Goodman GMSS960803BN Error Code 6 Flashes: Rollout Limit Circuit Open / Control Board Fuse Blown
What Does Code 6 Flashes Mean?
Six flashes on the GMSS960803BN's Integrated Control Module indicate the rollout limit circuit is open or the module's fuse has blown. This is among the most serious codes on the furnace because flame rollout means combustion flames are escaping the burner box in a direction they should never go. The rollout limit is a temperature safety mounted near the burners; when it senses heat where flames should not reach, it opens the circuit and shuts the furnace down.
Goodman lists the causes as flame rollout itself, misaligned burners, a blocked flue or air-inlet pipe, a failed inducer, loose wiring, a short in the 24-volt control or safety circuits, or a faulty rollout limit. On this sealed-combustion condensing furnace, a blocked PVC vent or intake is a leading trigger — if exhaust cannot leave, combustion products spill back and heat rolls out toward the limit. This overlaps in cause with the 3-flash pressure-switch-stuck-open code, which also flags venting problems, so a furnace with venting trouble may show either or both.
The module's 3-amp fuse can also blow from a short in the 24-volt safety wiring and produce this same code, which is why it can look related to the dark-LED no-power state that a blown fuse causes. Critically, the underlying short must be found before any fuse is replaced, or the new fuse blows at once. Unlike a simple limit that resets when it cools, a rollout condition signals a combustion or venting failure that must be diagnosed before the furnace runs again.
What You'll Notice
- The furnace is shut down and will not fire despite a call for heat
- The diagnostic LED blinks six times, pauses, and repeats — or the LED is dark if the board fuse blew
- A burnt, hot, or acrid smell around the furnace burner area
- Visible scorching, soot, or heat discoloration near the burners or their front cover
- A blocked, iced-over, or obstructed outdoor PVC vent or intake termination
Common Causes
How This Is Diagnosed
A technician treats this as a combustion-containment problem and does not simply reset it. They inspect the burners for proper alignment, check the flue and air-inlet piping end to end for blockage, correct length, elbows, and a clear termination, and evaluate the inducer for adequate draft. The rollout limit and the 24-volt safety wiring are tested for a short, and if the board fuse blew, the short is located before a new fuse is fitted. Every step here involves combustion, venting, or the safety circuit, so it is strictly professional 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:
- The LED shows six flashes — shut the furnace off and call right away rather than resetting
- There is a burnt smell, soot, or scorch marks around the burner area
- The outdoor vent or intake pipe is blocked, iced over, or obstructed
- The board's 3-amp fuse is blown (a short must be found before replacing it)
- The rollout code returns after a technician's initial reset or repair
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just reset the rollout switch on my Goodman GMSS960803BN?
No. A 6-flash rollout means flames escaped the burner box, which points to a venting or combustion failure. Resetting without finding the cause lets an unsafe condition repeat, so leave the furnace off and have a technician diagnose it.
Why is my furnace's diagnostic light off if the code is supposed to be 6 flashes?
One branch of this code is a blown 3-amp control-board fuse, and a blown fuse leaves the board with no power, so the LED can be dark instead of flashing. Either way the underlying short or rollout condition needs professional repair.
Is a rollout code an emergency?
Treat it seriously. Flame rollout can damage the furnace and involves combustion escaping where it should not, so shut the unit down and call a qualified technician promptly rather than continuing to run it.
What causes flame rollout in the first place?
The most common cause on this furnace is a blocked flue or intake that prevents exhaust from venting, along with misaligned burners or a failed inducer. A technician confirms which by inspecting the venting and burner assembly.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026