Your Rheem water heater will stop supplying hot water when an error code pops up in the gas control valve. The 3 flashes error code is one of them. You must make it go away to get a steady hot water supply once again. So, how to fix Rheem water heater 3 flashing quickly?
You’d have to diagnose why it’s happening and take the right corrective actions. Having fixed many heater issues over the years, I can tell you that the main reasons behind this error code are:
- Faulty flue damper switch.
- Bad wiring.
- Defective flue damper motor.
- Clogged damper opening.
- Damaged flammable vapor sensor.
You’ll learn about all these issues in detail and how you can fix them in this guide. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
How To Fix Rheem Water Heater 3 Flashing [Gas Water Heaters]
I’ll look at the primary reasons behind Rheem’s water heater flashing blue light 3 times in this section.
01. Faulty Flue Damper Switch
The flue damper sends out the exhaust gases produced during combustion. If it doesn’t work properly, there will be issues with the heater. The flue damper switch must open and close as needed depending on the situation.
If the switch is stuck in an open or closed position, there will be issues with your heater. The heater won’t be able to get rid of the exhaust gases properly and the LED indicator can bring up the 3 flashes error code.
How To Fix:
There are many potential fixes here depending on what caused this issue. If the flue damper hasn’t been installed properly, you can install it in the right position to solve the issue.
But if you have a faulty flue damper switch, you’ll have to replace the flue damper assembly. Make sure you install it correctly so that you don’t face any issues with it anytime soon.
02. Bad Wiring
Another reason why the Rheem heater blinks blue 3 times is bad wiring. The most common culprit here is bad flue damper wiring and connections. So, start by inspecting them and making sure everything is nice and tight.
However, if other wiring components are damaged, that can also bring up the error code. So, you need to check all the wiring connections and see if there’s any fault in them.
How To Fix:
If any of the connections are loose, they must be tightened. If any of the wiring is corroded or damaged, it’ll have to be replaced. It may seem like a daunting task for an individual. So, you can hire an electrician for this job.
03. Defective Flue Damper Motor
The flue damper motor needs to be in optimal condition to draw the flue gases out. If it’s weak or malfunctioning in any way, the flue gases won’t go out properly. So, there will be issues with the combustion due to it and the 3 flashes code would pop up in the status light.
How To Fix:
If you have a weak or defective flue damper motor, you’ll have to replace it. As you may not find it as a separate unit, you’d most likely have to replace the entire flue damper assembly.
04. Clogged Damper Opening
You may have noticed a common pattern in this error code already. All of the reasons behind this error code have to do with the flue damper with this one is no exception.
The flue damper must always be free and clear of any debris. Otherwise, it won’t be able to get rid of the exhaust gases easily. So, there will be issues with the error code and the 3 flashes code will come up.
How To Fix:
First, make sure that there are no obstructions blocking the damper opening. It must be free and have clearance from other objects. Secondly, check if it’s dirty. If there is debris, you have to clean the damper opening. Hopefully, that’ll get rid of the error code.
As a general rule, you should practice checking the internal flue at regular periods and making sure it’s clean. Make sure the venting system is also free of any dirt or blockages. Once you do all that,
05. Damaged Flammable Vapor Sensor
The FVS is one of the most sensitive devices in your gas water heater. It can go bad if you tinker with it. When the FVS detects flammable vapors or gets damaged, it’ll put the heater in lockout mode. Sometimes, the 3 blue flashes error code can pop up because of it.
How To Fix:
You can try resetting the FVS first. The correct process of doing it depends on the gas valve you’re using. As you’re using a Honeywell valve, the process is super easy on those gas valves.
Check out my Rheem FVS reset guide to learn more about it. You can just scroll down to the section on Honeywell valves to get detailed instructions on resetting the FVS. But the FVS can also be faulty.
Resetting it won’t solve the issue in that case. You’ll have to replace it. A faulty FVS can also cause 7 flashes and 8 1 flashes error codes. I’ve already compiled a guide on the Rheem 8 1 flashes error code and how you can fix it.
You can learn how to replace the sensor from that guide. Make sure you reset the FVS after replacing it to get rid of the error code. Hopefully, you’ll no longer have any issues with your water heater after replacing the FVS properly.
How To Fix Rheem Water Heater 3 Flashing [Electric Units]
You’ll only see the Rheem water heater red light flashing 3 times in an electric heater. The control gas valves that give red lights don’t have this pattern of 3 flashes. Not all electric heaters will have this code. You’ll only see this code if your unit has an electric control as well.
The good news is that an error code comes up due to a simple issue. And that issue is not completely filling the tank with water. Solving this issue is also incredibly easy. First, you have to make sure that the tank is filled with water.
The heater won’t operate in this condition due to the error code. So, all you have to do is turn on the cold water supply and wait for the tank to fill up. Then, you’ll have to power cycle the heater.
Turn off the power to the water heater by flipping the circuit breaker. Wait for a while and turn it back on. You should wait for at least a couple of hours before using a hot water faucet after the tank is filled with water.
As a word of precaution, remember that the tank must be completely filled with water at all times. So, the cold water supply should always be on. If the tank isn’t filled with water, the heating element can short out.
The water can overheat and there may be scalding injuries. Even if it doesn’t lead to scalding, you’ll have to replace the faulty heating element.
All of this can be avoided by making sure that the heater has a constant source of cold water supply. So, don’t take unnecessary risks, and always keep the cold water supply valve open.
FAQs:
What to do if you find soot in the venting system?
If there’s soot, you should immediately stop operating the heater. Call your local gas supplier right away and have them send someone to fix the issue.
What causes Rheem water heater 6 3 flashes?
There are many potential issues behind the 6 3 flashes error code. The major ones are restriction of the air inlet openings, pilot light issues, and gas supply problems. You have to diagnose the cause and fix it.
Why is Rheem’s water heater flashing 8 times?
The 8 flashes error code indicates that there’s a fault pilot flame signal. The common culprits here are the thermocouple and the gas control thermostat.
Is the Rheem water heater status light blinking normally?
It depends on the gas control valve. If your valve has a status light that blinks red when there’s an issue, it blinks blue in normal operation. But for gas valves that always blink blue, one flash indicates pilot light issues.
Why is my Rheem water heater flashing a red light 7 times?
The red light flashing 3 times indicates gas control thermostat failure. You’d have to replace it to solve the issue. But if it blinks blue, that means the system is in a lockout. It could be due to detecting vapors, faulty FVS, or bad FVS wiring.
Conclusion
Not getting hot water at the time of need is a horrible feeling. The 3 flashes error code can shut off the operation of the heater and cause that issue. How to fix the Rheem water heater 3 flashing code?
You should know all about it now that you have completed the guide. Hopefully, it’ll be an easy fix and you’ll get hot water soon. You can also check out my Rheem 4 flashes error code guide if you’re interested.