John Wood power vent water heater shows E004 and will not start; blower does not run
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Disconnect electrical power at the breaker and close the gas shutoff valve before servicing the blower.
- 1. Check power supply: Confirm the outlet or circuit feeding the heater has power using a plug-in tester or multimeter. Reset any tripped breaker.
- 2. Inspect wiring: Remove the access cover to the control area. Check the blower wiring harness for loose plugs, burnt connectors, or damaged insulation. Reseat all connectors firmly.
- 3. Test blower motor: With power disconnected, unplug the blower and measure motor winding resistance according to the service manual. An open circuit indicates a failed motor. Also spin the blower wheel by hand; it should turn freely without grinding.
- 4. Check control fuse: Some John Wood electronic controls include an inline or board-mounted fuse for the blower circuit. Inspect and replace with the exact same rating if blown. If it blows again immediately, suspect a shorted blower or wiring.
- 5. Control board output: If the blower tests good but never receives power when a call for heat is present, the control board may be defective and require replacement.
Note: Replacement of the blower assembly and control board should follow John Wood specifications to maintain safe venting performance.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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