Goodman GMVC960803BN Error Code EE4: Flame Detected When No Flame Should Be Present
What Does Code EE4 Mean?
On this GMVC96 furnace the integrated control module continuously watches the flame-rectification signal, not only during ignition but also when the burners are supposed to be off. EE4 is posted when the board detects flame current while there is no call for heat. To keep the situation safe the control runs the induced-draft blower and the circulator blower continuously to clear the heat exchanger, and it withholds normal heating operation.
There are two very different things this can mean. Electrically, a short-to-ground in the flame-sense circuit can fool the board into reading a flame signal that is not really there. Mechanically, it can mean an actual lingering flame at the burners — for example if the gas valve is closing slowly and gas continues to burn after the cycle should have ended. Either way the board's response is protective: it assumes the worst and refuses to start a fresh heat cycle.
It helps to contrast EE4 with EE6 (low flame signal) on the same board. EE6 is about a weak flame signal present during a normal call for heat while the furnace keeps running; EE4 is the opposite problem — a flame signal present when there should be none at all. Because EE4 can involve a gas valve that is not fully closing, it is inherently a gas-safety issue and must be diagnosed by a qualified technician rather than reset repeatedly.
What You'll Notice
- The 7-segment display shows EE4 and the furnace will not produce heat on demand
- The inducer (draft) blower and the indoor circulator blower run continuously, even with no call for heat
- The furnace never completes a normal heating cycle
- You may see burner flames persisting after the furnace should have shut off, or notice the blowers simply won't stop
- The thermostat is satisfied or off, yet the furnace fans keep running
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Short to ground in flame sense circuit | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
| Slow closing gas valve | Common | ✗ Call a pro → |
| Lingering burner flame | Common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
A technician first determines whether the sensed flame is real or electrical. They inspect the burners for a lingering or slow-to-extinguish flame after the gas valve is commanded closed, which points toward a slow-closing gas valve. If the burners are truly out, the focus shifts to the flame-sense circuit, looking for a short to ground in the sensor rod, its wiring, or the connector that could feed a false signal to the board.
Because a gas valve that does not fully seat is a safety hazard, the technician verifies proper valve shut-off operation as part of the diagnosis. The continuous-blower behavior is expected here — it is the control purging the heat exchanger — so it is used as confirmation of the EE4 state rather than a separate fault.
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 EE4 code is displayed and the blowers will not shut off
- Burner flames remain visible after the furnace should have finished its cycle
- You smell gas or suspect the gas valve is not fully closing
- The furnace refuses to start a normal heat cycle even though the thermostat is calling for heat
- The code persists after power has been cycled to the furnace
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EE4 dangerous?
It should be treated as a safety concern. EE4 can indicate a real lingering flame from a slow-closing gas valve, so the control deliberately runs the blowers to clear the heat exchanger and blocks normal operation. If you smell gas, leave and call your gas company; otherwise have an HVAC technician diagnose it promptly rather than resetting it repeatedly.
Why do my furnace fans keep running with an EE4 code?
Continuous inducer and circulator operation is the control's intended safety response to sensing flame when none should be present — it purges the heat exchanger of combustion products. It is a symptom of the EE4 condition, not a separate blower fault.
Can a bad flame sensor cause EE4?
Yes — a short to ground in the flame-sense circuit or sensor wiring can make the board read a flame that isn't actually there. A technician distinguishes this false electrical signal from a genuine lingering flame before deciding whether the sensor circuit or the gas valve needs attention.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026