Fixing Cell Arcing
If the cell (616-213-00) is sparking, determine the sparking area and removed cell to inspect closer. To see the sparking, you can remove the prefilter.
If necessary you can try viewing the sparking by removing the top cover and manually pressing the interlock switch. With lid off, caution the cell is live at 4200-8200 volts. Inspect the sparking area for bent plates or plates to close. The plates should be evenly spaced.
A cell that is sparking randomly throughout is uncommon but could be caused by a film left behind from washing. If tobacco is not cleaned from a cell it can build up and cause random sparking. Diesel fumes can cause problems and are not easily cleaned. High altitude can make the air cleaner more susceptible to sparking. The collector plates should be cleaned to the bare shiny metal (stained is okay).
If a cell is shorted and keeps the neon lamp from coming on, then inspect for damage. The most common short is from the aluminum dividers in between the ionizing wires. These dividers can get pushed in to the collector plates, they should not touch the plates. A dent across several plates causing them to touch would be a simple short to find. A dandling ionizing wire can cause a short.
