It all depends on what you say is a "short" period. How long does the burner stay lit. THAT is the real answer to find your correct problem. You have to pull the furnace to do a correct diag and repair. You could have insect type nests on the burner that will allow spark ignition, but NOT return the ac signal to the control board. The odds are as the other poster stated, you have a defective spark electrode(cracked porcelain). Either way, you have to pull the furnace and pull the burner to verify. Doug