Coleman 7656 Furnace Troubleshooting

Coleman is best known for creating camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, heaters and coolers. However, the company also creates furnaces, such as the 7656 furnace, which are often used in mobile homes and RVs. Troubleshooting this type of furnace is easy, provided that you know the basics.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Rust remover Adjustable wrench Voltmeter Thermocouple
Rust remover
Adjustable wrench
Voltmeter
Thermocouple

Step 1

Remove the pilot burner located on the bottom of furnace and clean it, using a cleanser designed to remove rust. Even a small amount of rust or oxidation on the pilot burner can prevent it from working properly and cause the flame to appear weaker. Cleaning off the rust and other debris can increase the strength of the flame.

Step 2

Locate the gas valve, which connects the gas line directly to the furnace by way of a thermocouple. Often times the thermocouple becomes loose because of pressure caused by the furnace. A simple tightening of the thermocouple with a wrench can make the furnace work properly.

Step 3

Use a voltmeter to check the voltage put off by the thermocouple, which should be at least ten millivolts, and ideally closer to 15. If the thermocouple voltage is less than ten, you'll need to replace the part. These parts are fairly inexpensive and are available at most home improvement stores.

Step 4

Adjust the thermostat by turning the lower knob to off and removing the outer cover. Then you'll want to look for the anticipator and turn it to the right. This lets the furnace run for a longer period of time before it automatically shuts off. Then twist the knob to heat and the furnace should start back up.

Step 5

Ensure that the pilot light is lit. This is the easiest thing to fix: turn the furnace on, turn the gas valve on and press the knob while you slide a lit match towards the pilot light. Release the button after 30 seconds and make sure the pilot light is still lit.

Tips & Warnings

Keep the pilot light of your 7656 Coleman furnace lit year-round if possible. This reduces the chances of rust and oxidation building up in the surrounding areas.

Never do any repairs yourself unless you have the right tools. Hire a professional if you can, to reduce the chances of causing further damage to, or even breaking, your furnace.

Article Written By Jennifer Eblin

Jennifer Eblin has been a full-time freelance writer since 2006. Her work has appeared on several websites, including Tool Box Tales and Zonder. Eblin received a master's degree in historic preservation from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

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