Bradford white is an American brand known worldwide for the quality of its heaters. In general, heaters Bradford are pretty simple in use. Their troubleshooting is not a special case. Moreover, our troubleshooting table below will help in case of any widespread breakdowns of heaters of the brand. Referring to our table, you can determine the direction of the forthcoming repair.
Bradford White D4403S*F water heater troubleshooting
| LED Status | Control Status | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|
| None (LED not on or flashinq) | Electrical power not present | Control power switch in "OFF" position. Supply voltaqe interrupted. |
| One short flash every four seconds | Stand-by mode, Thermostat is satisfied (no faults) | Temperature demand is satisfied (no call for heat) |
| Alternates bright and dim (heartbeat) | Thermostat calling for heat (no fault) | Tank temperature below setpoint of thermostat |
| Short flash once every second | Weak pilot signal on last call for heat | 1. Unstable pilot 2. Pilot tube blocked or restricted 3. Oxidation build-up on pilot electrode 4. Wire damage to pilot assembly or bad connection at gas control |
| Two flashes, three second pause | Damper test circuit not working | 1. Damper not in proper position or malfunctioning - stuck in open position |
| 2. Obstructed venting | ||
| 3. Faulty damper | ||
| Three flashes, three second pause | Damper test circuit not working | 1. Damper not in proper position or malfunctioning - not reaching full open position |
| 2. Obstructed venting | ||
| 3. Faulty damper | ||
| Four flashes, three second pause | Excessive tank temperature, system must be reset | 1. Thermal well sensor out of calibration |
| 2. Faulty gas control | ||
| Five flashes, three second pause | False pilot flame present | Pilot valve stuck in open position |
| Six flashes, one flash, three second pause (Soft Lockout) | Failed to light pilot, system resets after (5) minutes | 1. Unstable pilot |
| 2. Pilot tube block or restricted 3. Oxidation build-up on pilot electrode 4. Wire damage to pilot assembly or bad connection at aas valve |
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| Six flashes, two flashes, three second pause (Soft Lockout) | Damper test circuit not working properly during burner operation, system auto resets after (5) minutes | 1. Damper not in proper position or malfunctioning - damper moved from full open position during run cycle |
| 2. Obstructed venting 3. Faulty damper 4. Damper jostled during run cyde |
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| Six flashes, three flashes, three second pause (Soft Lockout) | Pilot flame extinguished, system auto resets after (5) minutes | 1. Unstable pilot |
| 2. Pilot tube block or restricted 3. Oxidation build-up on pilot electrode 4. Wire damage to pilot assembly or bad connection at gas control |
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| 5. Insufficient combustion air | ||
| 6. Insufficient qas pressure | ||
| Six flashes, four flashes, three second pause | Undesired false pilot flame sensed, system auto resets | Pilot valve stuck in open position |
| Seven flashes, three second pause | Flammable vapor sensor or resettable thermal switch fault detected, see warning label | 1. Flammable vapor present 2. Flammable vapor sensor exposed to excessive moisture 3. Flammable vapor sensor exposed to extreme ambient temperature 4. Resettable thermal switch open |
| Eight flashes,one flash, three second pause | Flammable vapor sensor out of specification, possible short | 1. Flammable vapor sensor out of specification; verify Flammable Vapor Sensor (FVS) resistance is not below 25 kft. 2. Possible short in flammable vapor sensor or resettable thermal switch wirina |
| Eight flashes, three flashes, three second pause | Thermal well sensor damaged or unplugged or gas control electronics fault detected | 1. Damage to thermal well wires 2. Thermal well sensor resistance out of range 3. Replace thermal well 4. Verify control is not wet or physically damaged 5. Reset control on/off switch 6. Replace gas control if 8-3 error persists |
| Eight flashes, four flashes, three second pause | Gas control fault detected | 1. Verify control is not wet or physically damaged |
| 2. Reset control on/off switch | ||
| 3. Replace gas control if 8-4 error persists |
Bradford White M-2-50T6DS water heater troubleshooting
| SYMPTOM | PROBABLE CAUSE | CORRECTIVE ACTION |
|---|---|---|
| No Hot Water | 1. No Power to heater. | 1. Check fuses or drcuit breakers in service panel. |
| 2. Loose wire connections. | 2. Check al wire connections. | |
| 3. Inoperathre upper heating element. | 3. Check heating elements). Replace as needed. | |
| 4. Inoperathre upper thermostat. | 4. Check thermostats) operation. Replace as needed. | |
| 5. Open ECO. | 5. Check ECO. Reset or replace thermostat(s) as needed. | |
| Not Enough Hot Water | 1. Inoperathre tower heating element. | 1. Check heating elements), replace as needed. |
| 2. Thermostat(s) set to low. | 2. Increase thermostat setting. | |
| 3. Inoperathre thermostat(s). | 3. Check thermostat(s). replace as needed. | |
| 4. Loose wire connection. | 4. Check al wire connection. | |
| 5. Sediment or lime build up on element(s). | 5. Remove heating element(s) and check for lime build up. | |
| 6. High demand period. | 6. Reduce demand. | |
| 7. Undersized heater. | 7. Replace with larger heater. | |
| 8. Very cold intet water to heater. | 8. Temper water to heater. | |
| 9. Plumbing connections reversed. | 9. Correct plumbing connections. | |
| 10. Damaged dip tube. | 10. Check dip tube, replace as needed. | |
| Slow Hot Water Recovery | 1. Sediment or lime build up on element(s). | Remove heating element(s) and check for lime build up. |
| 2. Loose wire connections. | 2. Check all wire connections. | |
| 3. Inoperathre thermostat(s). | 3. Check thermostat(s). replace as needed. | |
| 4. Derated heating element installed | 4. Check terminal block of element for proper voltage and wattage rating. | |
| Over Heated Water or Continues Operation | 1. Thermostat not in contact with tank. | 1. Position thermostat flush with tank surface. |
| 2. Grounded heating element(s). | 2. Check heating elements). Replace as needed. | |
| 3. Thermostat set to high. | 3. Adjust thermostat(s) to desired setting. | |
| 4. Inoperathre thermostat(s). | 4. Check thermostat(s). replace as needed. | |
| 5. Inoperative ECO. | 5. Check ECO. replace thermostat as needed. | |
| 6. Undersized water heater. | 6. Replace with larger heater. | |
| Noisy (singing or hissing) Elements | 1. Lime formation on elements. | 1. Remove and clean heating elements. Replace as needed. |
Bradford White MI30T*F(BN,CX,SX) water heater troubleshooting
| SYMPTOM | PROBABLE CAUSE | CORRECTIVE ACTION |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot Will Not Light | 1. No incoming gas or too low gas pressure. | 1. Turn on gas supply and/or check line pressure. |
| 2. Gas control knob set to wrong position. | 2. Review lighting instruction. Set com bination/thermostat gas valve to correct position. | |
| 3. Pilot light button not being fully depressed when attempting to light pilot. | 3. Review lighting instruction Fully depress pilot lighting button. | |
| 4. Pilot orifice or pilot tube is obstructed or kinked. | 4. Clean repair or replace. | |
| 5. Pilot electrode not sparking to pilot. | 5. Verify correct electrode position. Replace pilot assembly. | |
| 6. Piezo igniter not functioning. | 6. Replace Piezo igniter. | |
| Pilot Will Not stay lit when button is released | 1. Poor thermocouple connection at combination thermostat/gas valve. | 1. Check connection at combination thermostat/gas valve. Proper tightness should be finger tight plus/turn. |
| 2. Thermocouple not fully engaged in pilot assembly bracket. | 2. Inspect thermocouple to ensure that it is fully engaged into pilot bracket | |
| 3. Pilot flame is not fully enveloping the thermocouple ’hot' junction. | 3. Adjust tip of thermocouple to be fully engulfed by pilot flame. | |
| 4. Weak or defective thermocouple. | 4. Check thermocouple and replace if necessary. | |
| 5. Open ECO on combination thermostat/ gas valve. | 5. Check ECO continuity and replace combination thermostat/gas valve if necessary. | |
| 6. Defective magnet in combination thermostat/gas valve. | 6. Check magnet operation and replace combination thermostat/gas valve if necessary. | |
| 7. Resettable thermal switch has opened. | 7. Determine cause of switch activation. To reset, depress button on resettable thermal switch located on inner door. | |
| Pilot will light but the main burner will not come on | 1. Combination thermostat/gas valve set too low for desired water temperature. | 1. Adjust temperature dial on combination thermostat/gas valve. |
| 2. Combination thermostat/gas valve temperature is satisfied. | 2. Check temperature dial setting on combination thermostat/gas valve. | |
| 3. Insufficient gas supply or low gas pressure. | 3. Check gas supply and line pressure. | |
| 4. Combination thermostat/gas valve has wide differential or is out of calibration. | 4. Check combination thermostat/gas valve for proper operation, replace if necessary. | |
| Pilot goes out periodically (after heating cycles, once a day, once a week etc.) | 1. Insufficient combustion air supply. | 1. Verify adequate combustion air is available to the unit. Check and clear Jacket slot openings of any dirt, dust, restrictions or other obstructions. Inspect flame arrestor plate and clean with stiff bristled brush and/or vacuum to remove any debris accumulation. |
| 2. Incorrect, clogged vent system/ vent terminal or location. | 2. Check venting for proper sizing and proper operation | |
| 3. Inconsistent gas supply or gas pressure. | 3. Check gas supply and line pressure. | |
| Not enough hot water | 1. Combination thermostat/gas valve set too low for desired water temperature. | 1. Check dial on combination thermostat/gas valve. |
| 2. Cold inlet water temperature is very cold. | 2.Extremely cold water going into the heater will decrease the amount of hot water produced. It may be necessary to temper incoming water supply. | |
| 3. High demand periods. | 3. Adjust high demand usage. | |
| 4. Incorrectly sized water heater for application. | 4. Contact Plumbing professional. | |
| 5. Combination thermostat/gas valve is out of calibratior not functioning. | 5. Check combination thermostat/gas valve for proper operation, replace if necessary. | |
| 6. Out of spec dip tube is diluting hot water with cold water. | 6. Inspect dip tube and replace if necessary. | |
| None (LED not on or flashing | Gas Control is operating normally. Pilot flame may not be present. Check for pilot flame through sight glass and light if necessary. | 1. Gas Control is functioning normally. |
| 2. Gas Control is not powered. Light pilot. | ||
| 3. Thermopile failure. | ||
| One flash and three second pause | If set point knob is in “PILOT” position then pilot flame is detected. Turn set point knob to desired setting. | Gas Control is powered and waiting for the set point knob to be turned to a water temperature setting. |
| LED on continuously (Solid) | Set point knob has been recently turned to the 'OFF' position. Wait until LED goes out before attempting to relight | Set point knob was turned to “OFF" position. |
| Two flashes and three second pause | Weak pilot signal detected. System will reset when pilot flame is sufficient. | 1. Thermopile failure |
| 2. Unstable pilot | ||
| 3. Pilot tube block or restricted. | ||
| 4. Resettable thermal switch has opened | ||
| Three flashes and three second pause | Insufficient water heating. System will reset. | 1. Temperature sensor out of calibration |
| Four flashes and three second pause | Excessive tank temperature. | 1. Temperature sensor out of calibration |
| System must be reset. | 2. Faulty Gas Control | |
| Five flashes and three second pause | Thermostat/well sensor fault. | 1. Damage to the temperature sensor. |
| 2. Temperature sensor resistance out of range. | ||
| Six flashes and three second pause | Water leak detected by accessory module. | Excessive amount of water in drain pan/water dam. |
| Seven flashes and three second pause | Gas Control electronic fault detected. | 1. Control need to be reset. |
| 2. Control is wet or physically damaged. | ||
| Eight flashes and three second pause | Standing pilot remains on while set point knob is in “OFF’ position. | Pilot van stuck in open position. |