Water heaters may be one of those plumbing fixtures that stays out of sight and out of mind for the majority of its working time, but when things begin to go wrong with an AO Smith water heater, effective and long-lasting solutions are needed in a very urgent manner.
If your AO Smith water heater isn’t working, complete a reset of the display panel, check for continuity within the pressure switch and within the fan of the blower, and be sure that no sediment is blocking the drain valve and thus, preventing the unit from draining.
An AO Smith water heater operates in one of the most independent ways, as there is very little maintenance that is ever required, very few moments where physical intervention is needed, and such a unit operates in a quiet and hard-to-notice manner. However, if you have an AO Smith water heater that is not working, read on below to find the exact issue you are having as well as various error codes that will help to resolve the issues your unit is facing.
AO Smith Water Heater Not Working
The water heater of any home or business is the silent, but essential plumbing fixture that makes for a comfortable and operable lifestyle by providing water to wash dishes, loads of laundry, provide hot showers and baths, keep pipes from freezing in the winter, among other daily tasks and activities. If you find that your AO Smith water heater is not working as it should and you need a solution, what can be done to troubleshoot and resolve such a problem?
If your AO Smith water heater isn’t working, complete a reset of the display panel, check for continuity within the pressure switch and within the fan of the blower, and be sure that no sediment is blocking the drain valve and thus, preventing the unit from draining.
AO Smith Water Heater Display Not Working
For those of you that have decided to upgrade your old water heater or have put a new heater into your new home or business, you may have decided to invest in an AO Smith water heater that has an electronic display. This display is capable of relaying various messages and codes which indicate to owners what exactly is going on within the device. If the display on your AO Smith water heater is not working, what can be done to restore function to this feature?
If your AO Smith Water heater display is not working, the display may need to be reset. To do this, disconnect power and press two temperature adjustment buttons on the display. You will then turn the gas control valve to ‘On,’ and release both buttons for 2 seconds.
Once you have released both buttons for 2 seconds, you will then press the same buttons once again until you see that all the icons on the display are no longer flashing and have steadied. Once you see this, the reset will have taken place and you should then be able to have control over the display.
AO Smith Water Heater Blower Not Working
When thinking about all the different functions of a water heater, people primarily go straight to the function of the pilot light and how this one mechanism works in a very major way for the unit. However, there are so many other working parts to an AO Smith water heater that are just as essential as the pilot to keep the unit running smoothly and effectively, such as the blower. If the blower on your AO Smith water heater is not working, what can be done?
If your AO Smith water heater blower isn’t working, it could be that the power switch is defective or has somehow gotten stuck. If the power switch does not open when the blower needs to start up, the blower will remain inoperable and thus, the power switch should be checked for function.
You can test the power switch by applying a multimeter and checking for voltage, but if you see that the power switch is operable, then you will have to move forward with more troubleshooting. Before going forward though, if the power switch does not have continuity, it will need to be replaced. Outside of this issue, test to see that the fan of the blower has voltage and if it does not have voltage and is not spinning, the fan will need to be replaced.
AO Smith Water Heater Fan Keeps Running
The fan, or blower, on an AO Smith water heater should be a piece that is only used intermittently. This aspect of the water heater actually works to keep the water heater from overheating, as the exhaust and any excess heat blows through the exhaust vent. Although an essential function of an AO Smith water heater, the fan should not run constantly and if the fan on your heater is doing so, something is off within the unit.
If your AO Smith water heater fan keeps running, the pressure switch may not be operating as it should. If the pressure switch is not opening or closing along with the use of the water heater, this can cause the fan to run constantly without stopping when the heater is essentially dormant.
To toggle the pressure switch, you can gently tap on it to see if this gets it out of a jammed position and be sure to remove any debris that may be surrounding the switch. Avoid blowing on the switch, as this can cause debris to pile within the cracks of the switch thus causing it to jam even further. You can also test the switch for continuity with a multimeter and if voltage is present and the switch is not operating as it should, it will need to be replaced.
AO Smith Water Heater Not Draining
A hot water heater does not drain off any used water, but only works as the supply unit for the water that is supplied to your home or business, however, there are a few reasons owners may find themselves needing to drain their unit to combat issues or just for general maintenance. If you go to drain your AO Smith water heater and it will not drain, what might the cause of this hold up and what can be done to get the water draining quickly?
If your AO Smith water heater isn’t draining, this is likely caused by a clogged drain valve. To clean a clogged drain valve, close the valve and insert a stiff wire to loosen the debris blocking the valve with a bucket or towels beneath. If unclogged, water will begin to flow out of the valve.
You may be wondering why sediment would be at the bottom of your water heater, as this is only an out source of water rather than an input. Over time, sediment will accrue at the bottom of the water heater which is caused by minerals that have been separated from the water and have settled at the bottom of the unit. If a significant amount has piled up, this may cause the drain valve to clog and will cause difficulty draining the unit until unclogged.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code 111
An error code of 111 on an AO Smith water heater indicates there is an ignition failure. To resolve this issue, confirm that there are no broken or loose connections, no soot or rust on the flame rod, that the computer board is intact and free of damage, and that the Hi-limit switch is operating.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code 121
An error code of 121 on an AO Smith water heater indicates flame loss. To resolve this issue, turn the gas control knob to ‘Off’ and allow the room to air out for 10 minutes. Once passed, set the knob to ‘Pilot,’ hold down the red ‘Set’ button as well as the ignitor, and light the pilot.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code ECC
An error code of 121 on an AO Smith water heater indicates that the heat pump compressor is not operating. This either means that the compressor needs to be repaired, repositioned, or replaced depending on the issue this piece is facing.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code 991
An error code of 991 on an AO Smith water heater indicates that there is abnormal combustion which is caused by either an obstructed exhaust or an air intake that is insufficient. Be sure no obstructions are present and that the pilot area has enough ventilation.
It is important to note that a pilot light needs enough ventilation to provide combustible air, but not so much that the airflow will cause the light to go out over and over. Obstructions that should be removed include debris that may be surrounding either of these areas or even items that are so close to the water heater that they could prevent the proper flow of air.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code e04
The AO Smith E4 error code typically indicates a water flow issue. This can be caused by a blockage or restriction in the water flow path. To resolve this, check and clean the inlet filters and ensure there are no kinks or blockages in the water lines. Ensure the water pressure is within the acceptable range for the heater, as too low or too high pressure can trigger this error.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 5, 2022.
Another reason for the E4 error code could be a malfunctioning flow sensor. The flow sensor monitors the rate of water flow and can trigger the E4 code if it detects an irregularity. To address this, inspect the flow sensor for any signs of damage or malfunction. Cleaning the sensor or reseating its connections can often resolve the issue. If the sensor is damaged, replacing it may be necessary.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code e02
An error code of e02 on an AO Smith water heater indicates either a bad thermostat, a defective computer board, or that the computer module has connectors that have burnt out. These parts can be tested for continuity and if no continuity is present, whichever is defective will need to be replaced.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code be1
An error code of be1 on an AO Smith water heater indicates ignition failure. This means that the pilot was not able to light and thus, the ignitor should be tested for function. If voltage is coming to the ignitor and it is not glowing, this indicates that the ignitor is defective.
AO Smith Water Heater Error Code e03
An error code of e03 on an AO Smith water heater indicates a low water level within the unit. To resolve this issue, turn off the unit and open a hot water spout somewhere in the home and leave it running. When the water has stopped sputtering and is flowing well, return power to the unit.
If you go through this process, return power to the unit, and notice that the e03 code is still displaying, this could be an indication that there is a faulty sensor within the water heater. Sensors can be tested manually, but they can be difficult to find, as these parts are not accessible on the surface of the unit. If you suspect this is the case and do not have much experience, call a repairman to inspect the unit and have any faulty sensors replaced.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 5, 2022.
If your AO Smith water heater is not working, this could be an indication of an ignition failure, flame loss, a heat pump compressor that is not working, a bad thermostat, a computer module with burnt connectors, a defective computer board, or that the water level is too low.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 5, 2022.