I'd like to clarify a few things. First, this video is about how to bootleg a faulty Flammable Vapor Sensor so it works temporarily and how to reset the unit. if you pilot light goes out, test the ohms on the sensor and replace if it doesn't read between 9k and 45k ohms. If you don't the unit will lock itself out until you install a sensor that has the proper reading. These sensors are easily damaged by moisture and go bad, at which point you only get the reset the unit a few times till it hard locks!

I feel like a rockstar right now!!!! We didn’t have hot water for days, paid $119 for a tech to come out who did nothing but confirm for me that it was our sensor (already knew that…which he didn’t seem to know because he pointed to the wrong part and I had to show him), and the ordered part isn’t arriving until 10pm tomorrow. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Gees dude what a life saver. Appreciate the time to post this. I left town for six weeks and shut the power off at the house but did not shut the unit off as well. I had a leak in my roof and the WH got soaked (Not sure if that had anything to do with it) When I returned The water heater would not start. I even unplugged it and tried it again but nothing. After watching your video I tapped on the sensor. Checked the connection and unplugged the sensor. Reconnected it and unplugged the water heater. Plugged it in and went through the steps you provided and it fired right up. Been taking a bird bath for two weeks:0.

Thank you for this video. Your video was the only one that I could find to give me temporary fix till my new sensor comes in the mail. Thank you again.

You gotta be kidding me!!!!!! It works!!!!!!! Took me a few tries to get the right pencil line. Seems the cleaner the base, the better the mark the pencil leaves. Thank you!!!!

It’s 130am on a Sunday, I noticed the water was not hot at 1130. Searched for hours, came across your video and pulled out my multimeter. Ten minutes and a prayer later my water heater kicked on. Thank you!

THANK YOU! The vapor sensor went out today on my Whirpool water heater with a Honeywell valve. I tried this (coloring in the sensor with a pencil, then resetting the valve by resetting the power and cycling the temperature 7 times. That did the trick and my water heater is now working again. Can't thank you enough!

This is gold! I have a State water heater and the same problem presented (7 flashes and 3 second pause). Watched this vid and followed along. Switched the wh off, unplugged for 30 secs, plugged it back in, switched it on. Started turning the dial (low to very hot) and the wh kicked on during the third turn. I may order the part for the future. But right now, I’m happy to have hot water! Thank you for sharing!!

Your bush fix worked great! Nice to be able to have hot water on Thanksgiving weekend. Thanks

That was AWESOME !!! I used the pencil method and got it up to about 38k ohms, plugged it in, did the reset 7 times and Boom, started right up. Thanks so much. I didn't want to spend 4 days having to have cold showers and this is a temp fix until I get the new one.

It worked!! Thank you! The only thing I would suggest is that you add that the pencil marks are between the two gray sensors. I kept coloring them separately and got nothing, then colored between and it worked. Your previous pinned comment was also helpful regarding the range of ohms.

@darrylcharron3363

4 ай бұрын

this worked for our unit

Man, you saved my life!!! The water heater hasn’t worked for three days. I called a water heater service which wanted to charge me $275 just to change the little flammable vapor sensor sucker except they didn’t have the part. They strongly and repeatedly advise me to replace the whole water heater for $3500. Thanks to your tip on cleaning the sensor and using a pencil to add graphite to it, I was able to restart the water heater. I ordered a new flammable vapor sensor from Amazon for 50 bucks which will arrive tomorrow. Thank you so much for your help.

Thank you for posting this! I was able to get my water heater back on temporarily while I get a new sensor. Great lesson here about not letting water drop near as I spilled water all over while changing my expansion tank. Cheers!

@phatwcinfrcr

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, these sensors are terrible and easily angered. I will not be buying another water heater with this design.

This saved me. My sensor was ok but nowhere, not even the manual, told me about turning the dial like that to reset it. Turned it 8 or 9 times and it fired right up! Thank you for this video.

I had no hot water and had no clue where to begin. I was about to pay $150 for a plumber to come in, but found your video. Your reset instructions at 2:22 worked like a charm! I still don't know why the pilot light went out in the first place. Thank you so much!!! Lunch on me when you're in Montreal!

Your a life saver! I looked high and low in the manual, no mention of cycling the temp switch low to very hot 7 times 🙄

It worked for me. I didn't have the gauge but I cleaned the surface well and drew a heavy pencil line connecting the two rectangle shaped sensors. After about the 5th turn of the dial the blower turned on and we soon had hot water. Now to shop for the lowest price of a new sensor. Remember when cleaning with chemicals nearby you should unplug the unit until the floor is dry or fumes no longer exist, or you could go through this every time. Mike

Thanks, worked like a charm. I had a faulty gas control valve and after replacing it I was quite disappointed to then get the vapor error. As it turned out merely doing the low to high 5 times reset things and it worked perfectly. Regardless, a new sensor is on order. My wife and I both thank you.......

This video saved Mother's Day! We had water in our basement and while the water level didn't reach the tank, i think high level of moisture in the air caused the sensor to fault. Thanks for explaining how to reset the sensor. Turned the knob to 'all on/all off' x5 and it started right up. Hoping this solves it, but if not i know where the problem is

Thank you for this temporary fix as it worked right away. Being that it was a memorial day weekend ( 4 days ) and I had no hot water and also could not get the part till Tuesday from Amazon ( neither home depot or Lowes carry this item and al plumbing supplies stores were close) a shame the big box home centers dont carry this simple item. But thank you for your fix.

You're the man! I spent hours trying to reset my sensor and finally decided to take your advise. Worked first try!

@phatwcinfrcr

2 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help.

Worked perfect! I to was stuck with a faulted heater on the weekend. And this fix will allow me to order one online for 1/4 the price of the local guys. Thanks!

Thank you just saved me a $100 tech fee! I removed the sensor cleaned it still didn't light. I then cycled my Tstat dial 7 times and it fired up! Ordered a new sensor just to be safe. 👍👍👍

You are a lifesaver! Ours went out on Friday PM. Ordered a new one from Amazon but will not arrive until Monday. Your trick gave us hot water until the new one arrives. THNX

Thank you! My wife and kids thank you!! Typical that the sensor goes out on a Saturday. Glad I can limp it along until Monday when I can get the sensor.

Dude you just bought us a few days to wait on parts your the best great work thanks man!! Worked great colored too much but 1 swipe with a napking turned water heater on appreciate it!!

Thank you. In my case wire came off the spade connection at the back of the sensor. sensor reading 22K ohms needed to rest it 7 times like in your description. Thank you again. The funny part is I’m a licensed gas fitter just don’t work on residential water heaters and now I know.

So we decide to watch my nieces this weekend for a sleep over, little did we know the water heater decided to leak and damage the FVS. It was looking like cold showers for everyone till I found this. Saved the day and saved me from many angry girls!!! Thanks!!!

This totally worked. Took a little doing to get the ohm reading right, but I got it correct and lit the water heater up. Replacement part arrives tomorrow!

Good tip, the same reset works for the AO Smith water heater. The manual does not tell you you need to reset the control by turning the thermostat from low to hot multiple times. Thanks it saved me the $$$$ for a plumber.

Worked like a charm. I ended up with about 9kohm resistance after doing the pencil trick. Water heater fired up after rotating the dial twice.

I "fixed" mine by using spray graphite lube. Hit it with a quick shot - and then just lightly wiped off the graphite with my finger until it read about 10K ohms. Took a whopping 2 minutes to fix. As OP said, this is temporary, I ordered a sensor but I want hot water until then. I tested my fittings for leaks, and there are no flammables in my garage, but I still take responsibility even if the risk is low. BTW these sensors gradually go bad. About a year ago I had to start doing the reset procedure. It got to the point where I had to reset at least once a week. Sensor reading when I removed it was about 140K ohms. It still worked - you could hold it over a can of alcohol and watch the resistance go up - but it never dropped below 140K when "all clear."

@warrenmaderjr.2516

2 жыл бұрын

Genius stuff with the graphite lube. Got my tenants hot water for the weekend until the new one can arrive!

So I don't have an ohm meter and was a bit cloudy on the pencil thing so I just winged it scratching all with a pencil for awhile...it's working! Still have part on order, but now we can shower for the next 2 days. THANK YOU!!

This worked AWESOME to by pass the bad sensor. THANKS!!

Thank you!!! Getting married in a few hours then going on my honeymoon leaving my adault children behind. They will be happy with hot water untili get back and install a new sensor.

Wow thank you that worked for me wasn't sure if I forsure had a bad sensor or not and didn't wanna waist 60$ on one if that wasn't the problem. Your pencil trick worked! Thanks again man

Thank you! This fix worked like a charm! Great job and thanks for sharing!

Very good info, changed the sensor and would not fire up. Tried the reset they talk about with no luck. Cycling the temp switch from low to hot 4 times on mine reset it! Thanks for the info.

Hi there,wonderful idea by the way,thank you very much,gave me enough time to order new part online for cheaper than buying from the local shop.

Cycled the thermostat 6 times and it fired right up! Thanks very much for a great weekend save!

@phatwcinfrcr

5 жыл бұрын

Should be noted that you more than likely have a failing sensor if you have to perform the reset. I'd have a spare on hand just in case... My boot leg fix to trick the sensor into thinking the sensor is good might work, might not.

Thank you this hack is a great fix while waiting for the replacement sensor!

Thanks! New part on order, but this prevented a bunch of cold showers in the meantime.

Man, thank you for this video. Woulda been two days with no hot water for sure.

Thank you so much.It works.I got it to 16k ohm .Using carpenters knife to slowly cut trough glued points helps separating the plastic housing without destroying it

Thanks, great hack! Just worked out for me, I got about 30 ohms with my carpenter pencil. Fired right up, happy wife lol. Ordering my replacement now.

Dude you are a genius! Worked perfectly

We have this same unit, bought in 2019. I followed these instructions, and it worked. BUT... here's a tip. Called Rheem (number on water heater). They told me all the steps to diagnose. I already wrecked the sensor, and after reset it worked fine. He said if it returns code 8-1, they will send free replacement. Otherwise I have to buy one. Found on ebay for $34. So, just do what they tell you on the phone FIRST, and get the 8-1 code for a free replacement. THEN tear it apart to make it work while waiting for the part.

Thank you for sharing this trick. It worked for my GE/Rheem. I tried 12 Ω, but could never get that low - and I kept getting a sensor out of range error. I belive the correct resistance is closer to 12kΩ - that is what worked for me. Great trick to have hot water until the new sensor arrives.

@phatwcinfrcr

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I mispoke in the video. I had updated the notes on the video but most tend not to see that. Sorry about that!

@ronaldhoppus9015

5 жыл бұрын

@@phatwcinfrcr thanks for the video! I couldn't get the pencil thing to work but I had some resistors. Found a 12K and put it in place of the FVS and WooLa (that magic word) it fired up.

YOU ARE A SAINT! THANK YOU! P.S. I never ever type in all caps. Needed to shout my gratitude, just this once.

Thank you sir, you save our family a week of cold shower. Awesome video, much appreciated it.

Wow - thanks bud it always goes on the weekend - great fix

My wife now thinks I’m genius. You’re awesome. New one arrives in 36 hours.

I have a Reliance Forced Air Hot Water Heater which has the Vacation setting past the Low setting. When resetting the unit I discovered to only toggle back and forth between Low and Very Hot and it started right up. Thank you for this video.

OMG. Thjis Totally worked for me, Thank you. You are a life saver! Using a pencil worked.

Thanks!!!! you save my Christmas! It's a perfect temporary fix!

Great vid! Short to the point and very helpful.

My family thanks you for this video!!! Saved the day until the new sensor arrives!!!

@phatwcinfrcr

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it worked out. I def wont be buying a unit like that again.

great thanks for the help got new sensor still didn't ! was going to get new water. THANKS UP AND WORKING

Awesome! This worked for my AO Smith GPVH 50.....I'm good for a day or two until I can get this FV sensor replaced. My family is taking hot showers! I already replaced the Gas control valve then this failed. I think the plumber got it wet while he replaced the valve. I'm looking to get 4-6 more years out of my 6 yr old water heater. These things are $1000. THANK YOU

Tried it, and yes it does indeed work, power vent fan kicked on right away.

Thanks! Worked perfectly and I didn't need to change my sensor - I just turned off and then on and turned the dial 7 times. Boom! Not really boom - no explosion - just boom as in "Success!"

@RoberttAvro

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, same with me. I was painting with an oil based garage and floor paint and I should have turned off the water heater when I was painting around it. I didn't notice it had turned off until later. But fortunately, just by unplugging the power, plugging it back in after 10 seconds and then turning the temp dial 7 times back and forth all the way, it reset the vapor sensor and turned back on. I was just about to call out a professional, but first I went to youtube watched a few vids and read your comment...and it worked. I'll give you a +1 too Lance, as well as to the video.

@floydclark6710

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you SO much for your comment! I just did exactly what you did, w/o removing the sensor like he did in the video & it worked like a charm! You're the man, Lance! & thank you to the uploader of the video as well! But Lance, quick question... Could you or anyone else who did this PLZ give me a long term update on this quick fix? Did it solve the issue for good or did the lockout repeat, resulting in the sensor eventually needing to be replaced? I don't want to purchase a new sensor if I don't have to, but I also don't want to get a permanent lockout like the uploader warned about. I would GREATLY appreciate a reply. Thanks again!

Thanks , I used this to get me by , ordering the sensor now , also seamed to work if you just went back and forth on the dial while power was on , and that reset

This worked for me as i wait for my new sensor, thank you!

Shame on the beta males that disliked this video, a snail with and ohm meter and pliers can do this fix thanks to this man’s genius! Thank you brother !!

Thank you so much !! This video helped me so much. I have hot water again. Very much appreciated thank you.

Great info! Helped me out of a pinch

You rock, my family will have hot water tonight because of you.

thanks for this! i had been able to just reset my the gas valve whenever i got this error but the other day, i couldn't reset anymore so i decided to purchase a new sensor hoping that will fix it. wish i would've seen this sooner, we haven't had hot water the last couple days and my sensor is not coming in until later today.

This worked for me too. Thanks for posting this.

Thanks!!! This worked just like you said it would!! Thanks for posting

Worked for me! Thanks for the video!

My brother, thank you for this video.. . It worked for me

Thanks, same deal and it worked, Hopefully Amazon will have me one before the day is done.

This WORKS! Thank you my man! 🙌🤙

This hack worked for me! Thanks

THANK YOU, SIR! GOD BLESS!

You're my freaking hero dude!!!!

Tried your method and it works thanks

Thank you worked great.

Thank you - helped me in a pinch !

Thanks! Unfortunately I need a new sensor. Damn thing is only two years old. Makes me wonder if there is a defect with the sensor.

Vi tu video y gracias a ti pude prender mi boila despues de ponerle el sensor gracias y que dios te bendiga

Thank you very much!

Not related but quick question. I'm out here in California with the power outages. Was told that even if its natural gas this (this heater) will not turn on the pilot to get hot water? Due to it needing an outlet source. Can some one help. Thanks.

Youre a hero!

I would not mind you bing president. Wife happy back to my work. Thank you.

thanks thanks thanks it work took a few trys temp fix till tuesday

@leslieeardley6755

5 жыл бұрын

wood be a 5 day wait everyone happy know

Alright how did you seperate the cage from the sensor because a screw driver doesn't work i can't hold tight enough to budge the glue?

Dude I don't know how you figured it out, but thank you so much! Worked perfect till the part comes in

@phatwcinfrcr

6 жыл бұрын

Lots of googling and trail and error (cold showers are not my thing). Glad it helped!

@quickhandymanservices

6 жыл бұрын

phatwcinfrcr I give up I went and purchased a new f****** thing great job I'm proud a person who always try go over the next mile

Thank you very much.

Thank you so much!!

I have this same water heater. We cant get it to light. Is there supposed to be powered ran to the water heater and if so, where does it connect to?

Thanks. It works 😊😊

thank you, had to take a few readings set at 20k but got between 8 and 12 and worked perfect! thank you!

@scottthompson8437

5 жыл бұрын

Wow. That works. Absolutely incredible.

For those that don’t need a VOC sensor. A 22k ohm resistor is a nice little fix. Mine is in my attic no where near any VOC. And I’m tired of waking up to cold water with no warning. Even with a wifi device that’s supposed to alert me to any faults.

It turned on the 4th time...thanks for info

Thank you brother

Thank you!

Thank You!

Great. Great. First time landlord here. 2 property’s. This worked like a charm.