Flame Sensor Blinking or not Lighting Up

What's in This Article?

What to do if the flame sensor lights on the Flat Top Grill's control panel do not light up after ignition.

flatrock-flame_sensor.jpeg

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Symptoms

The grill's burner has a flame (by visually checking the flame holes), but the flame sensor LED indicator light above the burner knob doesn't turn on. 

Flame Holes.png

Possible Causes

  1. No power to the unit 
  2. Using a 9V battery to power the grill instead of outlet power
  3. Flame sensor isn't properly wired
  4. Flame sensor positioned incorrectly
  5. Faulty flame indicator LEDs or flame sensor

Resolution

  1. Make sure your flat top grill is plugged into an outlet (not using a 9V battery). 
  2. Turn on the griddle and verify the unit has power.
    • The Power Switch and the Traeger logo on the UI board should both light up.
    • The igniters should spark/click when pressing, IGNITE.
    • If having power problems, see Flat Top Grill not Turning On
  3. Run an LED Self Test to confirm the control panel LED lights are working.
    1. Press and hold the IGNITE and Calibration buttons for 5 seconds.
    2. Verify the fuel sensor calibration lights swipe back and forth.
    3. Press the calibration button.
    4. Verify the flame sensor LEDs swipe back and forth.
    5. Press the calibration button again to exit self test.
    6. If the fuel sensor lights don't turn on, contact Traeger Support to send possible replacement parts.
  4. Remove the cooktop.
  5. Confirm all three flame sensors are positioned correctly over where the flame comes from the burners.
    Flame_sensor_burner-positioning.png
    • Each flame sensor should be mounted next to the burner so the tip of the sensor is in the flame path, but not in contact with the burner.
      • A sensor that's touching the burner may results in the flame indicator LED always being on.
    • The flame sensor tip should be located about 1/4" above the burner.
  6. Confirm the flame sensor LED still doesn't turn on when igniting each burner.
    1. Ignite a single burner, confirming the flame sensor light turns on. The flame sensor light should turn on shortly after establishing a flame.
    2. Turn off the burner and repeat for each burner.
    3. When you find a flame exists at the burner associated with the unlit flame sensor.
  7. If the flame indicator LEDs flash during "Self Test" but still do not light up when the burner is lit, either there is an issue with the flame sensor or within the wiring connections.
    Use the following steps to check wiring connections to the flame sensors:
    1. Turn off and unplug the griddle. 
    2. Check the connection between the Flame Sensor to the Flame Sensor Harness.
      1. From the underside of the grill, find the flame sensor(s) that isn't turning on.
      2. Disconnect and reconnect the flame sensor harness from the flame sensor.
        • To disconnect, grip the opaque harness connection and pull away from the flame sensor. Reinstall by pushing the connector back onto the flame sensor. 
          Flame_sensor-connect-harness.jpeg
    3. Check the connection between the Flame Sensor Harness and the Motherboard.
      1. From underneath grill, find the control housing and remove the two thumb screws holding its access panel in place. Slide the panel toward the front of the grill, letting the housing panel drop to expose the motherboard.
      2. Disconnect and reconnect the flame sensor connection (labeled, Flame Rod Connector) on the motherboard.
        Flame_sensor_harness-motherboard-connection.jpeg
  8. With wiring connections verified and secured back in place, plug in, turn on and ignite the grill, checking if the flame sensor turns on. 

Blinking Flame Sensor LED

Symptoms

The grill's burner is lit (confirmed visually through the front igniting tubes, rear vent, or flame holes) but the indicator light is blinking or flashing. This most often occurs when the burner is set to low heat.

Possible Cause

The flame sensor is likely too far from the burner to consistently sense the flame with the burner set to low.

Resolution

Check the positioning of the flame sensor. 

  • Each flame sensor should be mounted next to the burner, so the tip of the sensor is in the flame path, but not in contact with the burner.
  • The flame sensor tip should be located about 1/4 inch above the burner. 

    Flame_sensor_burner-positioning.png
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