I tried starting the stove for the first time this season and the Feed motor will not run in test mode. Exhaust fan and distribution blower runs but not feed, though the light does come on. I tested voltage to the motor and there wasn't any. I ran 110V to the motor direct and it worked fine.

Is this a control board issue or some sensor not allowing the feed motor to run?

I also tried an auto ignite, set feed rate to 4 (pellets) turned to stove temp and the igniter light came on and stayed on, but no ignition and still no feed motor though the light cycled on & off. Status light remained solid the whole time.

Thanks for any help.

Do you have a newer stove with the switch on the hopper lid?

It's a 2006. No switch on hopper lid that I can tell and I can remember watching the slide plate open and close once when running out of fuel and thinking that isn't very safe. So, I'm pretty sure there isn't a switch.

Have you checked for power at the pressure/vacuum switch?

I did now. After looking at the wiring diagram that should have been obvious. The vacuum switch does have 115V incoming so it is not switching "on" to turn the feed motor on. I have checked the door gaskets and I had cleaned the exhaust in the spring. Can I hook up a vacuum gauge to the tubing going to the switch and measure the vacuum to tell whether the switch is bad or the box isn't sealed? What are the specs?

Thank you all for the help!

More than likely it's the switch. Some stoves are very sensitive to vacuum, just make sure you have fuel in the hopper. If your gaskets are good then it's unlikely that your firebox isn't sealed. Are you sure it's clean, including the exhaust venting?

I'll clean the exhaust again to be sure then try to find a new switch if that doesn't work.


Thank you for the help!

You could apply vacuum to the switch and while doing that, test for continuity. This would tell you if the switch is bad.