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Fan limit control switch interior components (C) InspectApedia.com KenFan & Limit Switch Q&A-5
Furnace fan limit control troubleshooting

Furnace fan limit safety control Q&A set #5:

This article series explains how to install, wire, test, set or repair the fan limit control switch used on heating furnaces - the same blower that may be used for both heating and cooling.

Page top illustration: the interior controls and standard settings for a typical furnace or forced-warm-air fan imit control switch.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

HVAC Fan Limit Control FAQs set #5

Trane XR80 Furnace Wiring Diagram at InspectApedia.comRecently-asked questions about furnace fan limit switch controls.

These questions and answers were posted originally at FAN LIMIT SWITCH - topic home, so you may want to start reading there.

Or check out FAN LIMIT SWITCH TROUBLESHOOTING.

Photo: the interior of a typical fan limit control switch found in the air handler of furnaces - forced warm air heating systems, discussed by Ken Martin's question below

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2018-12-17 by (mod) - identify the fan limit controller in order to understand its wiring and find its manual

Again: What's the brand and model of the limit control here? This doesn't sound familiar to me.

It's the limit controller wiring that we need to examine - that's not the furnace brand, though perhaps your furnace manual does include instructions for wiring the limit control. Take a look and let me know.

On 2019-01-10 by Pete

Any clarification on what you need, and what you dont recognize?
The wiring setup seem screwy to you? Is that that your saying?

Pete

The brand of furnace? TRANE XR 80
Or
do you want me to look inside the furnace for a brand name on
The wiring control panel?

On 2018-12-17 by (mod) - Honeywell ST9120U Universal Electronic Fan Timer Manual

What's the brand and model of the limit control here? This doesn't sound familiar to me.

I have seen this separate control from Honeywell: HONEYWELL 69-0644-1 ST9120U UNIVERSAL FAN CONTROLLER TIMER UNIT [PDF]

Excerpts:

The ST9120U Universal Electronic Fan Timers integrate control of all combustion blower and circulating fan operations in a gas warm air appliance. This control is the central wiring point for most of the electrical components in the furnace.

The basic purposes of the ST9120U are to monitor the thermostat for heat, cool and fan demands, run the induced draft blower motor and run a circulating fan (up to two speeds) as required.

The electronic fan timers also monitor limit switch strings and energize separate ignition control systems through spst pressure switches.

The ST9120U can replace any ST9101 or ST9120 listed in Table 2 below.

The electronic fan timers feature a field-adjustable heat fan-on delay, a field-adjustable heat fan-off delay, a field-adjustable cool fan-on delay and a fixed cool fan-off delay.

On 2018-12-12 by Anonymous - controlling the furnace fan purge cycle duration: wires & color codes

Darn. Ok. Thank you for responding.p very much.

Is there a way i can confirm what temp its Registering at to shut off? Would it be listed in either the owners manual or Installers manual I have access to, to help Make a safer better informed decision of possibly turning it back to 60 sec From 100 secs?

Reminder: furnace is in an open to cold air closet, whichShould help with cooling quickly.

Built on outside wall of building.

2 ton, updraft furnace set to low? Does this help with how much Air is moving through, to decide if we can turn back after burner blower time?

I looked at this today:

CONFIRMED BY SIGHT:

1) furnace has RED on heat, which by schematic Corresponds to

LOW for fan, which is not standard setup for this furnace.

Yellow on cool.

Black in park 1

Blue in park 2

2) blower fan is on factory setting Of 100 secs for fan to stop after burners go out.

All switches pushed to ON.

Let me know your thoughts,

Appreciative of your help and opinion.

On 2018-12-10 by (mod) - Wiring diagram for the Trane XR80 -

Trane XR80 Furnace Wiring Diagram at InspectApedia.com

[Click to enlarge any image]

Pete

The furnace blower fan heat purge cycle is not run by time but by temperature. That is I expect the fan to run until the limit switch senses that the temperature has dropped to a safe level.

You wouldn't want to shorten that interval - as you'd risk an unsafe heater.

The schematic showing the fan switches is on page 15 of the Trane XR80 manual (and is illustrated above).

Wiring diagram above, cited by Anon, for the Trane XR80 - found in

TRANE XR80 GAS FURNACE MANUAL [PDF](2015) Upflow/Horizontal Right or Upflow/Horizontal Left Induced Draft Gas Furnace, Models: TUD1A040A9241A, TUD1A040A9301A, TUD1A060A9241A, TUD1A060A9361A, TUD1B060A9361A, TUD1B080A9241A, TUD1B080A9361A, TUD1B080A9481A, TUD1C080A9601A, TUD1B100A9361A, TUD1B100A9451A, TUD1C100A9481A, TUD1C100A9601A, TUD1D100A9721A, TUD1C120A9541A, TUD1D120A9601A, TUD1D140A9601A Single-Stage Fan Assisted Combustion System, Trane 6200 Troup Highway Tyler, TX 75707 www.trane.com

On 2018-12-10 by Anonymous

Grrr so sorry for the typos.

Our version TUD1A040A9241A

On 2018-12-10 04:34:19.937752 by Anonymous

Yes dan,
But can i not SHORTEN this from the standard set 100 secs to the lower 60 secs?
I can send the schematic if you want to see it? Three switches one for cool and two for heat.

Shortening the fan cycle time will leave more heat in the apt, yes.. Because it will be sucking hot air oit for a shorter
Length of time,plus the firnace is an an outside closet exposed to outside air, so woukd help cool fhe exchanger quicker?

Any thougnts on doing this? Do you need anymore dpecific i fo like model number and the schematic to help see if
We can safely shorten the blower time after burners go out?

Thank you for responding.
Pete

On 2018-12-09 by (mod) - why the furnace blower fan runs after call for heat has stopped - the heat purge cycle

it's normal and proper for the blower fan to continue to run for a time at the end of a heat on cycle. That's necessary in order to extract the remaining heat from the heat exchanger

. If you don't do that the heat exchanger maybe overheated and May Crack which would make it dangerous risking the release of flue gases into

On 2018-12-09 by Pete

Sorry for the typos. Fat thumbs. Just looking to see if I can shut the extended blower down sooner, by adjusting thise switches, to lewve some heat in the apt.

I dont know if you need more info about model and such. Its a small efficiency Trane 80%.

The schemetic says the blower is already set med low, but havent confirmed this directly on control board.

Just looking not to do any damage. Have research knowledge, but no practical knowledge of HVAC.

Thank you kindly

I have an apt furnace 40000/32000 that is a bit oversized for the sq ftg and cubic footage of air.
It also has short return duct runs of 3-4 ft that make the return suck very powerful.

After the burners shut off, the furnace blower runs for about 90-100 secs Sucking every last bit of warm air out of this smaller apt every darn cycle keeping it constantly chilled.

But the blower fan has coll off and heat off adjustments of 60, 100 ( factory setting) etc, etc and I wouod like to shut down

That blower soon since this is a smaller space so it keaves some warmth in apt.

The furnace is in an outside closet, so dont think it will hurt the exchanger with overheating since its exposed to constant outside air, but am not certain this will help, or how to do this.

Can you kend a hand please? Its only three switches as I have looked at the electrical schematic, but just dont know if im looking at the correct thing, how to set it, or the consequences.

Thank you

Pere

On 2018-12-06 by (mod) - The fan blower keep running

AP

A tower article titled

FURNACE FAN WONT STOP

You will find a list of diagnostic steps and suggestions. Please check that out and let me know if any questions remain.

On 2018-12-05 04:32:06.261762 by A. Pohyar

@Kristine, The fan blower keep running, replace control board, checked limit switches is ok, 27 V applies on the low volt , turn off the thermostat , but fan still runs. this is Bryant furnace five years old. what shall be done next. thanks

On 2018-11-21 by (mod) - Will furnace work without a filter

K

Sure, it'll run, but it's a bad idea except in a dire emergency and for a short time.

The problem is you're sucking more house dust and debris into the system, clogging the blower fan, clogging the A/C coil if there's air conditioning, and ultimately increasing operation and maintenance cost for the system, while at the same time decreasing indoor air quality by blowing more dust and debris around the building instead of removing it.

On 2018-11-21 14:39:20.643932 by Kristine

Will furnace work without a filter

On 2018-11-01 01:10:54.249286 by (mod) -

Mart


if the wheel that you say you turned his a dial inside of the fan limit switch please take a closer look.

Most fan limit switches will be destroyed and at the very least made unsafe if you turn that dial manually. That's because you bend and uncalibrated the bimetallic spring that operates the dial. If that's what you've done the safe thing would be to replace the control.

On 2018-10-31 03:02:12.196424 by Mart

Our furnace works perfectly sometimes ... and sometimes not... sometimes the fan runs constantly even when the temperature is very low .. i tried to turn the wheel to the on position then off again and sometimes it stops after a few tries ... and before i found that wheel to adjust the fan i had to pull and push the manual/auto button a lots of times to stop the fan ... any idea about that?

On 2018-10-24 18:04:37.993552 by (mod) -

thank you very much for the nice comment, Jin. We work hard to provide researched, un-biased information so I'm really happy when a reader finds it useful and trustworthy.

On 2018-10-24 01:25:23.097367 by Jin

wow... such a super wonderful clear explanation for the beginner like me. thanks a lot

On 2018-08-14 23:49:21.577343 by (mod) -

A short circuit - wires crossed or a motor that is seized.

Watch out: LEAVE POWER OFF so as to avoid getting shocked or starting a fire.

your repair person will trace the circuit, probably un-plugging components until she finds the failed wire, control, or motor.

On 2018-08-14 23:15:30.450527 by Diane

Our furnace stopped running sue to a blown fuse but when we shut everything off and put in a new fuse then turn it back on, the fuse blows and we hear a pop sound from the fan/limit switch. What would cause that?

On 2018-06-24 by (mod) - where to find the wiring and installation guide for your furnace and controls

Fan Limit Control Switch (C) Carson Dunlop Associates at InspectApedia.comCharles,

The furnace in our Carson Dunlop sketch is a generic illustration.

To find the wiring diagram for your furnace you'd need the furnace brand and model number.

Then if you can't find the furnace manual for your heater at MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC

Post photos of the furnace markings, brand, and data tag and I'll research further for you.

On 2018-06-24 by Charles

Hi,
I had a problem with the Fan switch Control limit, I bought new one.

but we had a problem during instillation due to difference in voltage. We had to change many parts in addition to the relay.

Unfortunately we were not able to find the wiring diagram for the whole furnace it was removed somehow. Would you please send us the wiring diagram for the same furnace as shown in the attached picture.

Kind regards

Charles
E-mail: cstco2012@gmail.com

On 2018-02-18 by (mod) - wood furnace control switch - fan runs when system is not hot

Vern,

That sounds to me as if the thermostat has a fan on switch set to the on, or always on, position.

If that's not the case then it's possible that the thermostat wires are connected incorrectly or have been shorted together.

On 2018-02-18 by Vern G

I have a wood furnace that the limit switch works when the thermostat is turned off but once the thermostat is turned on it runs the fan constantly even though the temperature hasn't built up or even a fire in the box. The off, on and then high limit off doesn't work with the thermostat turned on.

I'm wondering if it could be wiring or the limit switch faulty, it hasn't worked properly since I've bought the house but all the fan functions work with the a/c.
Thanks in advance,
Vern

On 2018-02-06 16:41:25.642693 by (mod) -

While the correct and safe repairs to replace the entire switch, some readers have made an emergency repair by carefully drilling with a small diameter bit into the center of the stub of the broken off push-pull switch. That allows insertion of a small screw that will let you pull out the switch.

On 2018-02-04 16:50:29.758195 by Tom

Hi I have a limiter switch problem. The white auto/manual switch is broken off and stuck in the manual mode is there a way to pull it back out? Can the switch split in half to fix or am I just hooped.

On 2018-10-12 by (mod) - external FAN-ON switch on fan limit controllers?

Ken

I've not see what you describe as a fan limit control model; possibly it's a home-made or site-rigged feature to provide the equivalent FAN ON control switch.

Keep in mind that the manufacturer, scared that some one modifying their equipment may cause a fire, injury or worse, will not warrant their control if it has been field modified.

On 2018-10-12 by Ken Martin

Mod: what model of Honeywell combo fan limit switch has no white push or pull button to comtrol fan manually but istead has a wire coming from the limit to a toggle switch mounted on the outside of the large electrical cover to operate tje fan.

It is the same limit as shown in your sketches but where the white button would be a wire comes from it to an external switch and no small cover on the limit just a 5 inch wide 24 inch long to cover

all electrical all i have for a model # is this for an oil furnace

OLB53R100LB-5MC/BLR-5A
anb

OLR105A12C

thats all in model area and heres a poor pic of limit [shown above]

On 2018-02-18 by (mod) - wood furnace that runs the fan steady when the thermostat is calling for heat regardless of if the fire is out

That sounds like acontrol wiring error

On 2018-02-17 0 by Vern G

I have a wood furnace that runs the fan steady when the thermostat is calling for heat regardless of if the fire is out or even running the fan above the high limit. Other than that the air conditioning works with the thermostat and the damper motor works fine.
Thanks
Vern

On 2018-02-03 by (mod) - the right repair is to replace the switch,

Tom

While the right repair is to replace the switch, I've heard from a couple of readers who VERY carefully drilled a tiny hole into the broken-off stub of the white push-pull knob to permit insertion of a small screw so the knob could be pulled out. That's a temp fix.

On 2018-02-02 by Tom

Hi my furnace motor went so I replaced it. So now the fan won't shut off. I've check the limiter switch and the button is push in but I can't pull it back out because the white knob is broken. Is it possible to take the 3 screws out to split it to pull back out?

On 2018-01-14 by (mod) - When you push the white button on your fan limit switch you are simply turning on the blower

Oscar

When you push the white button on your fan limit switch you are simply turning on the blower or air handler, not the furnace itself. There is another problem, most likely with the burner that is not operating. I would check the obvious things like fuel supply and if that looks ok, I'd call for repair.

On 2018-01-14 by Oscar

So I have a wall heater and I would have to push they button on the limit switch to make the heater turn on so I've replaced the limit switch and it's still doing the same thing

I have cleaned it all out as well cause I thought it would be clogged causing this problem but no still doing the same thing I turn the heater to auto nothing I turn the heater on nothing

On 2017-12-18 by Anonymous

There may be however an adjustment on a limit switch that will turn the fan off sooner when the heat exchanger has cooled off.

It sounds to me like there's something wrong with the control - it shouldn't be blowing cold air

On 2017-12-18 by (mod) -

A higher upper limit setting in your furnace would not solve the problem that you describe and it risks damaging the heat exchanger which in turn would make the system unsafe, risking fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. It would be better to correct the return air supply to the furnace.

On 2017-12-18 by william

can the plenum fan limit switch temperature be changed. its not adjustable just mounts inside the plenum approx 3 inches.

i have found some that range from 200/180, 180/150 and so on. what is the maximum heat exchanger temperature for a force air oil furnace. and would using a higher temp limit switch solve the cold air from the fan running so long after the burner shuts down. somebody mounted furnace in a half basement and has a through floor heat supply with floor grate.

it doesn't have a return duct returning from inside the house.it draws the return air from under house via floor vents in each room its what i call a half ass installed furnace put in by budweiser consumers in a old house in the mountains.

forced air oil furnace runs and heats but during shut down the air is extremely cold before the fan limit shuts off the fan.

On 2017-11-24 by (mod) - something is blocking the air flow through the heat exchanger causing it to overheat

Most likely something is blocking the air flow through the heat exchanger causing it to overheat and most likely the control is working correctly. I would start by looking for blocked duct work or dirty air filter

On 2017-11-24 by Barry Prescott

I have an older hot air furnace in my garage just to take the chill off once in awhile. The burner starts and after 30 or so seconds the blower starts however watching the limit switch it continues to turn and then the blower shuts off and the limit switch continues to turn until the burner turns off.

Left as-is the unit will cool down and the blower will start again and then the burner again and the cycle repeats.

On 2017-11-04 8 by (mod) -

Karl, I'd start with the diagnostics at

DIAGNOSE & FIX FURNACE PROBLEMS

Sorry I accidentally deleted your question. Here is it's text:

AUTHOR: Karl (no email)
COMMENT: The fan starts and only blows cold air, no flame ignition. Replaced limit switch, still no heat and won't even start with thermostat. If I remove the positive wire, the furnace starts with no heat.

On 2017-10-22 by Dave Waddle

Thanks for the advice, I turned it more than half a rotation and now it's kicking off on high limit too soon and the fan is running too long. I'm replacing it and will be more careful when setting the new one.

On 2017-10-22 by (mod) - DO NO TURN WHILE SETTING TEMPERATURES

Dave

Thanks for a very important question/ comment.

By "turning" what the manufacturer means is that if you physically rotated the actual moving dial on the control you may damage it, making it and the heating system it controls unsafe. That's because behind that dial is a temperature-sensitive bimetallic spring that responds to temperature changes in the heating plenum.

If you rotate the dial itself you're bending that spring, changing its response to temperature.

That means that the control might let the furnace overheat, risking a damaged heat exchanger, flue gases, even fatal carbon monoxide poisoning to be produced or leaked into the building, or there could be risk of a fire.

That's why when the service tech is actually making adjustments to the fan limit control settings she takes care to move just the adjusters and to keep the rotating dial itself from being moved.

I wouldn't worry if you accidentally touched the dial or moved it 1/8" or so, but more rotation has the risks I outlined.

Certainly if you rotated the dial 45 degrees or more I would be concerned enough that at the very least I would put the control through the full verification test that is provided both by the manufacturer and in this article series, and I'd want independent temperature tests to be sure that the control is still properly calibrated and that it is responding properly.

Or I'd replace it.

On 2017-10-22 by Dave Waddle

I have a Armstrong Ultra 80 oil furnace with a Honeywell Fan and Limit Control 11inch L4064B2210

. It says "DO NO TURN WHILE SETTING TEMPERATURES" on the temperature set dial. Is it possible to damage the unit by accidentally turning the dial while setting temperatures?

On 2017-08-12 by (mod) - loose wire or a defective fan limit control

Sounds like a loose wire or a defective fan limit control

On 2017-08-12 by variable

I've got an older Borg/Warner furnace and wanted to run the fan on manual mode to help keep air recirculating through the apartment, but after some amount of time - I've not sat down and actually measured out how long - I'll say between 10 min and 45 min - the blower will start cycling on and off I'd say every 5-15 seconds.

This is while in fan only mode. I'm fairly certain its not the thermostat as I've replaced it three times, the first - the original was probably.. the original and older than me.. I replaced mostly because I wanted wireless control - it was unreliable in that regard, but had the same problem with the fan.

Went with another of the same brand (using z-wave instead of wifi - all honeywell btw), more connectivity issues - same problem with the fan, then switched brands entirely (z-wave and works great, if a bit more complicated).

The fact that the fan comes on and stays on for a while would lead me to the conclusion that it's wired correctly(?) and that its not a fault in the thermostat, and since the heat mode isn't switched on (its not getting hot, and I don't smell gas..), I don't think the heating bits are broken (worked in the winter time).. Possible the motor has its own shutoff and is overheating due to age?

Also worth noting, I've been monitoring power utilization and estimated that the blower alone is using somewhere between 600 and 800 watts... is it just me, or does that seem high?

Thanks!

On 2017-05-08 by (mod) - A bad exhaust vent fan control switch or shorted wires

A bad exhaust vent fan control switch or shorted wires

On 2017-05-07 by merlinwynia@gmail.com

I have an Armstrong forced air furnace. There is a small squirrel cage fan on the exhaust vent that keeps on running even though the furnace isn't running. This furnace has been working fine for a number of years. What is the problem?

On 2016-10-30 by Fez code 4 calling for limit switch open

Hi I got a DGAT070DBF Coleman furnace I got told from a tech my limit switch was bad I was having code 4 calling for limit switch open and been replace but I still have the same problem?
Same code again after replacing lower and upper limit switch
Thanks I will appreciate if I can get some answer

On 2016-10-07 by jimmy elliott

rheem furnace worked fine a week ago. my gas was shut off by nicor. they turned it back on but it humms quietly when i turn the switch to furnace on. can anyone help please?

On 2016-09-05 by Jackie

fan will not come on. tested blower motor works, breaker is on tested that, capacitor tested and works. pilot light on but will not light up burners and no air blowing. 1987 Lennox gas furnace what should we test next.

On 2016-08-24 by (mod) -

Do keep us posted as what you learn will help other readers.

On 2016-08-24 by Thanks!

Thanks ... Just ordered a new control board... I'll let you know next week if it worked!

On 2016-08-24 by (mod) - When a blower fan runs in one mode (heat) but not in another (cooling)

When a blower fan runs in one mode (heat) but not in another (cooling) I suspect either a wiring error or a failed control board or relay. Your mouse sounds like someone to blame in this case, and I suspect you need to replace the control board.

On 2016-08-24 by Blower fan wont recirculate air, but WILL on heat mode

I have new home with a Carrier Weathermaker (58SXA100-JG)...
When I moved in recently I turned my thermostat to cool mode (although we dont have central air yet) and the furnace began circulating air throughout the house nicely.

I noticed the other day that it had stopped, and found that it would not turn on no matter what I did. Switching to winter mode and turning the heat up, it fires up and the fan blows nicely throughout the house.

Doing a little bit of due diligence, I found out that if I disconnect one of the wires from the limit switch, the fan/blower will turn on. So I know it runs.

Upon further investigation, I found a small mouse had gotten into the circuit board and got fried...

The circuit board only has a slight discoloration but I'm wondering if this might be the reason for the blower to work on heat mode, but not on 'cool' mode. I bought a basic Honeywell thermostat that I'm going to try tonight but feel like that likely wont be the problem.

Any thoughts?

On 2016-01-10 14:01:37.780754 by Ron

Replacing a warm air furnace with another used warm air furnace which is missing the fan limit control. How do I connect the fan motor(white,blue green) wires to the fan limit and then from the fan limit to the riello burner.

There appears to be a transformer (black and white) wires and two terminal posts which was not on the old furnace so I don't know how this hooks up or what it controls. I reviewed the Honeywell diagram but still confused.

Can you tell how to wine . The old fan limit had three wires(blue,red,black).

On 2018-02-06 by (mod) - The white auto/manual switch is broken off and stuck in the manual mode is there a way to pull it back out?

While the correct and safe repairs to replace the entire switch, some readers have made an emergency repair by carefully drilling with a small diameter bit into the center of the stub of the broken off push-pull switch. That allows insertion of a small screw that will let you pull out the switch.

On 2018-02-04 by Tom

Hi I have a limiter switch problem. The white auto/manual switch is broken off and stuck in the manual mode is there a way to pull it back out? Can the switch split in half to fix or am I just hooped.


...

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