Ruud furnace won't ignite
 

So the furnace isn't working.
I tried resetting the furnace, but that didn't work.
If i push the cover switch with my finger and watch the furnace attempt to run i find this occurring:

1.) The little fan starts running - it is like a circulation fan...think it is for circulating fumes out or something like that.
2.) I do hear a noise like the regulator is allowing gas to flow through it.
3.) The first time i did this the igniter sparked....HOWEVER This is where my real question is: The igniter is electric and looks like an oval coiled up type burner thing. Is this supposed to spark? or is it supposed to turn red like a stove burner? The second time i did this 'test' that igniter didn't do anything.

I am not sure how those igniters work. Any advice here would be helpful.

Thank you!

Haven't seen it .. If it's like most it is similar to a range. If it has 2 wires . You should be able to unplug it & check it with a meter

It is a HSI, hot surface igniter and is supposed to glow red hot. It just died as when they break they will spark once and then break completely. You can check the continuity of it with an ohmeter and it should be around 50-75 ohms. They are VERY fragile.

Yep you are exactly right. I ended up just taking the igniter out, and as soon as I turned it sideways it was obvious that was the problem. Got a new one for $43 and am good to go. It's now glowing bright.

Thanks for your response

Take a good look at the ventor fan housing (the unit that pushes the smoke to the chimney). Lots of Rheems/Ruuds had a black bakelite type and they crack and need replacing for safety reasons. The replacement is cast aluminum. Glad you got it going.