Every Machine Has a Sequence — You Just Have to Look for It

Every machine — no matter how simple or advanced — runs on a logical sequence. One step triggers the next, which triggers the next. This flow is what makes the system operate correctly.

When something breaks, it’s because one of those steps didn’t happen.

That’s the heart of troubleshooting: not guessing what might be wrong, but observing where in the sequence things stopped. The better you understand that sequence, the faster and more accurately you can find the problem.

Gas Furnace That Doesn't Start

Most people don’t know this, but even a typical home furnace has a very specific order of operations. When you turn up the thermostat, the system doesn’t just “turn on” — it follows a chain of steps:

1. The thermostat sends a signal to the control board.

2. The inducer fan starts, drawing air through the heat exchanger.

3. A pressure switch checks if airflow is present.

4. If airflow is confirmed, the igniter begins to heat up.

5. Once the igniter reaches the right temperature, the gas valve opens.

6. Gas flows to the burner and ignites.

7. A flame sensor detects the flame.

8. The blower turns on to push warm air through the house.

That’s a sequence. Each step depends on the one before it.

If a furnace doesn’t produce heat, and you understand this chain, you can walk through each step logically:

Is the inducer fan spinning?

Is the pressure switch closing?

Is the igniter glowing?

Is gas flowing?

Is the flame sensor detecting it?

At some point, you’ll find the step that didn’t happen. That’s your missing piece.

Why This Approach Matters

Most people jump straight to solutions. They start replacing parts or Googling “furnace not heating” and throw money at the problem. But if you take a breath and break down the sequence, you can isolate the failure without wasting time or money.

This isn’t just true for furnaces. The concept applies to everything:

• A dishwasher that won’t run? It has a door switch, water fill, heating, wash cycle, and drain sequence.
• A car that won’t start? It follows steps like key signal, battery power, starter engagement, fuel delivery, and spark.
• A 3D printer failing mid-print? It’s running on precise movement and sensor feedback systems — each with its own sequence.

All of these systems rely on order. If you can spot that order, you can spot the break.

The Method Is the Mindset

This is exactly why The Internet Method focuses so heavily on breaking things down:

First, identify the symptom (Why do I think there’s a problem?)

Then, understand the normal sequence (What is needed for normal operation?)

Finally, find the missing step (Which needed item is missing?)

You don’t have to be a tech expert to do this. The goal is to train yourself to think like a troubleshooter — not a guesser.

Learning to use a multimeter is important. Knowing what each wire does is helpful. But none of that matters if you haven’t slowed down long enough to figure out what’s supposed to happen in the first place.

Machines are predictable. Sequences are reliable. When you stop and look for the order, the answer almost always reveals itself.

Ready to go deeper?

My book I Will Teach You to Fix Anything breaks down the Internet Method step-by-step and shows you how to troubleshoot anything with confidence — no experience required.

It’s not a repair manual. It’s a mindset manual.