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Could be a number of issues. The ignitor itself is known as a hot surface ignitor. It's controlled directly by the control board. But depending on your furnace model, there may be some conditions that need to happen before it will ignite. I don't think it's the ignitor itself, but possible the board or another sensor, or a blockage somewhere.
If you have a newer furnace (like 90%+), by opening the side panel, the power to the system will usually cut off, and by pressing the button to start the furnace, you essentially "rebooted" your furnace controller, hence why it may start everytime you open it up. These furnaces also usually have other sensors for pressure on the gas line, on the aux blower for combustion, etc. The controller board on these somtimes have some LEDs that will flash a certain sequence indicating the problem (like PC beep codes if you need an analogy), sometimes viewable from the outside of the furnace without taking off the cover (and removing the cover may clear the codes).
The newer furnaces also have dedicated plastic intake and exhause ususally on the side of the house, and at this time of year, things may "live" inside them like birds, and cause improper flow and sensed by the furnace.
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