Troubleshooting and Fixing a E384 Fault " False flame"
on Your Main Eco Compact Boiler
What is a False flame and what does it do?
A false flame is where the flame detection system mistakenly detects the presence of a flame when there is no flame present. This can happen due to issues with the flame sensor or other components involved in the flame detection process.
E384 Red Flags!
Here are some red flags down below:
- Complete loss of heating: If you have had complete loss of heating, this can be due to flame loss which is the error code E384.
- No ignition: The error code can also display if your boiler is having a problem igniting.
- Boiler shutdown: Your boiler may shutdown for safety reasons after attempting a few times to try and light itself to give you hot water and heating.
- Unusual odours: If you start smelling anything coming from the boiler, please call out a qualified gas engineer as soon as you can.
While the provided information can be attempted by homeowners, fixing the ” False flame” error often requires a qualified gas engineer, specialised knowledge, and tools. Gas-related issues can be potentially dangerous, so it is crucial to prioritise safety. If you are QUALIFIED and confident in your skills and have experience working with heating systems, you can try the troubleshooting steps cautiously. However, if you are unsure or uncomfortable with handling gas-related repairs, it is best to leave it to the professionals to ensure a safe and accurate resolution.
Check out what your allowed to do:
Homeowners – What you can do as a homeowner?
Qualified Gas Engineers – Troubleshooting Tips, And What to Do as a Qualified Gas Engineer?
E384 Troubleshooting Tips:
- Try resetting the boiler.
- Make sure you have gas supplying the boiler.
- Check all levers are open.
- Check the gas valve in the boiler.
- Make sure all connections are connected properly.
- Check flame ignition
- Inspect and clean the flame sensor.
- Seek professional help
What can you do as a Homeowner?
As a homeowner, what we can do before calling out an engineer is:
- Try resetting the boiler: Make sure we try resetting the boiler for 1-3 seconds before you call out any engineers. Hopefully this gets rid of the error code, if the error code is still there, we will have to look further into this.
- Check Gas supply: As a homeowner we can check the lever at the gas mains is open and the lever underneath the boiler is open. If they are both open, what you can do is try another gas appliance in your house such as a gas hob, turn it on and see if gas is coming through.
What to do as a Qualified Gas Engineer?
Before taking the casing off the boiler
So as an engineer, before we take the casing off, we can double check what the homeowner has checked before calling yourselves out just to be 100% sure.
- Try resetting the boiler.
- Check Gas supply.
After taking the casing is off the boiler.
Now we are taking a dive into the boiler, here is what you should check:
- Inspect flame detection system: Make sure you check the flame sensor and the wiring to it. Make sure the flame sensor is clean from any debris or dirt. Check the wire hasn’t become loose or has been damaged anywhere.
- Test ignition system: Check the ignition system is functioning properly, including the electrodes, spark generator and control module.
- Verify flame signal: You can use a multimeter to measure the voltage from the flame sensor. Compare the readings you get to the readings in the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Inspect safety interlocks: Make sure you check the interlocks in the boiler, such as pressure switches, air pressure switches or overheat sensors. Make sure they are all working correctly.
- Replace or repair: If you have gone through the steps and any of the parts have been faulty, make sure you replace the parts correctly and safely.
FAQ's
The error code E384 indicates that there is a flame loss on your boiler.
Unfortunately not, with this being related to a flame loss and is dealing with gas, you will not be able to touch this yourself and will have to contact a qualified engineer.
So the E384 error code means a flame loss, which can impact the safe and efficient operation of the boiler. This is not an immediate emergency, but I would address this sooner rather than later to avoid safety hazards and ensure your heating is working properly.
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