What can a malfunctioning flame sensor lead to?

A malfunctioning flame sensor can lead to intermittent heating issues because the flame sensor is a critical component that detects the presence of the flame in gas appliances. When the sensor is working properly, it ensures that the gas valve remains open only when there is a flame, allowing for stable and consistent heating. If the flame sensor fails or is not functioning correctly, it may not properly detect the flame, causing the gas valve to close intermittently. This results in the appliance experiencing regular fluctuations in heating, as the flame may go out unexpectedly or the gas may be cut off to prevent conditions that could lead to unsafe situations.

In this scenario, while constant flame output could suggest a properly functioning system, a malfunctioning sensor specifically disrupts that consistency, leading to the heating issues. Similarly, gas leakage or increased gas consumption are more closely related to other system failures or improper setups rather than directly linked to the performance of the flame sensor. Thus, the primary concern with a malfunctioning flame sensor is indeed the resulting intermittent heating issues.