Rheem R802VA07542117MSA Error Code A113_F: One-hour Lockout: Ignition Failure

What Does Code A113_F Mean?

When your two-stage, variable-speed R802VA07542117MSA calls for heat, the Bluetooth Communicating IFC (Integrated Furnace Control) runs a full ignition sequence: the inducer proves draft, the hot surface igniter glows, the gas valve opens, and the flame sensor rod watches for a flame within the trial-for-ignition window. If no flame is confirmed, the control closes the gas valve and retries. Code A113_F is the one-hour lockout the IFC imposes after four of these ignition trials fail in a row. During the lockout the furnace will not attempt to relight, no matter what the thermostat asks for, until the hour expires or power is cycled.

A113_F is the lockout side of the same event that the control logs as A011_F. A011_F is the fault recorded when ignition fails four times; A113_F is the one-hour safety lockout stacked on top of it. Because they share a root cause, the fixes are the same. The most common cause is a dirty or oxidized flame sensor rod, which can block the tiny flame-proving current and read as "no flame" even when the burner briefly lit. A closed or restricted gas supply valve is the next most likely homeowner-checkable cause, since the igniter and inducer run normally with no gas reaching the burners. A failed hot surface igniter or a gas valve that is not opening are harder to rule out and need a technician.

A113_F is different from the flame-loss lockouts on this board. Codes T013_F and A013_F, and the A114_F lockout, all involve a flame that was established and then lost during the burn. A113_F means a flame was never confirmed across four trials in the first place, so the problem is getting the furnace lit rather than keeping it lit.

What You'll Notice

• The inducer and igniter cycle through several attempts but the burners never light
• The alphanumeric LED blinks "A113_F" one digit at a time with a roughly three-second pause between digits
• The furnace goes silent and ignores the thermostat for about an hour, then tries again on its own
• No warm air is delivered even though the thermostat is calling for heat
• You may hear the gas valve click open and shut across four attempts with no flame noise

Common Causes

How This Is Diagnosed

Because A113_F means flame was never confirmed across four trials, the quickest homeowner checks are to confirm the manual gas shutoff valve is fully open and to inspect the flame sensor rod for a dull gray or blackened coating, since a coated rod is the most common reason flame goes unconfirmed even when the burner briefly lit. If the sensor is clean and the gas is on but the lockout still returns, the cause is more likely a failing igniter or a gas valve that is not opening, both of which need a technician's meter and combustion tools.

How to Fix It: Clean the Flame Sensor and Confirm the Gas Is On

What You'll Need

• Scotch-Brite pad
• 1/4-inch nut driver or screwdriver
• Flashlight
• Clean, dry cloth

Steps

1. Shut off power and gas before opening the furnace Turn off electrical power to the furnace at the breaker or the switch on or near the unit, and turn the manual gas shutoff valve to the OFF position. If you smell gas, leave immediately and call your gas company.
2. Open the burner compartment and find the flame sensor Remove the furnace's lower access panel to reach the burner compartment. The flame sensor is the thin metal rod with a white porcelain base mounted at the burner, secured with a single screw, with its tip positioned in the flame path.
3. Clean the flame sensor rod Gently clean the flame sensor rod with a Scotch-Brite pad until the metal is dull-bright. Rheem'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.
4. Confirm the gas supply is on Check that the manual gas shutoff valve near the furnace is turned fully to the ON position (handle in line with the pipe) and that no upstream valve in the gas line has been closed. A closed valve is a common reason four trials fail with no flame.
5. Restore power, clear the lockout, and test a heat cycle Reinstall the flame sensor and access panel, turn the gas valve back on, and restore electrical power, which also clears the one-hour lockout. Set the thermostat to call for heat and watch the LED, which should stop reporting A113_F while the burner ignites and stays lit.

When to Call a Professional

Contact a licensed HVAC technician if:

• The furnace still fails all four ignition trials and locks out after the flame sensor has been cleaned and the gas confirmed on
• The igniter never glows visibly during an ignition attempt
• You hear the gas valve click but never see or hear a flame at the burners
• A113_F keeps returning hour after hour despite a clean sensor and open gas valve
• You smell gas at any point near the furnace or gas piping

✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026