The 2 flashes error code pops up due to different reasons in different water heaters. In gas water heaters, it could come up due to low thermopile voltage or flue damper issues. It can also come up due to water leaks and shutoff valve issues in electric water heaters. So, how to fix Rheem water heater 2 flashing?
I’ll share the reasons and solutions for these types of Rheem heaters from my own experience. If you’re seeing the red 2 flashes code, you’d most likely have to replace the thermopile or the pilot assembly. For the blue 2 flashes error code, you’ll have to solve the flue damper issues.
Keep on reading this guide to find out more about these problems and learn about their fixes in detail. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
How To Fix Rheem Water Heater 2 Flashing [Gas Heater – Red Light]
Whether the Rheem water heater will flash red or blue light depends on the gas valve. Here’s a picture of the gas control valve that’ll flash the red light when there’s an error with the heater:
The two flash light code indicates that the pilot is lit but the thermopile still has low voltage. The main reasons behind the Rheem water heater flashing red light 2 times are:
i) Loose Thermopile
The thermopile needs to be connected tightly to the gas control thermostat. It’s a safety device to prevent gas supply when the water heater is not active. So, it makes sure that no unburned gas gets released into your home.
If the thermopile isn’t connected properly, then it won’t be able to send the proper signal to the gas valve. When the thermopile has low voltage, the gas valve will eventually stop supplying gas. This issue can bring up the 2 flashes error code on the LED indicator light. Eventually, the pilot light will also go out.
How To Fix:
The fix is simple – you have to make sure that the thermopile is connected tightly to the gas control thermostat. Inspect the connection first. Try to wiggle it to see if it’s loose. If the connection becomes detached, it is a weak connection. You should take it out and reconnect it in that case.
ii) Faulty Thermopile
If the thermopile is securely connected, the next likely scenario is that it’s faulty. The thermopile needs to send a small current to the gas control valve to keep it on. Otherwise, the gas control valve shuts off itself and the gas supply along with it.
The small current that the thermopile sends is between 650 – 850 millivolts. It’s less than that of a AA battery but it’s enough to power the gas control valve. But a faulty thermopile wouldn’t even produce that many millivolts. So, you’d end up seeing the Rheem water heater status light blinking twice.
How To Fix:
The first step you have to follow is to test the thermopile. You’ll need a multimeter to test it. If the test reveals that you have a bad thermopile, then you’ll have to replace it with a new one.
Luckily, my Rheem pilot light guide will help you with both testing and replacing the thermopile. Scroll to the section on “Thermopile Issues” to get the exact information you need.
iii) Pilot Light Issues
The pilot needs to be lit properly for the thermopile to produce the right voltage. If there are any issues with it, it’s obvious that the thermopile won’t be able to generate enough electricity.
There’s a lot that can go wrong with the pilot light. The pilot tube can be pinched, the pilot electrode can be clogged, and the pilot could be bent. So, pilot light issues may also inevitably lead to this 2 flashes error code.
How To Fix:
If there are any issues with your pilot assembly, you’ll have to replace it. You have two options for doing it – you can do it yourself or hire a mechanic. Even if you have little experience in working with these parts, I suggest you do the repair yourself. You’ll save a lot on labor costs.
Our Rheem heater 6 3 flashes guide has a detailed section on replacing the pilot assembly. You can follow the instructions there to replace it. But you can always hire a qualified technician if you have second thoughts about doing it on your own.
How To Fix Rheem Water Heater 2 Flashing [Gas Heater – Blue Light]
The status light in some Rheem gas water heaters will flash blue even when there’s an error code. Your heater will blink a blue light to signal an error if the gas control valve looks like this:
If you see the Rheem water heater status light blinking twice, it means that the system is in lockout mode. More often than not, it’s due to issues with the flue damper. The main culprits here are:
- The flue damper is not properly installed and seated.
- The flue damper switch is stuck closed.
- Debris or obstruction in the flue damper.
- The flue damper motor is defective.
You’ll have to diagnose what’s causing the issue and fix it. This 2 flashes error code is awfully similar to the 3 flashes error code. If you have a good idea of Rheem water heater blinking light codes, you’ll know what I am talking about.
I’ve already compiled a guide on the main reasons behind the 3 flashes error code along with their fixes. As both these codes are caused by the same reasons, the solutions shown there also apply here. You can follow that guide to solve this 2 flashes code and get your heater to work normally again.
How To Fix Rheem Water Heater 2 Flashing [Electric Units]
The Rheem electric heaters that have an electronic thermostat also show error codes when something is wrong with the heater. Flashing twice is one of the most common error codes in such heaters. The primary reasons behind this error code are:
i) Leaking Water
Water leaks from the tank or anywhere else is never a good sign. That’s why there are many safety mechanisms in place for when it happens. If the water leaks from the tank, it’ll most likely make contact with the rope or wick sensor. So, the LED indicator will blink twice to indicate this issue.
How To Fix:
Check the pan of your water heater to know if this is the issue. If you want water there, it confirms that water is leaking out of the tank. But if there is no water, you can disconnect the sensor, dry and reinstall it. Hopefully, that’ll reset the error code.
You may have to use the feature of overriding leak detection for 24 hours. Here’s how you deactivate the alarm and keep it from beeping for a day:
- Press on the “Clear Alarm” button for 1 second. You’ll hear the controller beep when you release the button.
- The beep of the alarm will be silenced. You’d be able to use the water heater for 24 hours.
- The “Service Need” indicator will be solid if the water heater detects another leak within this override period.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to resolve the underlying issue if you want the alarm to stop beeping for good. Otherwise, it’ll come on again once the 24-hour override time passes.
So, you should stop the source of the leak within this time if not’s coming from the tank. Make sure you clean the water around the water heater. You can use a fan to dry the water leaks around the heater faster.
You know what to do when there’s no water in the pan. But if there’s water in the pan, there’s a leak. You should call Rheem for service in that situation and they’ll guide you on what to do next.
ii) Shutoff Valve Error
There’s a leak detection device in these Rheem electric water heaters. When the device senses water, it shuts off the heating element and closes the shutoff valve. That’s how the shutoff valve works normally.
But the shutoff valve can go bad with time and there could be several issues with it. The 2 flashes error code can come up in the water heater due to those issues. The most common problems with this shutoff valve are:
- There’s an input error in the shutoff valve.
- The shutoff valve has failed to close.
- The shutoff valve has failed to reopen.
- The shutoff valve can’t complete the self-check.
How To Fix:
If the automatic shutoff valve is closed, you’d have to reopen it. You can press and rotate it counterclockwise until it stops. There’ll be an arrow that’ll point that the shutoff valve is in an open position.
If that doesn’t work or there are other issues with the shutoff valve, you’ll most likely have to replace it. You can do it yourself or call for service to send someone to help you out with this issue.
FAQs:
Why is my Rheem water heater’s red light flashing 4 times?
If you see the status light in your Rheem water heater blink 4 times, the device has shut down due to the high-temperature limit. Visit my Rheem 4 flashes guide to learn how to reset this error code.
What does Rheem’s water heater flashing 8 times mean?
The Rheem water heater flashes 8 times when there’s a false pilot flame signal. The issue could be with the pilot light, the thermocouple, or the flame sensor in most cases.
Where is the automatic shutoff valve located in Rheem electric heaters?
The automatic shutoff valve will be located at the top of the water heater in most units. You’ll find it at the connection point of the cold water supply line and the water heater’s tank.
What does Rheem water heater’s red light flashing 9 times mean?
Rheem water heater flashing 9 times normally indicates chamber sensor failure. Visit my guide on Rheem chamber sensor failure to learn how you can fix this issue.
Conclusion
How to fix Rheem water heater 2 flashing? Now, you know how to solve it in all heater types. No matter which type of gas control valve your gas water has, you should be able to solve this issue now.
Hopefully, it’ll be an easy fix and you’ll get the error code to go away in no time. Check out my Rheem 3 flashes guide in case it comes up in your heater and you want to learn how to solve it.