Honeywell Water Heater Status Light Blinking Codes [Solved]

Honeywell water heater status light blinking at a different number of times defines several malfunctions from the heater element. For example, the status light blinking only once is a sign of normal operation. 

But if the status light flashes more than 1 time, it informs you that there’s something up with your water heater and needs your attention. The main errors defined by status light blinking are:

• Low thermopile voltage. 
• Excessive water temperature. 
• Gas control & temperature sensor failure.
• Extinguished pilot light.
• Stuck open pressure switch.
• Water leakage & Flammable vapor sensor error.

However, throughout this guide, we will explore how you will efficiently clear the error from the heater. Stay connected with us till the end.

Quick Solutions To Honeywell Water Heater Status Light Blinking

Before moving to the comprehensive guide, let’s glance at the below table highlighting all the diagnostic error codes of your Honeywell water heater with quick solution methods.

Blink Codes	Error Indication	Quick Solution
One Flash	Normal operation	> No need for any corrective actions
2 Flashes	Thermopile Voltage Low	> Test the thermopile voltage & replace the faulty one.
3 Blinks	An Open Draft Pressure Switch	> Clean the exhaust piping and condensate the drainage system. > Replace the bad draft pressure switch.
4 Blinks	Water Temperature Exceeded	> Reset the “High-Temperature Shutdown.”
5 Blinks	Temperature Sensor Failure	> Test the temperature sensor. > Replace the bad sensor.
6 Blinks	Water Leakage	> Tighten the drain valve. > Replace the faulty T&P relief valve. > Tighten the inlet & outlet connections.
7 Blinks	Gas Control Valve Failure	> Ensure all the electrical connections are secured. > Replace the bad gas control valve.
8 blinks	Flammable Vapor Sensor Error	> Reset the FVS if it is in lockout mode. > Test the FVS resistance.  > Replace the faulty FV sensor.
The status light blinks constantly	Pilot Light Gets Extinguished	> Relight the pilot light following the manual.

Honeywell Water Heater Status Light Codes [9 Blinks Solved]

Dealing with any status light blinking error of your water heater will seem easy as long as you will follow our extensive and quite effective guide. So, without any further ado, let’s start. 

Note: You can also read how to fix Honeywell hot water heater with no status light problem.

1. Status Light Blinking 1 Time

The status light flashes once every 3 seconds is a clear indication of the normal operation of the heater. The pilot is lit and the gas control valve operates normally.

But when you notice the status light blinking once intermittently every 3 seconds, it would be a call for heat under normal operation. 

Solution:

As this error code means the normal operation of the heater, thus you don’t need to take any significant action here. Just adjust the thermostat to the desired temperature setting. Plus, ensure that the gas control valve is turned to “Hot.”

2. Status Light Blinking 2 Times

The status light flashes 2 times means the thermopile voltage is low. Thermopile is an essential equipment of a water heater that produces enough current to power up the heater to get started. 

But the problem starts if the pilot light is on, and the thermopile fails to generate enough millivolts to keep the gas valve open. Chances are either the thermopile is broken or there are weak wiring connections.  

Solution:

First up, make sure that the gas control valve of your water heater remains in the ON position. Also, ensure that the thermopile connector is properly attached to the combination gas valve. 

Check for any accumulated debris in the electrical connectors. If all is okay, test the thermopile voltage following the steps below:

• Take a multimeter and set the voltage range to less than one millivolt. 
• Remove the thermopile wiring connector from the gas control.
• Connect the red positive lead to the red thermopile wire and the black lead to the white wire.
• Set the thermostat knob to the pilot light setting and hold down the igniter button. Keep holding it until the maximum voltage is reached. 
• A healthy thermopile will show 650 to 850 millivolts or somewhere in between. If it is below 450 millivolts, be sure the thermopile is defective, and you need to change it.

3. Status Light Blinking 3 Times

Flickering the light 3 times on the status light is the error indication of the stuck open draft pressure switch in the heater. 

The draft pressure switch is a safety element that senses the negative pressure from the draft motor and goes to the closed position. The process is quite necessary for the ignition system.

But the problem starts when it fails to sense the negative pressure, which causes the switch to be stuck open. The leading reasons for this issue are: 

• Blocked exhaust vent or air intake.
• Clogged condensate drainage system.
• Failure of the inducer fan motor.
• Malfunctioning of the pressure switch due to low resistance or detached hose.

Solution:

First off, you need to inspect the exhaust vent or air intake for any clogs. Clean it using a vent-cleaning brush. Clean the condensate drainage system as well if it is clogged by debris.

Once done, move to the inducer fan. Remove the stuck debris from the fan and also the fan motor. Ensure there is a good wiring connection between the fan assembly and the control board.

Straighten the kinked pressure switch vacuum tube. At times, you need to replace the faulty pressure switch. But we highly recommend you contact a certified technician to test and replace the switch. 

4. Status Light Blinking 4 Times

The status light blinks with 4 flashes telling you the excessive tank temperature. When your water heater detects high temperature from the system, it goes into “High-Temperature Shutdown” mode and stops producing hot water. 

The easiest fix for this error is resetting the “High-Temperature Shutdown” mode. It will let your water heater back into operation. 

How To Reset High-Temperature Shutdown On Water Heater?

Reset the high-temperature shutdown following the below simple steps:

• First, turn the temperature control knob to the “OFF” position. Wait 5 or 10 minutes to clear the unburned gas. 
• Then, set the knob to the “PILOT” position. Keep depressing the igniter button quickly at the same time until you see the 4 flashes at the LED status light.
• Once you see 4 flashes, turn the temperature control knob to the “VERY HOT” position immediately. Count 10 seconds.
• Then, set the knob to the “HOT” position for 10 seconds.
• Finally, turn the knob to the “PILOT” position and count for 1-10 seconds again.
• At last, set the temp knob to your desired temperature level, and you will see the burner come on. 

5. Status Light Blinking 5 Times

If your water heater flashes 5 blinks every 3 seconds, it signifies the temperature sensor failure of the honeywell water heater. Here either the temperature sensor is covered with sediment or the resistance is out of range. 

This mostly happens due to the mechanical separation between the resistor element and the lead material. Also, chances are the heater is overheating or the gas control valve stops working. 

Solution:

For the first step, you need to test the temperature sensor to figure out whether this element is defective or not. 

How To Test A Water Heater Temperature Sensor

Here are the needed steps included below to test the temp sensor:

Step 1: Initial disassembly

First, disassemble the gas control valve and access the temp sensor. But don’t detach the sensor from the water heater’s backplate.

Step 2: Prepare The Voltage Meter

Take a voltage meter and connect it to the pins on the plastic connectors. Use pin probes for the connection. Connect one pin probe to the center hole and the other one to the outside hole.

Step 3: Take The Resistance Reading

Now take a resistance reading. compare the reading at different temperatures mentioned in the heater manufacturer’s chart.

If the resistance reading is all right, be sure the temp sensor is not faulty rather than the gas control valve. Replace the bad gas valve.

On the contrary, if the reading is out of range, determine that the temp sensor is defective and needs quick replacement. 

6. Status Light Blinking 6 Times

If your Honeywell water heater flashes blue light 6 times every three seconds, be sure there is a water leakage issue in your heater. There are a few major reasons for the water leakage from the heater element. For instance:

• Faulty temperature and pressure relief valve
• Loosen or opened the drain valve
• Long-wearing and tearing in the water tank

Plus, there is a higher possibility of excessive water pressure or loosened inlet or outlet connection in this case. 

But there is nothing to worry about! We are handing over some quick but well-proved fixes for this blink. Let’s get to the solutions points. 

Solution:

• In the first step, find out, from where the water is leaking. Once you have found the leakage source, shut down the heater and gas shut-off valve immediately.
• If the water is leaking from the inlet and outlet connections, tighten the connection using a wrench.
• Next, check the drain valve. Ensure it is tightened. Replace the defective valve.
• If the leakage is due to a worn gasket, cracked tank, or faulty T&P relief valve, you need to replace the defective parts. It’s better to get the help of a certified plumber. 

7. Status Light Blinking 7 Times

Honeywell water heater status light blinking 7 times telling you the gas control valve has failed on the unit.

This blink might relate to faulty wiring or a defection on the gas valve connection. At times, the damaged gas control valve is the culprit itself for this blink. 

No hassle! Clearing the 7-blink error is not so tough as long as you will follow the below instructions:

Solution:

First up, check for any poor or shorted electrical connection goes to the gas control and fix them. If still there has the same blink, you have to replace the faulty gas control valve. 

How To Replace Honeywell Faulty Gas Control Valve?

Here is how you will replace the bad gas valve of your water heater by yourself:

• Shut off the gas supply valve and water supply line. Then, drain the remaining water in the unit.
• Next, remove all the lines connected to the gas control valve.
• Take out the burner assembly from your water heater. Take a  wrench and disconnect the old gas valve.
• Install the new gas control valve back in place. Then, connect all the lines to the control valve. Check for any leaks to the gas valve.
• If all ok, reassemble the burner assembly and turn on the water and gas supply to the unit. Hope that the 7 times blink error on your heater unit has been resolved.

8. Status Light Blinking 8 Times

8 blinks on the Honeywell water heater status light indicating the flammable vapor sensor error of the unit. This error occurs due to the following reasons:

• FVS might be in lockout mode after sensing the presence of flammable vapor nearby.
• Flammable vapor sensor resistance is out of range.
• Faulty FVS.
• Defective gas control valve.

Solution:

First, ensure the wiring harness to the FVS is secured and in working order. Replace the damaged ones. Plus, the FV sensor should be firmly snapped to the sensor cap. 

In case the heater is in a soft lockout mode, you just need to reset the FVS lockout to unlock the mode. 

How To Reset Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout

Here are the needed steps to reset the Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout In Water Heater:

• Shut down the heater and unplug it from the power connection.
• Wait for 10-20 minutes, and then plug it back again.
• Now move to the pilot light knob and flip the knob from Low to High. Then flip it from High to Low again. Repeat this step 5-6 times.
• The status light blinking will be clear from the heater.

If still there has the same error, you need to measure the voltage reading of the FVS. A healthy FVS will give a reading of 9K to 45K Ohms. 

If not, replace the faulty FVS, and the blink will be erased. At times, you need to replace the defective gas control valve. 

9. Status Light Blinking Constantly

When the pilot light gets extinguished, the water heater will start blinking red or green light constantly. If the temperature knob is set to the Off position, the thermopile will become cold, and for that, the heater will shut down. 

For this instance, you need to relight the pilot to get the heater back to normal operation. 

How To Relight The Pilot Light Of Water Heater

Go through the following steps to relight the pilot light:

Step 1: First up, set the temperature control to its lowest setting or the Off position.

Step 2: Pull out the outer door from your water heater. Leave the water heater in this position for five minutes. By this, the accumulated gas will easily clear out.

Step 3: Rotate the knob and set the thermostat knob to the Pilot position. Hold down the gas control knob all the way in.

Step 4: Keep depressing the piezo igniter button simultaneously until you hear a loud click, and the status indicator light will start blinking. When done, ensure the pilot is lit. If not, repeat the steps.

Step 5: Connect the outer door back into its place and release the knob. Rotate the knob to the ON position and set your desired temperature.

How To Reset Honeywell Gas Water Heater?

Resetting the Honeywell hot water heater is quite straightforward. It can be done simply by following the below methods: 

• First up, make sure the pilot light is turned on.
• If yes, rotate the control knob to the “very hot” position and wait for 10 seconds.
• Turn the pilot light knob to the “hot” position for 10 seconds.
• Finally, set the knob to the “pilot” position for 10 seconds and that’s all done! 

FAQ:

What should my Honeywell hot water heater temperature be set at?

It is essential to set within a specific range of temperatures for bacterial growth like Legionella and other microorganisms. As Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) recommendation, you need to set the heater to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius.

What are the temperature levels on the control valve of the Honeywell hot water heater?

The temperature ranges on the different labels of the heater control valve are: Low= 80-90°, Hot= 120°, A = 130°, B = 140°, C = 150°, and Very Hot = 160°

Wrapping Thoughts

The status light blinking on your water heater is a clear indication that your heater unit isn’t working properly. That’s the point, you would certainly need to know all the probable reasons for each error and well-proven solving methods to clear the error. 

No doubt to say that our guide has reached out to you with all the needed information regarding this fact. 

After thoroughly reading our complete guide, expect that you have no more queries left over on Honeywell water heater status light codes. Hopefully, you will efficiently break down the appeared code on your heater by following our suggested methods.

But still, if you have any more queries on any facts, don’t hesitate to let us know through comments. We’ll reach out to you ASAP.