Water heater does not start; display shows F.00 and burner never ignites
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 first: Switch the appliance OFF at the main power switch and isolate from the electrical supply. Close the gas isolation valve. Allow the unit to cool before opening the casing. Only a qualified gas engineer should work on gas-carrying components.
- Access the sensor: Remove the front cover of the Vaillant water heater according to the installation manual. Locate the flow temperature NTC sensor on the flow pipe/heat exchanger outlet (often clipped or screwed into a pocket).
- Visual inspection: Check the NTC body and wiring for damage, burns, or signs of moisture ingress. Ensure the plug is fully seated on the sensor and on the main PCB.
- Check resistance: With power OFF, disconnect the NTC and measure its resistance with a multimeter. Compare to Vaillant’s temperature/resistance chart (e.g. around 10 kΩ at 25°C – refer to the specific model manual). If reading is open circuit or far out of range, replace the sensor.
- Inspect wiring: Trace the cable from the NTC to the PCB. Look for pinched, cut, or rubbed-through insulation. Repair or replace the harness if continuity is not present.
- Reconnect and test: Refit or replace the NTC, reconnect all plugs, restore power and gas, then reset the appliance. Run hot water and check if F.00 clears and burner ignites normally.
- If fault persists: The sensor input on the main control board may be defective. Do not bypass the sensor. Contact an authorised Vaillant service technician to test and, if necessary, replace the PCB.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.