Troubleshooting Guide: What to Do If Your Goodman Furnace Isn’t Heatin

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👋 Introduction: Don’t Panic—Furnace Fixes Can Be Simple

It’s the middle of winter, your house is chilly, and your Goodman furnace just won’t kick out heat. The first instinct? Panic. But take a deep breath—many furnace problems are simple and fixable without a costly emergency call.

The Goodman 96 AFUE 80,000 BTU Variable Speed Two-Stage Furnace (GRVT960803BN) is designed for reliability and efficiency. Still, like any mechanical system, it can experience hiccups.

This guide will walk you through step-by-step troubleshooting—from thermostat checks to airflow fixes—and help you recognize when it’s time to call in a pro.

📋 1. Safety First: Before You Start

Before poking around your furnace, remember: safety first.

🔌 Turn off power at the furnace switch or breaker before removing panels.
🔥 Do not tamper with gas lines or attempt DIY ignition repairs.
🛑 If you smell gas (rotten egg smell), leave the house immediately and call your utility company.

👉 Savvy’s Tip: Homeowners can safely handle filters, thermostats, breakers, and vents. Leave gas valves, burners, and wiring to professionals.

🎛️ 2. Thermostat Troubles

The thermostat is the “brain” of your furnace, and sometimes the issue is as simple as a setting.

Quick Checks:

Mode: Set to Heat.
Temperature: Raise it 5°F above current room temp.
Batteries: Replace if digital display is blank or fading.
Smart Thermostats: Confirm Wi-Fi or app settings aren’t overriding schedules.

👉 Savvy’s Tip: For testing, temporarily set thermostat to Hold or Manual Mode to bypass schedules.

🪶 3. Filter & Airflow Issues

A dirty filter is the #1 cause of furnace problems.

Symptoms:

Furnace runs but weak airflow from vents.
Furnace overheats and shuts off (short cycling).
Rising energy bills.

What to Do:

Replace the filter (every 1–3 months depending on type).
Make sure return air grills aren’t blocked by furniture or dust.
Check supply vents—keep at least 80% open.

👉 Savvy’s Tip: Write the filter size on your phone notes or directly on the furnace for easy ordering.

⚡ 4. Power Supply & Circuit Breakers

Sometimes the issue is electrical.

Ensure the furnace power switch (near the unit) is ON.
Check the breaker panel—reset if tripped.
Inspect furnace fuse (if applicable).

👉 Savvy’s Tip: If the breaker keeps tripping, stop resetting—it signals a bigger problem requiring an HVAC technician.

🔥 5. Ignition or Pilot Issues

Modern Goodman furnaces (like the 96 AFUE model) use electronic ignition, not a standing pilot light.

Common Problems:

Dirty Flame Sensor: Furnace starts but shuts off quickly.
Gas Valve Closed: Double-check the valve handle near furnace gas line.
Ignitor Failure: Furnace clicks but doesn’t ignite.

What You Can Do:

Reset furnace by powering it off, waiting 5 minutes, and restarting.
Check for diagnostic LED error codes (see Goodman manual).

👉 Savvy’s Tip: Flame sensors often need cleaning during annual service. If your furnace shuts off after a few seconds, this is a likely culprit.

🌬️ 6. Furnace Running but No Heat

If your furnace is running but the air isn’t warm:

Check ducts for leaks (feeling air escaping in basement/attic).
Variable Speed Settings: Ensure blower isn’t set to fan-only mode.
Short Cycling: Furnace starts/stops quickly (dirty filter, thermostat, or overheating).

👉 Savvy’s Tip: Hold your hand near a vent. If air is moving but cool, the issue may be ignition, not airflow.

⚠️ 7. When to Call a Professional

DIY checks can solve a lot, but some issues need a certified tech. Call for help if:

🚨 You smell gas (rotten egg odor).
🔊 Loud noises: banging, screeching, or booming on startup.
🔥 Furnace starts then shuts down repeatedly.
⚡ LED error codes flash persistently.
🌫️ Unusual odors (burning wires, moldy smell from ducts).

👉 Savvy’s Tip: Write down error codes and symptoms before calling—it saves time and money on the service call.

🧰 8. Preventive Tips for Avoiding Heating Problems

The best troubleshooting is prevention.

🪶 Replace filters regularly.
🌬️ Keep vents open and clear.
🧹 Clean around the furnace—no clutter or dust buildup.
📅 Schedule annual professional tune-ups.
📝 Keep a furnace log: track filter changes, service calls, and error codes.

👉 Savvy’s Tip: Preventive care isn’t just comfort—it keeps your Goodman warranty valid.

📊 Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

Problem	Quick Fix	When to Call Pro
Furnace won’t turn on	Check thermostat, breaker, power switch	Persistent power loss
Furnace runs but no heat	Check filter, vents, ducts	Burner won’t ignite
Furnace starts then shuts off	Replace filter, reset thermostat	LED error codes, flame sensor issues
Strange noises	Inspect vents for blockages	Loud banging/screeching
Smells gas	Leave immediately	Always call utility/HVAC

✅ Conclusion: Stay Warm with Smart Troubleshooting

A Goodman 96 AFUE furnace is engineered for reliability, but even the best equipment can run into problems. With this troubleshooting guide, you now know: