10 Things to do when your Ducane Furnace Display Lights up with Error Codes

A light-up error code on your gas furnace can be a little bit unnerving. After all, when your furnace is supposed to keep you warm and cozy, the last thing you want it to do is alert you that something has gone wrong. Fortunately, however, most instances of an error code are not indicative of a serious problem. Instead, they’re usually indicators that something as simple as a sensor is triggered or a minor action needs to take place. Fortunately, there are also ways to troubleshoot these issues and get your heater back up and running again before you start worrying about whether or not this might be the end of its lifespan. Here are 10 things to check if your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes.

Check Your Furnace Filters

The code 10 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes might be a signal from your filter that it needs to be cleaned or replaced. If your furnace has a filter, it might be worthwhile to check to see if it needs to be cleaned or replaced. If it has gotten too dirty, it could be filtering out a lot of the airflow that is necessary to keep your system running efficiently. If your filter needs to be replaced, it might be a good idea to replace it with a higher efficiency filter than the one that is currently installed. These are not very expensive, and they can make a big difference in the amount of dust and other impurities that get pulled into your system and clog up your ductwork over time.

Check Your Thermostat

The code 13 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes might be a signal from your thermostat that it needs to be replaced. If you have an older thermostat, it could be that it is beginning to malfunction and it has triggered the furnace to turn on when it should not be doing so. In these cases, you’ll want to replace the thermostat with a new one. If you still have the warranty on your furnace, you might even be able to get it replaced for free. It’s usually a good idea to replace your thermostat about every 10 years or so. If you’re not sure how old your thermostat is, you can usually find the model number on the unit or etched into the back of the unit somewhere. If you type that information into a search engine, you should be able to find its recommended replacement date.

Reset your Furnace

The code 24 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes and might be a signal that there is too much pressure in the gas line to your furnace. In these cases, you will want to shut off your furnace at the circuit breaker, let it cool down for an hour or so, and then reset it. It is important not to reset it while it is still hot because if the pressure has built up because the gas is still flowing, it could cause a spark that can be dangerous. When you reset it, make sure you reset it properly. After it has cooled down, you should wait a few minutes before you reset it because if you reset it too soon, you could cause the pressure to build up and cause the same issue again.

Turn Off Auto-Change Over and Confirm Burner Operation

The code 25 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes and might be a signal that there is a problem with the auto-change over. In these cases, you will want to turn off the auto-change over and make sure the pilot light is on, along with the burners. If the pilot light is not on, you will want to follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to relight it. If the burners are not coming on, you might want to clean the burners or check to make sure they are not clogged up with debris or corrosion. You might also want to clean the blower wheel and make sure nothing is clogging up the gas flow to the furnace.

Confirm Proper Gas Flow

The code 26 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes might be a signal that there is not enough pressure in the gas line to your furnace. In these cases, you will want to check the filter and make sure that it is not clogged up, and then you will want to open a few windows to let more fresh air into the house. After doing so, you will want to turn on a fan or two to help distribute the air throughout the house and help the filter do its job. If you don’t see a change in the code after a few hours, you might want to have a professional come out and take a look at the system to see if there is a problem with the pressure inside the system.

Confirm No Intermittent Problems

The code 27 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes and might be a signal that there is a miscommunication between sensors. In these cases, you will want to make sure all sensors are functioning properly and that there are no miscommunications between them. If there are miscommunications between sensors, you might want to take them out and clean them to see if that fixes the problem. If sensors are not the issue, you might want to make sure all sensors are installed properly and that there are no intermittent issues. Intermittent issues are problems that happen only once in a while, such as a sensor that gets clogged up with dust but then cleans itself out and works normally again without needing to be replaced. If a sensor is intermittent, you might want to take it out and clean it or replace it just to be on the safe side.

Confirm Proper Electronic Communication

The code 28 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes that might signal that there is a problem with the electronic communication between the furnace and the control module. In these cases, you will want to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with the electronic communication between the control module and the furnace. If there is no physical problem with the communication, you might want to check the software on the control module to see if there is an issue with the software. If there is an issue with the software, you might want to reset the software or replace the control module.

Reset Electronic Control Module (ECM) and Confirm Calibration

The code 29 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes and might be a signal that the control module needs its calibration reset. In these cases, you will want to reset the control module’s calibration and make sure the sensors are functioning properly. If they are functioning properly, but the error code still shows up, the control module might need to be replaced. If the calibration is the issue, you might want to make sure you are resetting it correctly. If you are not sure how to reset it correctly, you might want to call a professional to come out and look at it.

Troubleshoot Malfunctioning Sensors

The code 31 on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes and might be a signal that one of your sensors is malfunctioning. In these cases, you will want to shut off your furnace at the circuit breaker and make sure that the problem is not the sensor itself. If the sensor is not the problem, you might want to remove it and clean it or check to make sure that it is installed properly. If there is a problem with the sensor itself, you will probably want to replace it with a new sensor.

Conclusion

A light-up error code on your Ducane furnace display lights up with error codes does not always indicate a serious problem. More often than not, it is an indicator that something as simple as a sensor needs to be cleaned or replaced or that there is a miscommunication between the sensors, or that there is a problem with the software on the control module. If the code is resetting itself after a few hours, there might be an intermittent issue. In these cases, you can troubleshoot the sensors or the electronic communication to see if you can get everything working normally again.