Some of these controllers sense the small electrical conductivity of a fire as a flame sensor. Since the fire is grounded, the flame sense ciccuot senses to earth ground. To do that, the conntroller needs a good earth ground and it gets that through the ac connection. All 3 wires of the ac connection have to be correct. The black has to be hot. The white neutral and the green or bare ground. Check that these 3 connections are correct, including the ground connection. Also chech that these is no sign of water on the electronics. Also chcck the flame sensorrobe wire is not shorted or has water.

Mark