E17
American Water Heaters
Flame Signal Out of Range / Flame Instability
Electronic gas water heater shows E17; unit may lock out after sensing abnormal flame behavior.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Improper gas pressure, Partially blocked burner, Cross-contamination of combustion air, Faulty flame sensor circuit
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn off gas and power. Flame instability can lead to unsafe combustion.
- 1. Inspect burner: Remove the burner assembly and clean all ports with a soft brush and compressed air. Ensure no rust flakes or debris are present.
- 2. Check vent and intake: Verify that vent and intake terminations are properly spaced and not recirculating exhaust gases. Correct any installation issues.
- 3. Gas pressure check: Have a qualified technician measure inlet and manifold gas pressures. Adjustments should only be made by licensed personnel.
- 4. Clean flame sensor: As with E02, clean the flame sensor rod and verify good ground connection.
- 5. Control replacement: If flame is visually stable and pressures are correct but E17 persists, the control’s flame sensing circuitry may be defective and require replacement.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Main Burner Assembly
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