Honeywell Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout Reset [Solved]

This is a complete guide on Honeywell Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout Reset. In this article, I am going to break down: 

• What does flammable vapor sensor lockout mean?
• How to reset flammable vapor sensor lockout? 
• How do you test a flammable vapor sensor?

Without further ado, let’s get started. 

Table of Contents

• What Does Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout Mean? 
• Honeywell Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout Reset: [How To Step]
• How Do You Test A FV (Flammable Vapor) Sensor?
• End-Note 

What Does Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout Mean?

Flammable vapor sensor lockout means the flammable vapor sensor senses flammable objects near or around the unit. On a Honeywell Gas Control Valve, the status light will blink 7 times every 3 seconds if the unit goes into the vapor sensor lockout mode. 

Now, the question that may spin around your mind is- what causes the Honeywell water heater to go into the ‘Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout’ status? 

In most cases, I found the status light flashes 7 times if there is a flammable object like thinner, paint, or debris around the vapor sensor. Just clean the drippings that come out of the flammable vapor sensor. 

Honeywell Flammable Vapor Sensor Lockout Reset: [How To Step]

Follow the below steps to learn how to reset flammable vapor sensor on Honeywell: 

• Take a towel or cloth to clean the flammable objects on and around the unit. 

• Unplug the unit from the electric outlet for 5 seconds. Then, plug it again. 

• Turn the gas control knob from the low setting to the Very Hot position and  count 10 seconds. 

• Set the gas control knob from the Very Hot to Hot position and leave the knob there for 10 seconds. 

• Then, turn the gas control knob to Pilot position and count another 10 seconds. 

• Finally, set the gas control knob to your desired temperature settings, which will reset the flammable vapor sensor lockout successfully. 

How Do You Test A FV (Flammable Vapor) Sensor?

A flammable vapor sensor has a resistance level that is under the minimum setpoint of the gas valve. The resistance level of a functioning FV sensor is between 11k to 45k Ohm. If the resistance goes out of range, you must replace the FV sensor. 

Now, let’s see how you can test the FV sensor electrically: 

• Remove the flammable vapor sensor from its bracket on the base ring of the unit. Detach two wires from the sensor. 

• Get a multimeter and attach the two leads between the two wiring terminals of the sensor. 

• Note the resistance value. If the resistance level goes out of range, the FV sensor is at fault. 

End-Note

Your water heater will not work or deliver no hot water if it goes into the flammable vapor sensor lockout mode. It will give the hot water when you reset the lockout condition. 

Just turn the gas control knob from the lowest setting to Very Hot (keep it there for 10 seconds). Then, turn the knob down to Hot for another 10 seconds. Next, set the gas control knob to Pilot for 10 seconds. Finally, set the knob to your desired temp setting that will reset the FV sensor lockout successfully. 

However, if resetting the FV sensor doesn’t bring any luck for you, the sensor itself gets faulty. Just replace the sensor and reset it again. I hope it will deactivate the flammable vapor sensor lockout condition. 

Read Also:

• Honeywell Water Heater Status Light Codes