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TUX/AUX - Flashing Code 4

Article ID: 451
Last updated: 10 Dec, 2019

Gas Furnace: TUX1

Re: Flashing Code 4

Code 4 = Open Limit Circuit

There are three limits in the limit circuit:

  • Main Limit (TCO-A) - Automatic-reset limit for the heat exchanger.
  • Roll-Out Limit - Manual-reset limit mounted above burners.
  • Auxiliary Limit (TCO-B) - Automatic-reset limit, Usually mounted on the blower compartment.

Primary or Auxiliary Limit
Qty Possible Causes:
Dirty Filter
1 Bad Blower Motor/Capacitor
1 Bad Control Board
High Duct Static
Bad Primary Limit
Bad Auxiliary Limit
Roll-Out Limit
Qty Possible Causes:
1 Clogged Furnace Drain
Bad Heat Exchanger

CHECKOUT:

1. Check Limit Circuit 

  • Turn off power to the furnace.
  • Remove the 9-pin plug from the furnace control board.
  • At the plug (not the board), check resistance between pin 3 (YL/1) and pin 4 (YL/5).

2. Check Primary Limit

  • Attempt to perform this test without removing wires from the limit (moving wires may cause the limit to reset).
  • Check resistance between the two terminals (YL/1) & (YL/2) of the primary limit.

3. Check Roll-Out Limit

  • Check resistance between the two terminals (YL/2) & (YL/3) of the roll-out limit.
    • Resistance = Limit Closed → Step 4. Check Auxiliary Limit
    • No Resistance = Limit Open
      • Press reset button on the top of the limit & recheck resistance.
        • Resistance ⇒ Check for heat exchanger issues
        • No Resistance = Bad Roll-Out Limit

4. Check Auxiliary Limit

  • Access the blower compartment.
  • Attempt to perform this test without removing wires from the limit (moving wires may cause the limit to reset).
  • Check resistance across the the terminals (YL/3) & (YL/4) of the auxiliary limit.
    • Resistance = Limit Closed ⇒ Recheck limit circuit at 9-pin plug (Step 1).
      • ​​​​​​​Limit Circuit Closed → Step 5. Check Blower Operation
      • Limit Circuit Open ⇒ Check for bad wiring between 9-pin plug and limits.
    • No Resistance = Limit Open

​​​​​​​5. Check Blower Operation

  • Remove power from the furnace.
  • Access the blower compartment.
  • Remove the wires from the blower motor capacitor.
  • Check capacitor.
    • Bad ⇒ Replace & Continue
    • Good ⇒ Continue
  • ​​​​​​​Close blower access panel.
  • Cycle the furnace through a call for heat & monitor blower motor operation in 1st & 2nd Stage Heat
    • ​​​​​​​Blower Starts & Runs → Step. 6. Check Temperature Rise
    • No Blower Operation ⇒ At the control board, check for 120VAC power between [LO HEAT] & [CIR-N], then between [HI HEAT] & [CIR-N].
      • ​​​​​​​Power + No Blower Operation = Bad Blower Motor
      • No Power = Bad Control Board

​​​​​​​6. Check Temperature Rise

  • Start the furnace with a call for heat.
  • Check and record the return air temperature near the furnace (at the filter if possible) with the blower on.
  • Check the supply air temperature (in a straight duct run near the furnace) as the furnace operates (on both 1st & 2nd Stage Heat).
  • Compare the actual temperature rise to the rated temperature rise on the furnace nameplate. (typically 35 - 65 deg.)
    • Temperature Rise Near or Above Maximum ⇒ Check for low airflow (Dirty Filter, Dirty Coil, Low Blower Speed, etc.)
    • Temperature Rise Below Maximum + Code 4 ⇒ Suspect Bad Primary Limit
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Article ID: 451
Last updated: 10 Dec, 2019
Revision: 8
Access: Public
Views: 47
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