I would like to thank everyone who helped me out. It was a successful diagnosis and replacement. To highlight a few things along the way
1. Start with testing the 24V and 24V (GND) voltages. The key here was that while it started out with 28V, as soon as the spark ignition kicked in the voltage...
One more development, I had an identical unit so I tested the voltages on it, it's giving me a constant 28V on PV from the time the power is applied by the thermostat, up until the furnace lights up and remains constant at 28V (+- 0.5v)
Then I checked the voltage on this problem furnace, the...
Okay here are the results I've found so far:
When the thermostat sends a heat signal to the furnace
S8600M -> 24V terminal -> yes 29v
The inducer starts up, and the igniter starts clicking:
With Gas turned off -> S8600M -> PV Terminal -> 29V intermittent
The clicking continues for a long time...
How does the model know that the pilot flame is lit? I can't find any flame sensor here. Attaching a picture, it's got the Spark Wire (electric as you said), the GND wire and the Gas pilot tube. No flame sensor, what am I missing?
This problem started today, the motor comes on, about 20 seconds later I can hear a clicking and the sparks rattling away, it seems to ignite a pilot flame which burns for a 2 seconds and then it shuts off. And then the cycle repeats itself.
It's a Tempstar model NUGE075BG01. Attaching a link...