HeatingCodesGoodman and Amana furnace code EE0: lockout due to excessive retries or recycles
What EE0 means
Goodman's service manual for the ACVC96, AMVC96, GCVC96 and GMVC96 furnaces defines this code as Lockout due to excessive retries or recycles. The manual explains that "furnace lockout results when a furnace is unable to achieve ignition after three attempts during a single call for heat." In practice, that means the furnace is not heating and the three-character display on the control board shows EE0.
The first E is the display letter that precedes every alarm code. The alarm itself is E0, which is why the display reads E, E, 0. If you see Ed0, Eb0 or EC1 instead, those are different alarms. See the full Goodman alarm code table.
How the lockout resets
Goodman gives three ways the furnace can come out of lockout:
- Automatic reset: the control resets itself and tries to resume normal operation after a one-hour lockout period.
- Manual power interruption: interrupt the 115-volt power to the furnace.
- Manual thermostat cycle: lower the thermostat so there is no call for heat for a short time. The manual gives 1 to 20 seconds.
A reset only clears the lockout. It does not fix whatever stopped the flame. If EE0 returns after a restart, treat that as a real fault and stop resetting.
What Goodman lists as the causes
The manual's troubleshooting chart ties lockout to an excessive number of ignition retries and splits the causes into two groups. This list is written for a service technician.
| Situation | Causes listed by Goodman | Corrective action listed |
|---|---|---|
| Failure to establish flame | No gas to the burners, a front cover pressure switch stuck open, a bad igniter or igniter alignment, improper orifices, or a coated, oxidized or improperly connected flame sensor. | Locate and correct a gas interruption, check the front cover pressure switch, replace or realign the igniter, check the flame sense signal and sand the sensor if it is coated. |
| Loss of flame after it was established | An interrupted gas supply, lazy burner flames from improper gas pressure or a restriction in the flue or combustion air piping, the front cover pressure switch opening, or poor inducer blower performance. | Check flue piping for blockage, proper length, elbows and termination, and verify inducer blower performance. |
The same chart warns to turn power off before any repair and notes that the igniter is fragile and should be handled with care. Those are not do-it-yourself tasks on a gas appliance.
Safe checks before you call
These checks do not require opening the furnace. They help you tell a technician more, and in winter weather they sometimes explain the lockout.
Safe homeowner checks for Goodman furnace code EE0
- Check that gas is availableSee whether another gas appliance, such as a stove burner or gas water heater, is working. If none of them have gas, call your gas utility. If you smell gas, leave the house and call from outside.
- Look at the outdoor vent and intake pipesGoodman lists blocked flue piping as a cause of lost flame. From the ground, look at the white plastic vent and combustion air terminations and clear obvious snow, ice or leaves with a gloved hand or soft broom. Do not climb on a roof or take the pipes apart.
- Reset onceLower the thermostat for a few seconds so there is no call for heat, then set it back to heat. This is the manual thermostat cycle Goodman describes. Watch the display for the next cycle.
- Stop if EE0 returnsIf the code comes back, turn the thermostat off and call a heating technician. Repeated resets can hide a gas, igniter or venting problem.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Goodman furnace stay locked out on EE0?
Goodman says the control automatically resets after a one-hour lockout. You can also reset it sooner by interrupting power to the furnace or by briefly ending the call for heat at the thermostat.
Is EE0 the same as a flame sensor problem?
Not always. A dirty or oxidized flame sensor is one cause Goodman lists, but so are no gas, a bad igniter, a pressure switch problem and blocked venting. EE0 only tells you the control gave up after three tries.
Should I keep resetting the furnace until it works?
No. If it locks out again right away, something is preventing ignition. Repeatedly cycling a gas appliance that cannot light is not a fix, and the cause may involve gas or venting.
Sources
- RS6612023 Service and Troubleshooting: 34.5" Chassis ACVC96/AMVC96/GCVC96/GMVC96 Gas Furnaces (Goodman Manufacturing (Daikin)) Covers: Goodman and Amana 96% two-stage condensing furnaces in the 34.5" chassis.
Safety note: this page is general information drawn from the sources above. Gas, combustion and line-voltage repairs belong to a licensed professional. Your own equipment's label and manual take priority over anything here. Read the full disclaimer.