Amana AMVM970803BN Error Code EE0: Ignition Lockout

What Does Code EE0 Mean?

Code EE0 is an ignition lockout. The AMVM970803BN tried to ignite 3 times during a single call for heat and either never established a flame or lost it right after lighting. As a safety measure the furnace locks out and stops trying until it is reset.

A normal ignition on this furnace runs in sequence: the inducer starts and the pressure switch confirms draft, the hot surface igniter glows, the modulating gas valve opens, and the flame sensor confirms a flame within a few seconds. If the flame is not sensed, the gas valve closes and the furnace retries. After 3 failed attempts, EE0 latches.

The most common recurring cause is a dirty or oxidized flame sensor that cannot detect the flame even when the burners light — the same condition that first appears as the warning code EE6 (low flame sense). Other causes include an interrupted gas supply, a failed or misaligned igniter, blocked flue or intake piping, or a pressure switch/drainage problem (which can also show as EE2). The furnace auto-resets after about one hour, or you can power cycle it.

What You'll Notice

• The furnace does not heat and the display shows EE0
• The igniter glows and the inducer runs, but the burners never stay lit
• The burners light briefly, then go out and the furnace stops
• Repeated clicking or ignition attempts before the furnace gives up
• Cold air or no air, and the house temperature drops

Common Causes

How This Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis follows the ignition sequence: first confirm the gas supply is actually on, then look at whether the igniter glows, whether the burners light, and whether the flame is being sensed. A dirty flame sensor is the classic case where the burners light but the flame is not detected, so it is cleaned early.

If cleaning the sensor and confirming gas do not resolve it, a technician checks the igniter, the flue and intake for blockage, and the pressure switch and condensate drainage. Igniter, gas valve, and pressure-switch work beyond simple cleaning and vent-clearing is left to a professional.

How to Fix It: Confirm Gas, Clean the Flame Sensor, and Clear the Vents

What You'll Need

• Scotch-Brite pad
• 1/4-inch nut driver or hex socket
• Flashlight
• Clean cloth

Steps

1. Turn off power at the breaker or furnace switch and shut off the gas supply before servicing Set the furnace service switch to OFF (or trip the breaker) and turn the manual gas shutoff valve perpendicular to the pipe. If you smell gas, leave immediately and call your gas company. Powering down makes it safe to open the burner compartment.
2. Confirm the gas supply is actually on Before anything else, verify the manual gas valve to the furnace is open (handle parallel to the pipe) and, for LP systems, that the tank is not empty. A closed valve or empty tank is a simple, common cause of ignition lockout.
3. Locate and remove the flame sensor Open the burner-compartment access panel. The flame sensor is a thin metal rod with a white porcelain base and a single wire, mounted near the burners. Remove its single mounting screw (typically 1/4-inch) and gently withdraw it, disconnecting the wire.
4. Clean the flame sensor Gently clean the flame sensor rod with a Scotch-Brite pad until the metal is dull-bright. Amana's guide lists fine steel wool as the cleaning material, but many HVAC technicians prefer a Scotch-Brite pad because it leaves no abrasive residue on the rod. Do not clean or scratch the white porcelain base, and take care not to bend the rod.
5. Reinstall the flame sensor Reconnect the wire and remount the sensor in its original position with the mounting screw, ensuring the rod sits in the burner flame path and the connection is secure.
6. Check the flue and intake pipes for blockage Inspect the exhaust flue and fresh-air intake terminations outside the home for nests, ice, snow, leaves, or debris, and clear anything you can safely reach. A blocked vent can prevent the pressure switch from confirming draft.
7. Restore gas and power, then test Open the gas valve (handle parallel to the pipe), restore power, and set the thermostat to call for heat. Watch the full sequence: inducer, glowing igniter, burners lighting, and a stable flame that stays lit.

When to Call a Professional

Contact a licensed HVAC technician if:

• EE0 returns after the flame sensor is cleaned and the gas supply is confirmed on
• The igniter does not glow during the ignition sequence
• The burners light but the flame is yellow, lazy, or unstable
• You hear the gas valve click but no flame appears
• The inducer runs but ignition never begins, suggesting a pressure switch or drainage issue

✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026