Oil Burner Questions

[Tweed]

Howdy.

I'm trying to fix my oil burner.
So, as far as I'm aware the controller operates like this:
1. Power on & electrodes spark.
2. Photo sensor detects spark & controller powers fan & oil pump together as they are coupled.

Now, I don't know at which stage the oil pump valve is activated. Presumably stage 2 but if someone can enlighten me I'd appreciate it.

The question is, would the controller cut out if the fan failed to operate? Does it detect this? Because, after pushing reset button, the ignition spark operates, after a few seconds a click is heard from control box, a few seconds later it cuts out. I'm pretty sure the fault does not lie with the photo sensor. I can usually get it to work after taking it apart & putting it back together again but it still fails after a few hours.
Any thoughts?

[buildersmate]

If you don't get any joy here, you might need to put this question onto a specialist forum such as this -
http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/central-heating-forum/18413-oil-boiler-fault.html

That's what I'd do - though I don't muck around with my oil burner. Post the make of the burner (rather than the boiler).

[Tweed]

Thanks a lot for that buildersmate, I may give it a go. I think as long as you don't touch the nozzle or adjust the pump pressure you won't do too much harm, besides, it's a fairly old system, I have lots of oil in the tank and want to get the last out of it as I'll be updating or going to gas soon. But to sum up, the question is: Why would the controller lock out if there was a ignition spark and the photo sensor is working? The fan/pump does not start. Would the controller detect the pump not operating due to a bad connection for example and lock out?

[ELVIS68]

Sounds like a water flow problem to me

[Toureman]

There is so many faults that can occur that unless you have the knowledge and a dedicated program in a laptop you are unlikely to find out what part needs repairing!

[Tweed]

Thanks for all your answers folks. Have found the problem.