Firebird boiler bother

BB_1983

Hi everyone,.
Hoping someone can offer a bit of advice or experience on an issue I'm having with my boiler (firebird popular 90).
It is intermittently not starting and locking out. When I go out to it I will press the reset and it will make a light vibrating noise with out actually attempting to start. The first couple of times it happened I would go out and have to reset it several times before eventually starting.
What I have discovered since is it will go with a kick! So when it locks out I will press reset, it will do the low light sort of vibrating noise I will give it a tap with my foot and then it will start to build up to fire. It will do this every time with out fail.
I have checked the wiring and connections and all seem in good order so I'm suspecting it may be the motor. The only other thing I notice is the cover on the side opens as soon as I tap the burner so not sure if this is anything to do with it or if this is just because it is only attempting to start at this stage.
Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

Wearb

Possibly a faulty capacitor.

BB_1983

Wearb wrote: »

Possibly a faulty capacitor.

Thanks for the reply, didnt know that was the function of the capacitor,. i will check that later!

Wearb

They can give a nasty shock, even when disconnected.

BB_1983

Wearb wrote: »

They can give a nasty shock, even when disconnected.

They sure can, cheers for that. Looks like you were right, capacitor is constant open circuit. Thanks a million for your help.

Wearb

Caps are open circuit to DC unless supplied with a voltage way beyond their limit.

BB_1983

Wearb wrote: »

Caps are open circuit to DC unless supplied with a voltage way beyond their limit.

Oh, I taught they should give a resistance reading initially before going open circuit. Can you advice how you test a capacitor or check if its functioning?... Other than checking if it gives you a rap thanks a again for your time and advice

daingeanrob

normally a blown capicitor won't be flat on top, it will have domed slightly. this is observational on my part from changing circuit boards on equipment. but it is a quick tell tale sign

Wearb

The smaller ones will often display that dome. The correct way to check is with a multimeter with capacitance function. Other than that, it's a cheap replacement anyway.

BB_1983

Problem solved capacitor fixed it, 13 euro and all sorted! Thanks a million lads for the advice, I'd probably of thrown a motor in and be still scratching my head now before calling a plumber! Cheers

Wearb

Glad you got it sorted and was able to post after doing it