The safe reset, step by step
- 1Turn the heater off and wait two minutes so any lockout can clear.
- 2Isolate power for 30 seconds, restore it, then restart in heat mode.
- 3Watch and listen for the ignition sequence — a click, then a whoosh, then heat.
- 4If it fails twice, leave it off and book a technician.
About Vulcan & Rinnai fault codes
Older Vulcan units may have no display at all and signal faults only with a flashing status light on the unit. Count the flash pattern and let us know, together with the model number, and we'll interpret it against the right service documentation for your unit.
Symptom by symptom
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Clicks but never lights | Igniter, flame sensor or gas valve fault | Licensed work only. Do not keep cycling the heater. |
| Lights then drops out within seconds | Flame sensing failure or insufficient gas pressure | Needs gas pressure testing as part of a service. |
| Any gas smell | Gas leak — treat as an emergency | Turn the gas off at the meter, open windows, don't use switches, and call the gas emergency line before anyone else. |
| Headaches or drowsiness when the heater runs | Possible carbon monoxide spillage | Turn the heater off and don't use it. Book a carbon monoxide test straight away — this is the one fault you never wait on. |
Anything involving gas, refrigerant or the inside of the unit is licensed work. If you smell gas, shut the gas off at the meter and call the gas emergency line first.
We service, repair and replace older Vulcan and Rinnai gas heaters, including carbon monoxide testing and full changeovers to modern ducted heating.