Rheem Furnace Repair Guide | Troubleshooting, Error Codes
1: Thermostat Problem:
Check to make sure the thermostat is calling for heat, if the thermostat is battery operated check to see if the batteries need to be replaced.
2: Main Circuit breaker Problem:
Next, make sure that there is power going to the furnace. Check to see if the furnace breaker is turned off or moved in the middle, if it is turned off you can simply turn it back ON and if it’s moved in the middle then you will turn it fully to the OFF position and then turn it back to ON position. This is how you can reset the breaker.
Note: if the breaker is tripped that means there is a possibility of a short circuit in the furnace or electric wire, you then should call an HVAC contractor immediately.
3: Furnace Error Codes:
Rheem Furnace Error Codes
Remove the front cover of the furnace. You will see the top and bottom compartments of the furnace. On the bottom compartment, you will find a see-through round glass. This see-through glass is to check the furnace fault codes. You can check how many times the LED either red or green or combinations of both lights are flashing. Note the flashing sequence and match it with the LED error codes given on the back of the furnace cover or on the user manual. It depends on what brand of furnace you have will have its own troubleshooting flow chart.
| FLAME LED | STATUS LED | REASON |
| OFF | No Flame Is Detected. | |
| RAPID FLASHES | Unexpected Flame. | |
| SLOW FLASHES | Marginal Flame Sense. | |
| Steady ON | Normal Flame Detected. | |
| Steady ON | Normal Fault detected. | |
| 1 FLASH | Ignition failure – 1 HR lockout (Check Igniter) | |
| 2 FLASHES | The pressure switch stuck open switch will not close when the inducer is on. Clean the pressure switch check the exhaust and intake flue venting. | |
| 3 FLASHES | The limit switch opens the main limit or roll-out control. Replace furnace filters. | |
| 4 FLASHES | The pressure switch stuck closed. The switch will not open. Clear the venting and clean the pressure switch, make sure the inducer motor is working. | |
| 5 FLASHES | Not applicable. | |
| 6 FLASHES | Line and Neutral reversed. Connect the power wires correctly, line to line and neutral to neutral. | |
| POWER LED FLASH | |
| OFF | No power (24VAC) to control board. |
| ON | Control is powered. |
| CFM LED | The CFM LED is an indication of target airflow. This is a reasonably close approximation of the airflow pushed by the blower motor through the furnace. |
| 1 FLASH | 100 CFM |
| HALF FLASH | 50 CFM |
| NOTE | When the flash sequence is complete, there will be a noticeable pause of approximately one second before the sequence repeats. For example, if eleven and one-half flashes are counted followed by a one-second pause, and then eleven and one-half blinks are counted again, the target airflow is approximately 1150 CFM. |
4: Inducer Motor Problem:
Once the thermostat calls for heat, the inducer motor comes on to make sure there is no restriction in the exhaust and intake vent. Inducer motors exhaust the flue gases out of your home when the furnace is working, if the inducer motor stops working your furnace also stops working.
The Inducer motor is located on the top compartment of the furnace.
A simple way to test the inducer motor is by touching it, if it feels too hot that means it’s burnt. Be careful when touching the motor, sometimes it becomes too hot and can burn your fingers.
5: Clear Your Furnace Vents For Blockage:
On High-efficiency furnaces check to see there is no restriction in front of exhaust and intake vent pipes. Sometimes snow piles up and blocks the exhaust or intake vent pipes, which causes the pressure switch to open. Pressure switch which senses negative pressure in the venting turns off the furnace. The furnace pressure switch ensures there is no blockage in vent pipes.
6: Igniter Problem:
- Standing Continuous Pilot
Pilot light out is the most common problem among older furnaces. These furnaces don’t have an Inducer motor. On a call for heat, the gas valve opens and passes the gas to the burners where a small pilot flame that stays ON all the time lights the main burners.
- Spark Igniter
Some high-efficiency furnaces have spark igniter to light the burners. On the call for heat once the inducer motor ensures safe operation then the circuit board sends a signal to spark igniter. It stops sparking after lightening the burners….
- Hot Surface Igniter (HSI)
Most high-efficiency furnaces have HSI. On the call for heat once the inducer motor ensures safe operation then the circuit board sends a signal to HSI. It glows and lights the burners and stops glowing after lighting the main burners.
(Note) Depending on which furnace you have, if you can see the pilot light, HSI glow, or hear a spark but the burners don’t come on then it’s a furnace Gas Valve, Circuit Board, or Gas related issue.
7: Flame Sensors Problem:
When the burners come ON a flame sensor proves the presence of a flame, without this flame sensor furnace would not know when a flame is present. Furnace’s short cycling is also one of the reasons for flame sensor failure. The circuit consists of a flame sensing rod at the opposite end of the burner assembly from the furnace gas manifold connection. The flame sensing rod is positioned in front of the last burner.
Causes of low or no flame current:
· Dirty flame rod
· Cracked ceramic insulator on flame sensing rod
· Cracked or broken flame sensing rod wire
· Poor furnace ground
· Reverse polarity of 115-volt power
· Low gas supply
8: Low Gas Pressure:
Normal L.P Gas pressure 10” to 12.5” W.C.
Normal Natural gas pressure is 7” to 11” W.C
Only a certified gas technician can check the gas pressures by using a manometer.
Check to make sure your gas supply is in the on position parallel to your gas supply line
9: Clogged Drain:
All high-efficiency furnaces are condensing also known as Category 4 furnaces. All the condensation collects in a collector box where the water exits through a drainpipe to the house drain. Check to see if the drain is clogged. Vacuum it with a shop vacuum to remove any blockage. If the drain gets clogged, it stops the furnace. It can also cause a short circuit of the circuit board, blower motor, poor air quality, and rusting of the furnace. This is why regular furnace maintenance does more than just keep them running.
10: Dirty Furnace Filter:
The furnace filter is also a major cause of furnace Blowing cold air.
The furnace filter is generally on the return duct right before the furnace. A dirty filter causes blockage of airflow. This results in a furnace overheating and shuts off too quickly before your house gets heated up.
It is recommended to replace the furnace filters every 2 to 3 months.