Heater shows E06 and will not respond to thermostat commands

Safety: Turn off power to the heater before removing any sensor or opening the control panel.

• Locate the water temperature sensor: It is typically threaded or inserted into the water manifold on Sta-Rite heaters.
• Inspect wiring: Check the sensor harness for cuts, rodent damage, or corroded connectors. Reseat the plug on the control board.
• Check sensor placement: Ensure the sensor bulb or probe is fully seated in the well and making good thermal contact. Some models use thermal paste; reapply if dried out.
• Test resistance: With power off, disconnect the sensor and measure resistance with a multimeter. Compare to Sta-Rite temperature/resistance chart. If readings are far off, the sensor is defective.
• Replace sensor: Install a new Sta-Rite water temperature sensor (thermistor), ensuring watertight sealing and proper insertion depth.