Understanding Furnace Error Codes: Light Patterns, Meanings, and Potential Issues

Furnace error codes can be a frustrating and confusing thing to deal with, but understanding them is crucial for keeping your heating system running smoothly. In this blog post, we'll take a look at how to read furnace error codes for some of the most popular brands, including Goodman, Lennox, and Trane.
We will also explore the light patterns, meanings and potential issues associated with these codes.

Locate the LED light and note its blinking pattern to read a furnace error code. Be sure to count how many times the light flashes and note how quickly it blinks.
To determine what a particular light combination signifies, consult the installation guide for your particular furnace.

To help you out, here are some of the most common error codes that Edmonton homeowners will come across.

 

 

Goodman Furnace Error Codes:

The flashing LEDs on your furnace will correspond to a specific fault code that is shown here on their diagnostic chart.

Goodman is one of the biggest names in home heating and energy-efficient home comfort.

Goodman Manufacturing is an American company operating as an independent subsidiary of Daikin Group, the world's largest manufacturer of heating, ventilation and air conditioning products and systems. The company, founded in 1975 and based in Houston, Texas, manufactures residential heating and cooling systems.

Here are some common Goodman furnace fault codes you may come across.

Code

Meaning

Potential issues
1 flash Ignition error (retries exceeded) / Flame failure Faulty or dirty flame sensor, faulty igniter, gas supply interruption, etc.
2 flashes Pressure switch error (stuck closed) Short in the pressure switch circuit, faulty pressure switch, draft inducer not working, etc.
3 flashes Pressure switch error (stuck open) Blockage in pressure switch hose, pressure switch hose improperly connected, loose wiring, induced draft blower operating when it shouldn't be, etc.
4 flashes Open high limit Dirty filters, wiring issue, blockage in flue, etc.
5 flashes

Flame sensed with gas valve off (i.e. no call for heat)

Leaky gas valve, gas valve stuck open, defective flame sensor, etc.
6 flashes Open rollout switch Blocked or cracked heat exchanger, blocked vent, low gas pressure, etc.
7 flashes Low flame error Low gas pressure, faulty flame sensor, dirty flame sensor, etc.
8 flashes Ignitor error Faulty ignitor, ignitor not properly connected, wiring issues, etc.
9 flashes Open pressure switch, induced draft blower on Pressure switch hose cracked, blocked or improperly connected, faulty pressure switch, etc.
Continuous flashing Reversed polarity Issue with wiring

It's important to note that this is just a general guide and the error codes may vary depending on the model and age of your Carrier furnace. For more detailed information, check the owner's manual or contact a professional HVAC technician for assistance.

 

Trane Furnace Error Codes:

Trane furnaces use a two-digit code system to indicate an error. These codes can be found on the furnace's control panel and can usually be cleared by turning the system off and then back on again. Here's a table of some common Trane furnace error codes, their light patterns, meanings and potential issues:

Code

Meaning

Potential issues

Red light constant ON Control failure Control panel issue
Red light constant OFF Check Power Power off
2 blinks Flame failure (retries exceeded) Gas supply issue, flame rod not sensing flame, wiring issue, etc.
3 blinks Pressure switch problem Blockage in vent, condensate drain plugged, etc.
4 blinks Temperature switch problem / Over temperature limit logged Plugged filter, plugged secondary heat exchanger, ductwork issue, etc.
5 blinks

Flame sensed when no flame should be present

Leaky gas valve, stuck gas valve, defective flame sensor, etc.
6 blinks 115 VAC power reversed polarity, poor grounding Issue with line voltage polarity or wiring, etc.
7 blinks Gas valve circuit error Gas valve issue
8 blinks Low flame sense signal Flame sensor malfunction, low gas pressure, etc.
9 blinks Check igniter Check igniter

 

Carrier Furnace Error Codes:

When the furnace starts and shuts off after about 20-30 seconds, there is likely a problem with the proving of flame. When a furnace starts, it checks that the combustible gas is properly lit to avoid flooding the home with unlit gases and causing damage to the unit in the form of soot.

You may notice that there will be flames and then the unit shuts off after 20-30 seconds. If the problem is caused due to the gas delivery to the burners, then you may see no flames at all and the furnace shuts off after 20-30 seconds.

 

Code Meaning Potential issues
Constant ON Control has 24VAC power rapid
RAPID FLASHING Line voltage (115VAC) polarity reversed If twinned, refer to twinning kit instructions.
1 blink NO PREVIOUS CODE Stored status codes are erased when power (115VAC or 24VAC) to control is interrupted
or 48 hours after each fault is cleared.
2 blinks

BLOWER ON AFTER POWER UP (115VAC
or 24VAC)

The blower runs for 90 seconds if the unit is powered up during a call for heat (R-W closed)
3 blinks LIMIT OR FLAME ROLL-OUT SWITCH LOCKOUT Control will auto-reset after 3 hours. Reset the switch or replace the fuse link.
4 blinks IGNITION LOCKOUT Control will auto-reset after 3 hours.
2-1 blinks GAS HEATING LOCKOUT Control won’t auto-reset. Check for either a badly-wired gas valve or a defective control.
2-2 blinks ABNORMAL FLAME- PROVING SIGNAL Flame is proved while the gas valve is de-energized. Check for either a leaky or
stuck-open gas valve.
2-3 blinks THE PRESSURE SWITCH DIDN’T OPEN Check for an obstruction in the pressure tubing or a pressure switch that is stuck closed.
2-4 blinks THE SECONDARY VOLTAGE FUSE IS OPEN Check for a short circuit in the secondary voltage wiring.
3-1 blinks PRESSURE, DRAFT SAFEGUARD, AUX- LIMIT SWITCH DIDN’T CLOSE (OR REOPENED, DOWNFLOW ONLY) If open for longer than 5 minutes, the inducer will shut off for 15 minutes before retry. Check for: low inducer voltage; proper vent sizing; defective inducer motor; defective blower motor or capacitor; defective pressure switch; restricted vent; excessive wind, inadequate combustion air supply; or obstructed pressure tubing.
3-3 blinks LIMIT OR FLAME ROLL-OUT SWITCH IS OPEN If the switch is open for longer than 3 minutes, the code will change to #1-3. The flame roll-out switch requires a manual reset. Check for: defective blower motor or capacitor; dirty filter or restricted duct system; loose blower wheel; faulty switch or connections; or inadequate combustion air supply.
3-4 blinks IGNITION PROVING FAILURE Control will try three more times before lockout #1-4 will occur. If the flame signal is lost after the trial for the ignition period, the blower will come on for a 90-second recycle delay. Check for: build-up on the flame sensor; proper microamp distribution to the flame sensor; defective gas valve or turned off gas valve; faulty hot surface ignitor; low inlet gas pressure; the manual valve is shut off; continuity of control ground; low flame carryover or rough ignition; ungrounded flame sensor.

Although some of the Carrier furnace repair issues can be troubleshot on your own, it’s not a bad idea to contact a trained HVAC technician for some discrepancies.

Lennox Furnace Error Codes:

Lennox Furnaces are known for their reliability and efficiency, however, like any mechanical equipment, they can also experience issues. To make troubleshooting easy, Lennox Furnaces are designed to display error codes on the control panel when there is an issue with the system. Understanding these error codes is crucial for quickly identifying and resolving issues with your furnace. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the most common Lennox Furnace error codes,
their light patterns, meanings and potential issues.


 

 

Lennox furnaces use a two-digit code system to indicate an error. These codes can be found on the furnace's control panel, usually cleared by turning the system off and then back on again. Here's a table of some common Lennox furnace error codes, their light patterns, meanings, and potential issues:

Code

Meaning

Potential Issues

1 blink Pressure switch stuck closed The pressure switch is not able to detect proper airflow which can be due to a clogged air filter, a blocked vent or a faulty inducer motor
3 blinks Flame sensor not working The flame sensor is not able to detect the flame and could be due to a faulty flame sensor or ignition control module
4 blank Ignition failure The furnace is not able to ignite due to a faulty ignitor or gas valve
1 blink Pressure switch stuck open The pressure switch is not able to detect proper pressure, and could be caused by a blocked vent or a faulty inducer motor
3 blinks Limit switch open The limit switch is not able to detect proper temperature and could be caused by a faulty limit switch or malfunctioning thermocouple
4 blinks Draft inducer not working The draft inducer is responsible for drawing combustion gases out of the furnace and could be caused by a faulty draft inducer or blocked vent
1 blink Blocked vent Blocked vents can cause pressure switch issues as well as limit switch issues
3 blinks Ignition control problem A faulty ignition control module or a problem with the control circuit could be causing this error

It's important to note that this is just a general guide and the error codes may vary depending on the model and age of your Lennox furnace. If you are unsure about any of the error codes or troubleshooting methods, it is always best to refer to the owner's manual or contact a professional HVAC technician for assistance.

Preventing Error Codes

There are a few You can do a few things codes from occurring in your Lennox Furnace. The first and most important is regular maintenance. A professional HVAC technician can check your system for any potential issues and prevent them from becoming major problems. Additionally, you should also change your air filter every 1-3 months, depending on the usage of the furnace, to ensure proper airflow. Make sure that the venting system is clear of any obstruction, and that he outdoor vents are clear of any debris.

In conclusion, understanding Lennox Furnace error codes is essential for keeping your heating system running smoothly. By identifying and resolving issues quickly, you can prevent costly repairs and prolong the lifespan of your furnace. Always refer to the owner's manual or contact a professional HVAC technician for assistance if you are unsure about any error codes or troubleshooting methods.

Need Help with Your Furnace? Consult Our Furnace Repair Experts.
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