Rheem · Furnace
Flame LED slow blink Amber flame LED - marginal flame sense
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
- Clean the flame sensor and check its wire to the IFC.
- Check ground and L1/neutral polarity.
- Check gas pressure, flame contact with the rod and flame carry-over to all burners.
- See code 12.
- Warning: Hazardous line voltage - disconnect power before servicing; work must be done by a trained, qualified service technician.
- Clean the flame sense rod (sandpaper / steel wool) - recommended at the start of every heating season.
- Check the ground on the IFC and the unit.
- Check polarity between L1 and Neutral at the IFC and junction box.
- Check wire continuity from the flame sense rod to its pin on the IFC connector.
- Check that flame carries across all burners and that all burners stay lit; verify gas pressure.
- On twinned units confirm the transformers are in phase.
Settings for these units
- Filter sizes (Table 12) · Rheem 90RJ/90TJ 90 Plus
- Minimum clearance to combustibles · Rheem 90RJ/90TJ 90 Plus
- Filter sizes (Table 9) · Rheem (-)GRC/(-)GTC 90 Plus
- Minimum clearance to combustibles · Rheem (-)GRC/(-)GTC 90 Plus
- Clearance to combustibles (all models) · R95P
- Reduced clearance to combustibles, upflow/horizontal (Fig. 4) · Rheem/Ruud 802P / 80MDP 80% two-stage furnace (UT 1028-928 IFC)
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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.
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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.