A warm shower in the evening helps you relax after a long and exhausting day. However, frustration can arise if your Navien water heater isn’t working properly. Your Navien E003 error code means you will only get cold water.
Keep reading to uncover all the possible causes behind this blinking error and reliable ways to get your steady flow of warm water back.
Before revealing the potential causes behind this Navien E003 error code, let’s find out the most commonly affected heater models:
Tankless Water Heaters:
- NPE-240A
- NPE-A240
- NPE-A180NPE-A210
- NPE-RA240
- NPE-RA180
- NPE-T240
- NPE-T180
- LTX-15A
- LTX-18A
- NV240E
- NV180E
Combi Navien Boilers:
- NCB-H/E240
- NCB-H/E180
- NCH-P240
- NCH-240
- NCH-180
What Does E003 Mean On Navien Water Heater?
- Meaning: When you notice a blinking E003 on your Navien heater, you should know it has ignition failure. This problem is associated with the burner assembly. When this component malfunctions, it prevents hot water production.
- Safety Feature: With stuck unburned gas, there is a potential fire hazard. By preventing the heater’s operation, this blinking code acts as a safety mechanism. Moreover, this code protects against carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Impact on Use: Once you notice this code, you will lose the flow of hot or warm water in both your taps and showers.
- Warning Signs: Besides the obvious error code, you might hear unusual noises during ignition or a weak pilot light. Also, you may notice a gradual decrease in hot water supply.
- Importance of Addressing: Ignoring the E003 error is connected with multiple safety risks and internal damage to your water heater. Taking fast action ensures safe operation and restores your hot water comfort.
Why Does Your Navien Water Heater Throw an E003 Code?
If your Navien’s tankless water heater doesn’t burn its gas correctly, blinking Navien’s error codes will be the least of your concerns. There will be a shortage of hot water and serious safety risks. A malfunctioning burner assembly is likely to be blamed in this case. Here are some of the reasons why it may malfunction:
1. Inconsistent Gas Supply
There are various reasons behind inconsistent or insufficient gas supply in your Navien water heater. Besides a closed gas valve, there could be an empty natural gas cylinder or propane tank. Also, the problem may stem from insufficient gas pressure within the unit.
2. Problematic Igniter
The igniter is responsible for gas ignition within your Navien water heater. It resembles the spark plug inside a chainsaw or lawnmower. The igniter initiates the gas burning or combustion process. Without a functional igniter, there won’t be a spark or combustion. Eventually, you’ll experience flame loss.
Problems with the igniter are related to accumulated carbon deposits. This sort of buildup hinders the generation of spark. Additionally, wear and tear of the igniter’s internal components affects the spark generation process.
3. Faulty Flow Sensor
If the ignition process is successful, the flow sensor should keep an eye on a present flame. This sensor is also known as the flame rod. The control board of your Navien water heater relies on this rod to recognize a successful ignition.
Once this rod detects a present and consistent flame, it informs the control board about this flame success. Then the board allows the gas flow to continue and initiates the water heating process.
However, a faulty sensor fails to do this task. This failure may stem from an unclean sensor or a damaged one. A thick layer of dirt and debris buildup prevents the sensor from detecting the flame. Moreover, physical damage to the sensor makes it defective and unable to perform the detection mission.
4. Blocked Air Intake Filter
Proper and consistent combustion requires steady airflow to burn the gas. This is where the air filter steps in. This filter provides clean air for the combustion process by trapping dirt and debris.
But when this filter is full of blockages and obstructions, it restricts the required airflow. Without sufficient air (oxygen), the burner won’t complete the combustion process. This way, you’ll end up with weak or unstable flames, which the flame sensor might not detect properly.
How To Reset Navien Water Heater E003 Code
You might consider a reset might as a temporary solution for this E003 fault. However, in some cases, it can provide a permenant fix. The E003 code in your Navien water heater indicates an ignition failure. Sometimes, resetting may clear the error response, not the underlying cause.
However, a reset can sometimes resolve temporary glitches in the system. These glitches can be responsible for disturbing error code.
Here’s how to reset your Navien water heater E003 code:
- If your unit has a reset button, hit it and skip the other steps. If not, the other steps are easy to implement.
- Turn off your Navien water heater at the main electrical disconnect or circuit breaker.
- Wait for 5 minutes
- Turn the power back on.
If the E03 code persists, consider further troubleshooting steps or contact a technician for diagnosis and repair
How To Fix E003 Error Code on Navien Water Heater
The concept of ignition failure can be intimidating for some homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. However, in some cases, this problem can be handled without complex repairs. So, before calling a technician, you might want to try these solutions:
1. How To Fix Inconsistent Gas Supply
Checking the gas supply valve is a logical troubleshooting step if you suspect insufficient gas. You can find the gas shut-off valve near your water heater. Look for it near the gas meter. Check the valve’s handle and ensure it is fully open and parallel to the gas pipe.
Natural gas disruptions are less common. But if you suspect low pressure or insufficient gas supply in your heater, stove, and oven, it’s better to contact your gas company.
As for an empty propane tank, you should check its gauge. If it is empty, refill or replace it. You can take the tank to a refilling station or replace it with a pre-filled one at a local propane supplier.
2. How To Fix Problematic Igniter
The igniter lies near the burner assembly. But before trying any repairs to this component, you should turn off the gas supply to the unit. To access this component, you should remove the outer panel of your Navien water heater.
It resembles a spark plug with a long, thin electrode. This electrode could be metal or ceramic and it points toward the burner.
If it appears unclean, use a soft brush to remove carbon deposits. As for a damaged igniter, you should have it replaced by a qualified technician.
If you have sufficient experience in testing electrical components with a multimeter, you can use this device on the igniter to ensure its failure. Here’s how to do it:
- Set your multimeter to the resistance (ohms) mode.
- Disconnect the igniter wires using suitable pliers.
- Place the multimeter probes on the igniter terminals
- Measure the resistance across the terminals.
- A functional igniter shows low resistance (around 40-100 ohms). High resistance, infinity sign, or no continuity indicates a faulty igniter.
3. How To Fix Faulty Flow Sensor
This sensor also lies near the assembly. It is a small metal rod or probe that is connected to the water inlet or heat exchanger. Its troubleshooting situation is similar to the igniter. So, it is not allowed to perform any repairs when the heater is turned on and connected to a power source.
Repeat the cleaning process of the igniter with an unclean or soot-covered sensor. In case of physical damage, repeat the multimeter testing the same way you did with the igniter.
This time, however, you should look for a reading range between 10-50 ohms. Different ranges call for immediate sensor replacement.
4. How To Fix Blocked Air Intake Filter
Look for this filter near the combustion chamber. Look for a small, cylindrical, or rectangular mesh screen. In many Navien modes, the filter is made of plastic. However, other models may have a metal mesh material.
Remove the filter to clean it under running water and use some mild soap for effective cleaning. Give it some time to dry completely before reinstalling it in its original position. If the filter appears torn, replace it with a new one.
Conclusion
Understanding the E003 code in your Navien water heater is crucial for maintaining hot water supply and ensuring safety. The code indicates problems with the burner assembly, often caused by inconsistent gas supply, a faulty igniter, a malfunctioning flow sensor, or a blocked air intake filter.
While a reset may temporarily resolve the issue, addressing the underlying causes is essential. Troubleshooting steps include checking the gas supply, cleaning or replacing the igniter and flow sensor, and cleaning or replacing the air intake filter. If problems persist, consult a qualified technician for further diagnosis and repair.
Encountering other issues with your water heater? Check out this blog post on a tankless water heater that goes cold after a few minutes. or read this blog post to find out why is my water heater leaking.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
