Why isn't my Silent Drive Kerosene Forced Heater working?

Check out the most common troubleshooting steps below to get your silent drive kerosene heater working.

What Issue Are You Experiencing?

Click a link to jump to the problem.

• It Won't Light
• Shuts Down After a Few Seconds
• Heater Won't Start
• Igniter Won't Fire
• Making a Horrible Noise
• Warnings

Problem: It won't light.

Possible Issue: Pressure adjustment needed.

Steps to Try:

1. Open the left side panel to expose the pump.
   1. The screw to adjust pressure is a silver screw with a jam nut. It will have a small P next to the pressure screw. 
2. The jam nut will need to be backed off to adjust.
   1. Turn the screw clockwise to increase or counterclockwise to decrease pressure. 
3. For older pumps with two brass screws, adjust both screws the same amount and clockwise to increase or counterclockwise to decrease pressure.

Possible Issue: Igniter is not sparking.

Steps to Try:

1. You will hear a Tick, Tick, Tick sound if the ignitor is working properly. 
2. If you do not hear this, remove the left side panel to view the main PCB.
3. Find where the igniter plugs into the PCB board.
   1. Usually two thicker red wires.
4. Disconnect.
5. With a multimeter, check to see if you are getting 120V out of the pins when turned on.

 

Problem: Heater down after a few seconds.

Possible Issues: The high limit switch or photocell.

Steps to Try:

1. High limit troubleshooting
   1. Remove shell cover.
   2. Locate the switch (round flat circle that has two wires coming off the back). Near the combustion chamber. 
   3. Take the two wires off.
   4. Attach a paper clip or 12 gauge wire to the wires.
   5. Turn unit on.
   6. If the unit stays running, it needs a new high limit switch.
2. Photocell troubleshooting
   1. Remove shell cover.
   2. Locate the photocell. It is near the lower left side inside of the unit, near the combustion chamber. It looks like a black plastic tube or very similar to the size of a lipstick tube. 
   3. Clean the lens of the photocell. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or water. 
   4. Shine a flashlight in the lens of the photocell and try running the unit. Please be careful when running the unit with the shell off. Use caution. 
   5. If it stays running with the flashlight shining, the photocell needs to be replaced.

Problem: The heater will not start on initial startup.

Possible Issue: The fuel is not full.

Steps to Try:

1. The fuel tank must be filled to full. 
2. It is recommended to try and start it a few times if the fuel pump is not primed.
3. If it is still not running after a few tries, take off the left side panel and adjust the fuel pressure.
   1. Newer units will have the pressure adjustment screw that has a screw with a nut.
   2. Older units will have two flathead screws with the fuel hose between them.
4. Start increasing the fuel pressure to the right at quarter turns, letting the unit rest between each turn and then try to start.
5. If you have already turned these screws and are unsure where you started, you can do a reset.
   1. Turn the screw (or the one with two screws) all the way to the right until they won't go any further and then back out two full turns.
6. If the unit has flames coming out of the front of the unit, reduce the fuel pressure by quarter turns to the left with the unit on.
7. If the unit has a lot of smoke or fumes, turn the pressure up in quarter turns.

Problem: Igniter won't fire. 

Possible Issue: New board or new thermistor wire needed.

Steps to Try:

1. You will hear a Tick, Tick, Tick sound if the ignitor is working properly. 
2. If you do not hear this, remove the left side panel to view the main PCB.
3. Find where the igniter plugs into the PCB board.
   1. Usually two thicker red wires.
4. Disconnect.
5. With a multimeter, check to see if you are getting 120V out of the pins when turned on.
6. If the unit is reading the wrong temp.
   1. The thermistor wire will need to be replaced.
7. If nothing is turning on.
   1. Check to see if the unit is plugged in and there is fuel in it.
   2. Try other outlets.
   3. If the unit is receiving power, look at the power board and see if any connections are loose.
   4. If none of those, you will need a new board.
      
8. If the fan is not spinning
   1. Check the board. If you are getting voltage out of it, you will need a new fan motor.
   2. The thermistor wire will need to be replaced.

Problem: It is making a horrible grinding noise like metal on metal.

Possible Issue: The dump solenoid.

Steps to Try:

1. Remove the top shell.
2. Locate the dump solenoid. It will be below the ducting inside the fan. 
3. Replace the dump solenoid.