Boiler Help please

[L-Man]

Hi there folks, I'm hoping someone here can help me.

I have a Ferroli Optima 701 boiler and the central heating doesn't come on but the hot water is fine. After looking on here and at the manual I came to the conclusion that it was to do with the temperature sensor.

I then switched around the the little rectangular green thing (I'm sorry, I don't know what it's called) from the hot water sensor and plugged it into the C.H. sensor, and it did the trick (fixed the central heating but no hot water instead).

I would say I'm a very able amateur and am good at fixing/replacing things electrical and to do with plumbing. Obviously I'll call in a professional if it's anything to do with the gas but I'm fairly sure it's just a replacement of that one wire with the green thing on the end that plugs into the sensor.

My questions are:

What are those little green things called?
Can they be easily detached from the P.C.B.? (I haven't tried pulling it from the P.C.B.)
Should I do it myself?

Any help will be much appreciated. Thankyou in advance.

 

[penpusher]

The sensors are called thermistors and they cost about 15 quid, you need to drain the system/turn off mains cold water as they are located in wet-pockets.

Common fault with ferroli optima. replace both thermistors as it saves you doing it again in 6 months time

 

[L-Man]

Thanks for the reply penpusher.

So you don't think it's just a replacement of the wire from the P.C.B. Because I'd have thought if the problem was the sensor that is set in the pipe itself, switching the two wires wouldn't have made a difference.

 

[Dan Robinson]

He said change the thermister...

that is the sensor.

 

[L-Man]

Right, thanks Dan. Sorry for being a bit dense. So the thermistor is the thing that is set in the pipe with the little prongs sticking out, and THAT needs replacing, not the wire that runs from the P.C.B. board and plugs into it.

Just making sure I have it right. Thanks for your patience guys.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Yep - thats the puppy, do both at the same time and your troubles should be gone - until the next time that is....

 

[L-Man]

Ok. Thanks Dan and penpusher. I'll order the parts and replace them both the next chance I get.