Blower Stays On, Heat Does Not

[calibret]

Howdie. Thought you nice folks might be able to give me some advice.

I have a Carrier Gas Furnace (Super Saver 58SSB) that is about 19 yrs old. A few days ago, the relay started clicking non stop trying to light up the furnace. So I turned it off on the thermostat and the gas supply (middle of the night so I didn't want to deal with it). When I turn both on again, this time the pilot light won't even go on and usually the relay would start clicking and start igniting the flames into the burner. I light up the pilot manually (I know it is dangerous..) and got the pilot going (stayed on). However, the clicking from the relay is still missing and no ignition to fire up the burner ..... i could smell a little has ( not sure whether it is from the inlet valve or the pilot). If pilot stays on, does it means the thermocouple is okay?
The voltage to the blower control board was checked (120V) and the reset button was depressed. Is there anything else I should check prior to calling repair service?

On the flipside, I am seriously thinking of replacing the furnace and AC since the current furnace is averaging one outage a year requiring repair. My number one priority is reliability so choices are American Standard and Trane. Any suggestion which model to select?

Thanks a lot.

KT

[pushkins]

It might sound like a silly question but did you make sure the furnace door is closed correctly, it shouldn't light up if it's open.

I just had my HVAC guys install 4 furnaces in properties we own and my own private residence, we installed Westinghouse 2 stage furnaces at all locations.
The price was a little more than most furnaces but less than some others and we are more than happy with them at all locations.
At my private residence we noticed a saving on gas costs almost immediately by the running of stage 1 and stage 2. Stage 1 being just to hold the temperature at the set level and stage 2 is for dramatic temp. changes like friends coming over for dinner and the doors being opened frequently etc...

[hvacwiz]

The furnace you are talking about i believe has what is called a 3 wire pilot, the clickling you are hearing is coming from the from the gas valve because the pilot contacts are not making propery, there is no cleaning of this part and it will need to be replaced. your blower will turn on when a call for heat is present regardless if you have flame or not, blower is controled by timer on circuit board it will turn on automatically after 45-60 sec after call for heat and turn off 90 sec after call for heat ends.