Rheem · Furnace

Flame LED slow blink Amber flame LED - marginal flame sense

Medium severity Rheem/Ruud 802P / 80MDP 80% two-stage furnace (UT 1028-928 IFC)R95PRheem (-)GRC/(-)GTC 90 PlusRheem 90RJ/90TJ 90 Plus

What the control is telling you

Amber flame LED blinking 1-4 times per second means a weak flame signal. Steady on = normal flame, off = no flame. See code 12.

Applies to: 802P/80MDP (802PA050-150); R95P (R95PA040-115); Rheem (-)GRC upflow and (-)GTC downflow/horizontal 90 Plus condensing gas furnaces (UT Electronic Controls 1012-925 / 1028-928 and Invensys ICC-H1MC7-01 IFC); Rheem 90RJ and 90TJ 90 Plus condensing gas furnaces (UT Electronic Controls 1012-925 or Invensys ICC-H1MC7-01 IFC, hot surface ignition)

Likely causes

  • Dirty flame sensor
  • Poor ground
  • Reversed polarity
  • R95P: twinned units out of phase (LED dim)
  • Dirty or oxidized flame sense rod
  • Poor ground on IFC or furnace
  • L1 and Neutral reversed
  • Bad wire/connection from flame rod to IFC
  • Poor flame carry-over or low gas pressure
  • Twinned units with transformers out of phase (flame LED dim)

Test and repair steps

  1. Clean the flame sensor and check its wire to the IFC.
  2. Check ground and L1/neutral polarity.
  3. Check gas pressure, flame contact with the rod and flame carry-over to all burners.
  4. See code 12.
  5. Warning: Hazardous line voltage - disconnect power before servicing; work must be done by a trained, qualified service technician.
  6. Clean the flame sense rod (sandpaper / steel wool) - recommended at the start of every heating season.
  7. Check the ground on the IFC and the unit.
  8. Check polarity between L1 and Neutral at the IFC and junction box.
  9. Check wire continuity from the flame sense rod to its pin on the IFC connector.
  10. Check that flame carries across all burners and that all burners stay lit; verify gas pressure.
  11. On twinned units confirm the transformers are in phase.

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Source: 802P: 92-24161-146-02, Flame Status LED, p.43, 51; R95P: Flame Status LED, p.90 (PDF p.94); Rheem (-)GRC/(-)GTC Installation Instructions 92-24161-88-00, Figure 56 IFC Troubleshooting Guide, p.54 (printed); Rheem 90RJ/90TJ Installation Instructions 92-24161-32-08, Figure 53 IFC Troubleshooting Guide, p.54 (printed p.53). Summarized in our own words; check the original manual for your model.

Homeowner looking at this code? See what it means for you and when to call a technician.

For licensed technicians. Gas, electrical and refrigerant work must be done by a qualified, licensed person. Shut off power and gas before servicing, never bypass a safety control, and follow the manufacturer’s manual for the exact model; it and local codes always take priority. HVACopedia is not affiliated with any manufacturer; brand and model names only identify the equipment.