Amana AMSS960803BN Error Code 5 Flashes: Flame Sensed With No Call for Heat
What Does Code 5 Flashes Mean?
Five flashes on the Amana AMSS960803BN Integrated Control Module mean the board is detecting a flame signal when it has not called for heat. As a safety response, both the induced draft blower and the circulator blower run continuously to clear any potential combustion byproducts, and the furnace will not run a normal heating cycle.
The flame sensor works by passing a tiny electrical current through the flame; the board reads that current to confirm a burner is lit. A short to ground somewhere in the flame-sense circuit — damaged wire insulation, a pinched lead, or the sensor lead touching grounded metal — can feed the board a signal that mimics flame even when the burners are off. The board cannot tell a false signal from a real one, so it treats the condition as unsafe.
This code is related to the seven-flash Low Flame Signal code, which also involves the flame-sense circuit, but the two are opposites: seven flashes is a weak flame signal during normal firing, while five flashes is an unexpected flame signal with no call for heat. Because correcting it means finding and repairing an electrical fault in a safety circuit, Amana lists this as professional service. Turn off power to the furnace at the breaker while you wait for a technician.
What You'll Notice
- The inducer motor and blower fan run continuously even though the thermostat is not calling for heat
- The furnace will not perform a normal heating cycle
- The diagnostic LED flashes five times, pauses, and repeats
- The blower keeps running long after any heat has dissipated
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Short to ground in flame sensor wiring | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
Because the board is reporting flame that should not be there, a technician works to find where the flame-sense circuit is falsely completing. With power safely off, they inspect the flame sensor lead and connector for chafed or melted insulation and for any point where the wire could contact grounded metal, then check the sensor mounting and the control-module terminal. A meter is used to locate the short to ground in the sensor or its wiring. Because this is electrical fault-finding in a safety circuit, it is not a homeowner repair on this furnace.
When to Call a Professional
This code involves components that are not homeowner-serviceable, so have a licensed HVAC technician diagnose and repair it. Keep in mind:
- The inducer and blower run nonstop with no call for heat
- The five-flash code stays after cycling power at the breaker
- You notice scorched, melted, or damaged wiring near the burner or sensor
- The code appeared after recent service work near the flame sensor or its wiring
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Amana's fans run constantly with a 5-flash code?
The board thinks it is sensing flame with no call for heat, so it runs the inducer and blower continuously to clear any possible combustion gases. It is a safety response, not a blower fault.
Is a 5-flash code dangerous?
It is treated as safety-critical because the furnace cannot distinguish a false flame signal from a real one. Turn off power at the breaker and have a technician inspect the flame-sense circuit before running the furnace again.
Can I fix the flame sensor wiring myself?
No. This code involves finding and repairing an electrical short in a safety circuit, which Amana lists as professional service on this model. A technician has the tools to locate the fault safely.
Sources
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026