Lennox · Air handler
E105 Wiring issue / communication problem
What the control is telling you
Low-voltage wiring between components is compromised and a device cannot communicate (RSBus message errors, usually electrical noise). S30/S40 thermostat alert code 105 (shown as E105 on the unit control display).
Applies to: Lennox communicating air handlers and EIM-equipped indoor units in S30/S40 smart thermostat systems
Likely causes
- Unused thermostat wires left floating
- Loose terminals or poor splices
- Low-voltage wiring run beside high-voltage wiring
- Poor grounding
- Float switch or zoning wired into the comm circuit
- Induced voltage on the cable
Test and repair steps
- Check notification details in the dealer control center to see which device has the problem (review active and cleared alerts).
- Step 1 bundle all unused wires and run them to C at the indoor control; tighten terminals (3/32 in. / 2.4 mm slotted screwdriver); fix bad splices; separate low voltage from high voltage in walls/ceilings/floors; check grounding of line voltage, transformer and equipment.
- Step 2 disconnect all devices except thermostat-smart hub-indoor unit and add them back one at a time, recommissioning each time.
- If zoning is fed from the thermostat, run the wires from the zone control straight to the indoor control instead. For a float switch, use an isolation relay, and take the switch out of the circuit while testing.
- Measure each wire to C in AC volts 0.3 VAC or less is fine, up to 0.7 VAC moderate success, up to 1.2 VAC occasional success, over 1.2 VAC must be fixed.
- Step 3 run new wiring - 18/2 for R and C plus 18-22/2 shielded for i+/i- (shield/drain to indoor C only), or two separate 18/2 unshielded cables (one for R/C, one for i+/i-). S30 hub-to-display: same idea for +12V/-12V and A/B.
- Keep communication wiring at least 15 ft (4.6 m) from house wiring and large appliances when possible.
- Clears automatically once fixed.
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Source: Lennox Residential Communicating Systems Alert Code Guide (V2) 100017 (3/2023), Table 2 Alert Codes and Troubleshooting, p.14. Summarized in our own words; check the original manual for your model.
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