnace intake or exhaust venting, particularly following heavy snowfall or drifting snow.

If the furnace can't properly move combustion air and exhaust gases, it may fail to complete its startup sequence.

That's why an inducer or pressure-switch problem should be diagnosed rather than automatically assuming a motor needs replacement.

Does a Noisy Inducer Motor Need to Be Replaced?

Not every sound means immediate failure.

However, an inducer motor that has suddenly become considerably louder, is grinding, squealing, rattling or struggling to start should be investigated.

We've seen inducer motors continue running while clearly showing signs of wear, and we've also encountered motors that have completely seized.

The condition of the motor and inducer assembly needs to be evaluated before determining whether replacement is necessary.

Furnace Inducer Motor Diagnosis in Cornwall, Ontario

You don't need to know whether your inducer motor has failed before calling us.

You may simply tell us:

“My furnace won't start.”

“I hear a motor running, but the burners don't light.”

“My furnace is making a grinding noise.”

“The furnace keeps trying to start.”

“I'm getting a pressure-switch error.”

Those symptoms give us somewhere to begin.

SDG Duct Cleaning provides furnace troubleshooting and repair in Cornwall and surrounding SDG communities during our regular service hours. We'll diagnose the furnace and determine whether the problem involves the inducer motor or another part of the heating system.

Contact SDG for Furnace Repair

If you suspect a bad furnace inducer motor or your furnace simply isn't working properly, contact SDG Duct Cleaning to schedule a furnace service call.

We provide furnace repair throughout Cornwall, Long Sault, Ingleside, Lancaster, Williamstown, Martintown, Apple Hill and surrounding SDG communities.

We're HVAC technicians—not just duct cleaners.