Amana AMVC960803BN Error Code EEC: External Gas Valve Error
What Does Code EEC Mean?
The Integrated Control Module on the AMVC960803BN constantly watches the state of the gas valve circuit. EEC is set when the board sees the valve energized (commanded open) at a time when no ignition sequence should be driving it. The furnace shuts down because an uncommanded gas valve is a safety concern, and the manual classifies this as a serious condition.
The usual causes are a miswired or shorted gas valve circuit that creates an unintended power path to the valve, or a gas valve relay on the control board welded or stuck in the closed position so it cannot de-energize the valve through normal control. A shorted valve solenoid can also keep the circuit path active. In any of these cases the board can no longer be certain it can command the gas off.
EEC is the mirror image of EEb (valve not energized when it should be). Because EEC involves gas potentially flowing when it should not, treat it more urgently than EEb: turn the manual gas shutoff valve off and do not reset or run the furnace until a technician has inspected the valve wiring and the control-board relay. It is related to E13, where the redundant gas-valve relay is stuck closed, and to EE4, flame detected with no call for heat — all point at gas or flame present when the control expects none.
What You'll Notice
- The 7-segment display shows EEC
- The furnace shuts down and refuses to run
- The inducer and blower may run continuously as a protective response
- The code returns immediately even after a power reset
- In rare cases a faint gas smell (if you smell gas, leave and call your gas company)
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Miswired or shorted gas valve circuit | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
| Gas valve relay stuck closed on control board | Common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
With the gas supply off for safety, a technician inspects the gas valve wiring for shorts or miswires and checks whether the gas-valve relay on the Integrated Control Module is stuck closed. They verify the board can command the valve both open and closed and confirm the valve solenoid is not internally shorted. Because the fault means gas could reach the valve uncommanded, all of this is done with the gas isolated and is not homeowner work.
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:
- EEC is displayed — shut off the gas supply and do not attempt to reset or run the furnace
- The code returns immediately after any reset
- You detect any gas odor near the furnace (leave the home first and call your gas company)
- The fault appeared after recent work on the gas valve wiring
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EEC dangerous on my Amana furnace?
It is treated as a serious safety fault because the control has detected the gas valve energized when it should be off. Shut off the gas supply valve and call a technician rather than resetting and running the furnace.
How is EEC different from EEb?
EEb means the valve is NOT energized when it should be (a no-heat fault), while EEC means the valve IS energized when it should not be (a potential uncommanded-gas fault), which is why EEC warrants shutting off the gas.
Can I just reset the furnace to clear EEC?
No. If the wiring or the board's gas-valve relay is stuck, resetting does not fix the unsafe condition and the code will return. It needs professional diagnosis before the furnace is run again.
Sources
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026