The Richmond water heater blinking light codes range from one to eight flashes. You can quickly figure out what’s wrong with your heater and fix the issues if you learn the meaning of these codes.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the common blinking codes for both gas and electric heaters. Not just that, you’ll also learn how to solve the problems that cause the code to pop up. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Richmond Water Heater Blinking Light Codes [Gas Heater Codes]
The status light in Richmond water heaters is great for informing the users about the condition of the water heater. You can look at the number of times the status light is flashing as well as its color and figure out what’s wrong with your heater.
In two instances, seeing the status light flash is completely okay. You won’t have to do anything to solve these blinking codes as it’s a part of the normal operation of the heater.
The first one is when you see the status light do a short flash every four seconds. It means that the heater has achieved the desired temperature and there’s no longer any call for heat. The burner will be off at this stage. You can raise the desired temperature if you want to turn the burner back on again.
Secondly, seeing the status light alternate between bright and dim also indicates that there are no issues. It means that the heater is calling for heat and it’s trying to achieve the desired temperature.
With that said, all the other blinking codes we’ll talk about here represent that something is wrong with your heater. Following this guide will help you narrow down the issues and get to a solution quickly.
Here are the most common Richmond water heater status light blinking codes in gas heaters:
1. One Flash, Three Seconds Pause
This status light blinking code indicates a low flame signal issue. It leads to an overall weak flame and you can’t get to your desired temperature. More often than not, this issue is caused by carbon deposits on the electrode.
If that’s not it, there’s a strong chance that there’s dirt build-up on the pilot tube. Besides that, a damaged gas supply or faulty pilot wiring can also cause this issue.
Solution:
Start by checking the gas pressure with the help of a manometer. If the gas supply line is damaged, replace it. Next, check the electrode and clean it if it has dirty and has a significant build-up of carbon deposits.
If doing it doesn’t solve the problem or the electrode wasn’t dirty in the first place, inspect the pilot tube for dirt. Poke it with a wire and try to get it out. If the pilot wiring is damaged, you’ll have to replace the pilot assembly.
Here’s a quick summary of what causes one flash and their fixes:
2. Two Flashes, Three Seconds Pause
It’s also a very common status light error code in Richmond heaters. It indicates that the pressure switch is stuck closed.
This problem usually happens due to the pressure switch tube being blocked or the pressure switch going bad.
Solution:
Start by making sure that the pressure wiring is okay and the hose is not bent out of shape. Correct the wiring and see if that solves the issue. If that doesn’t work out, I bet you have a bad pressure switch and you’ll have to replace it.
Here’s why you get two flashes from the status light of your heater and their fixes:
3. Three Flashes, Three Seconds Pause
This code also has to do with the pressure switch. While the previous code indicated that the pressure switch was stuck closed, the three flashes code represents that it’s stuck open.
This problem can also occur due to a bad pressure switch and blockage in the pressure tube switch. Besides that, it can also be the result of improper installation of the heater that leads to venting blockage.
If that’s not it, keep in mind that a faulty blower and a temperature switch that’s stuck open can also cause this status light blinking code.
Solution:
As you’ve seen, there are many potential reasons behind this error code and therefore, many possible fixes. Make sure that the wiring of the pressure switch is okay. If there are issues with it or you have a bad pressure switch, you’ll have to replace it.
If that wasn’t causing the issue, check the air intake. Remove any obstruction you find in it and make it free from any debris. Then, replace the blower temperature switch if the blower isn’t working properly. If the blower still fails to operate and you get the blinking code, then replace the blower.
Here’s the summary of the three flash issues:
4. Four Flashes, Three Seconds Pause
The status light in your Richmond water heater blinking four times indicates that the Thermal Cutoff Device has tripped. It’s a device that’s meant to protect the heater from overheating.
It shuts off the heater when the temperature reaches a certain extent. TCOs can get tripped when the tank is not completely filled with water. However, it can also be caused by a faulty thermostat.
Solution:
Reset the thermal switch using the gas control thermostat and ensure that it runs well. Double-check that you have a tank filled with water. If the TCO still gets tripped, you’ll have to replace the thermostat.
Here’s how you can deal with the four flashes blinking code and fix it:
5. Five Flashes, Three Seconds Pause
This status light code indicates that the system is in a lockout or the flame is out of sequence. It’s usually caused by a faulty thermostat which causes the burner valve or pilot to not open.
Solution:
Only the thermostat is to blame for this problem. So, it’s an easy fix when you face this problem. All you have to do is to replace the thermostat and the blinking codes will go away.
Here’s a shortcut on how to solve the five flash issue:
6. Six-One Flash Three Seconds Pause
This blinking light code indicates that the ignition has failed and the heater won’t light up. The most common reason behind it is having a poor gas supply that’s not sufficient to light the heater.
If the gas supply is fine, then it could be caused due to other issues of the pilot light that include wiring damage of the pilot tube, build-up of carbon deposits on the pilot electrode, as well as the pilot igniter wire being damaged.
Solution:
First things first – check the gas supply. Make sure that there are no gas leaks and that the gas is being supplied at the right pressure. If there are issues with it, fix them and see if the red blinking light goes away.
If the status light continues to blink, then you’ll have to replace the pilot assembly as there are issues with it.
Here’s a quick look at solving issues related to six-one flashes:
7. Six-Two Flash Three Seconds Pause
This error code indicates that the Recycle limit is reached with the pressure switch opened. It’s quite similar to the three flashes code we’ve discussed before and happens due to a lot of small reasons.
The main ones are poor installation, improper ventilation, blockage of the pressure switch tube, and incorrect blower operation. The only additional thing you need to be on the lookout for is whether there’s too much wind at the vent termination.
Solution:
The first thing you need to do is to make sure that the pressure switch wiring is okay. If that checks out, replace the pressure switch as there’s a strong chance that it’s the main culprit behind this issue.
Clear the air intake free from any debris. Inspect the vent termination as well and make sure that it’s following the regulations and that there’s no moisture on them. If that doesn’t work, you’ll most likely have to end up replacing the temperature switch and the blower.
Here’s how you can fix the six-two flashes issue in short:
8. Six-Three Flash Three Seconds Pause
When you see this blinking code from your status light, it indicates a loss of flame. There are several potential reasons behind it. The most common oneness is low gas pressure.
However, it can also happen due to pilot assembly issues like carbon deposits in the electrode and blockage in the pilot tube. The jacket holes can also be obstructed and cause this issue.
Solution:
Check the gas pressure with a manometer. If you don’t have it, get it checked by an expert. Fix the gas pressure if something is wrong with the gas supply and that’ll take care of this issue.
But if the gas pressure is fine and you still see the blinking status light, the next thing you need to check is the jacket holes. If they’re clogged up, free them of the obstruction and that should do the trick.
The last potential culprit behind the issue if unclogging the jacket holes don’t work is the pilot assembly. Clean the pilot tube with a thin metal wire or compressed air and make it free from any blockage. If the pilot still fails to light and you get the blinking code, replace the pilot assembly.
Here’s a quick look at solving six-three issues:
9. Six-Four Flash Three Seconds Pause
Seeing your Richmond water heater status light blinking 6 times followed by 4 times and then a pause of 3 seconds indicates that the heater has gone into a soft lockout.
The flame has gone out of sequence in this case and it happens when the gas control valve is stuck in the open position.
Solution:
This problem has a very specific solution – you have to replace the thermostat. That’ll make sure that the gas valve will no longer be stuck in the open position and you’ll be able to operate the heater smoothly.
Here’s how you can get rid of the six-four flashes issue in short:
10. Seven Flash Three Seconds Pause
This status blinking light code appears frequently in Richmond water heaters and it means that the flammable vapor sensor has locked out. It’s located right at the bottom of the unit.
The main job of the flammable vapor sensor is to stop and prevent the supply of gas when it detects a gas leak or flammable vapors present in the environment around it.
Unfortunately, the vapor sensor can also give faulty readings when it goes bad. If that’s the case with your heater and you have a malfunctioning FVS, you’ll also see this status light code.
Solution:
Any code that has anything to do with the FVS requires your full attention. Start very cautiously by checking out the area around the FVS and make sure that there are no harmful gases present.
Once you successfully rule that out, chances are that it was a faulty reading. Reset the heater and hopefully, that’ll get your heater to work again. Resetting the FVS on Richmond water heaters is pretty easy. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by turning off the water heater.
- Then, wait for 10 seconds and turn the heater back on.
- Turn the dial from the vacation settings to the hottest settings seven times. You need to be quick with this step and get it done in 30 seconds.
You can easily reset the FVS this way. However, if you have a faulty FVS, it can get tripped again. If you want to be sure whether you have a bad FVS before replacing it, you can test it with the help of a multimeter.
Follow these steps to test the flammable sensor of your Richmond water heater:
- The FVS is located at the bottom of the unit. Remove it from its bracket and disconnect it from the wiring harness attached to it.
- Attach the lead to the two terminals you see on the FVS.
- Measure the readings given by the multimeter.
If the value you get from the multimer is between 10k – 45k ohms, that means the FVS is fine. If it’s outside this range, you can be sure that it has gone bad. You’ll have to replace it if you want a permanent solution.
Here’s a quick summary of everything we discussed behind seven flashes and their fixes:
11. Eight-One Flash Three Seconds Pause
This is another status light blinking code that points to a faulty flammable vapor sensor. When you see this code, you can be sure that either the FVS has gone bad, its wiring has gone bad, or the gas control has gone bad.
Solution:
When you see this blinking code, you should know that the FVS is beyond resetting at this point. Start by replacing the sensor and the wiring. Check if that solves the problem.
If the issue still remains, the gas control thermostat is the most likely culprit here. Replace it and this eighty-one flash blinking code will disappear.
Here’s why you get the eight-one flashes and their fixes in a glance:
12. Eight-Two Flash Three Seconds Pause
This blinking light code indicates that a fault with the temperature sensor has been detected. The most likely culprit behind it is a faulty thermal well.
Solution:
Since the thermal well is at fault here, start by checking the wiring. If the wiring has gone bad, you need to fix it. But if the wiring is okay, then you need to replace the thermal well.
Here’s the summary of fixing the eight-two flashes:
13. Eight-Three Flash Three Seconds Pause
When there’s a fault detected with the electronics in the water heater, this blinking code will pop up. It indicates issues with either the thermal well or the gas control thermostat itself.
Solution:
Start by replacing the thermal well and see if the blinking code goes away. If it still persists, then you’re dealing with a faulty gas control thermostat and you’ll have to replace it.
Here’s how you can deal with the eight-three flashes in short:
14. Eight-Four Flash Three Seconds Pause
This blinking light code represents a problem with the gas valve. The gas control thermostat is at fault here.
Solution:
The first thing you can do to get rid of this code is to reset the gas control thermostat. If that doesn’t work, replace it and that’ll solve this issue.
Here’s a shortcut on how to solve the eight-four flash issue:
Richmond Water Heater Blinking Light Codes [Electric Heater Codes]
We’ve discussed the blinking light codes you’ll frequently occur in the Richmond gas water heaters. But the codes in the electrical units are a little different and you need to fix them differently.
Here’s a quick glance at these blinking codes and their solutions:
i). Solid Red Light
If the LED light in the heater stays solid red, it usually means one of these issues:
- The leak sensor has been disconnected.
- Shut off valve is failing to close.
- Communication error or issues with Wi-Fi connectivity.
- A leak has been detected.
Solution:
The way to fix this code depends on the reason that triggered it in the first place. First, open the lower element cavity and connect the leak sensor if it was disconnected. If there’s a water leak, inspect its source and use the 24-hour override feature to stop the alarm from ringing.
The next thing to check is whether the Wi-Fi is connected. The Wi-Fi LED light will also be red if you’re facing this issue. In fact, it’ll blink thrice and pause when there are connectivity issues.
The Wi-Fi will have to be reconnected if you switched to a new router or even changed the password. Press the Wi-Fi setup button and hold it for 5 seconds. The keypad will beep and you’ll be able to start setting up the Wi-Fi.
Finally, if doing all these things still doesn’t resolve the issue you’re facing, it’s time to call customer support and ask for their help. You’ve done the self-fixes you can do. Now, it’s time to bring in an expert.
ii). One Blink
When you see a red light blinking once in your Richmond electric water heater, it indicates issues with the lower thermistor. The first possibility is that there are wiring issues with it and it got disconnected. Otherwise, the lower thermistor itself has gone bad.
Solution:
Inspect the wiring of the thermistor. If it’s disconnected or the wiring is damaged, replace it. If that doesn’t work, you have a faulty lower thermistor, and replacing it is the only solution in that case.
iii). Two Blinks
There are many potential issues that can cause the red light to blink twice. Here’s the list of what leads to this problem:
- Water leakage and water touching the wick or rope sensor.
- Issues with the shutoff valve like it’s failing to open or close as needed.
Solution:
The first thing you should try is to check for water leakage. If you find no hot water in the pan, disconnect the rope sensor, dry it, and put it back on to get rid of the blinking light.
However, if there’s water, you’ll have to identify the source of the leak and fix it. The shutoff valve may also need to be replaced depending on the issue. Contact customer support if you feel overwhelmed by the job and need expert guidance.
iv). Three Blinks
It’s a simple warning that indicates that the tank isn’t filled with water. The good thing about these heaters is that they won’t work before filling the tank with water. Often, some parts will go bad in other heaters because of this issue.
Solution:
All you have to do to get rid of this error code is to make sure that the tank is completely filled with water and recycle the power to it. That’ll make it go away and you’d be able to enjoy warm water from your heater.
v). Four Blinks
We’re moving on to more serious issues and four blinks aren’t a good sign. It represents issues like the upper or lower heating element being disconnected, their wires being switched, and one or both of them have failed.
However, this issue can also be the result of the ECO getting tripped. It’s a safety device and it automatically breaks the power circuit to the heating element to prevent scalding.
Solution:
Start by checking whether the ECO has been tripped. It’s located right above the upper heating element. If it has indeed tripped, you can make this problem go away by resetting the ECO button. Here are the steps to do it:
- Turn off the heater.
- Remove the upper element protective cover at the top and the insulation.
- Locate the red reset button and then, press it.
- Put the insulation and cover back in their places.
- Turn the heater on.
That’ll get the ECO to reset. Make sure you hire a qualified technician to diagnose why it tripped in the first place to avoid injuries in the future. If that solves the issue, you’re good to go.
Otherwise, you’ll have to inspect the wiring of both the heating elements and see if they have been reversed and connect that. Make sure that the heating elements are connected to their wiring. One of the heating elements may have to be replaced if they’ve gone bad.
Follow these steps to replace a heating element in an electric heater if it has gone bad:
Step 01 – Drain The Tank
Switch off the circuit breakers that supply power to the heater. Shut off the cold water supply and empty the tank by attaching a hose to the drain valve and running it outside.
Drain the water all the way if you’re planning to replace the lower heating element. Otherwise, it’s fine to drain the water below the upper heating element.
Step 02 – Remove The Bad Heating Element
Take off the upper heating element access cover and fold the insulation.
Loosen the screws connected to the heating element and disconnect the wires. Unscrew the heating element and pull it out.
Step 03 – Install The New Heating Element
Put the new heating element in place of the old one. Tighten it firmly and connect it with the wires. Reverse-engineer the steps above and complete the installation.
That’s how you can replace it. Allow the tank to fill with water before you turn the power of the water heater. Otherwise, the heating element may go bad one more time.
vi). Five Blinks
The red light blinking five times on your Richmond electric water heater includes issues like a stuck relay on the upper or lower thermistor, conversion error, and failure of the upper thermistor.
Solution:
Depending on the problem you’re facing, you may have to replace the thermistor. You can check it with a multimeter and replace it if it has gone bad. Otherwise, call customer support for help with the other issues.
FAQs
What does 9 blinks on Richmond water heater mean?
In some Richmond gas heaters, the status light will blink 9 times. It means issues with the chamber sensor. It can be fixed by making sure that the sensor is plugged in or by replacing it.
How long does it take to replace the upper heating element in Richmond electric heaters?
As replacing the upper heating element in Richmond electric heaters is an easy job, it shouldn’t take more than 30-40 minutes if you know what you’re doing.
Is it okay to use the same vent for the heater along with other appliances?
Every water heater should have separate venting for it. Otherwise, you may face a lot of issues with it. Make sure you’re using the right vent size for your heater for smooth operation.
Can painting around the heater trigger the Flammable Vapor Sensor?
Yes, the FVS is quite sensitive and there are certain fumes released when painting that can trigger it. Luckily, you can easily reset it by pressing the red button. That’ll solve this issue.
Conclusion
We’ve discussed all the common Richmond water heater blinking light codes in this guide. Pay close attention to the status light to figure out what’s wrong. Hopefully, you’ll be easily able to diagnose the issue in your case and fix it as well with the help of this guide.
Let us know what turned out to be the problem. Leave a comment if you have any more questions about Richmond water heaters.
