Rheem R802VA07542117MSA Error Code A224_F: Flame Status Circuit Failure
What Does Code A224_F Mean?
To run safely, your two-stage, variable-speed R802VA07542117MSA must know at every moment whether there is a flame at the burners. The flame sensor rod does the sensing out in the burner compartment, but the tiny flame-detection current it produces is read and interpreted by a dedicated flame-sensing circuit on the Bluetooth Communicating IFC (Integrated Furnace Control) itself. Code A224_F is logged when that on-board circuit fails its own internal checks, meaning the board can no longer reliably tell a real flame from no flame regardless of what the rod is doing.
This is an important distinction. A dirty or oxidized flame sensor rod shows up as ignition and flame-loss faults such as A011_F, A113_F, or T013_F, because those describe a burner that would not stay lit. A224_F is different: it says the measuring circuit inside the board is broken, so even a perfectly clean rod sitting in a healthy flame could be misread. For that reason, cleaning the flame sensor rod does not address A224_F. Rheem treats a failed flame-status circuit as a board-level fault.
Because reliable flame sensing is a safety function, the control will not keep operating normally while this circuit is untrustworthy. A board that cannot be sure whether gas is burning could either fail to shut off gas when there is no flame or refuse to run at all; neither is acceptable, so the furnace locks out. A224_F sits in the same internal-fault family as the monitor-chip communication failure A223_F and the general internal-fault lockout A093_F, all of which point at the printed circuit board rather than an external component.
It is worth separating A224_F from the flame-presence safety codes A014_F, A116_F, and A127_F. Those codes report that flame was actually detected when the gas valve should have been off, which can point to a stuck-open gas valve. A224_F instead says the detection circuit itself has failed, so it is a board-circuit fault, not a report about the gas valve's mechanical state.
What You'll Notice
- The furnace will not start a heat cycle, or shuts down and locks out shortly after starting
- The alphanumeric LED blinks "A224_F" one digit at a time with a roughly three-second pause between digits
- The fault persists even after the flame sensor rod has been cleaned
- The furnace does not respond normally to the thermostat and stays locked out
- The Bluetooth contractor app reports a flame-status or flame-circuit fault rather than a simple ignition failure
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Failed flame sensing circuit on control board | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
| Control board damage from power surge | Common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
A technician starts by separating a board-circuit failure from a dirty-rod problem, because the two can look alike to a homeowner. They inspect and clean the flame sensor rod and confirm its wiring and ground are intact; if a clean rod with good ground and a normal flame current still throws A224_F, attention shifts to the board's own sensing circuit. They also verify stable line and 24-volt power and look for surge or moisture damage, since a bad supply can corrupt the board's readings.
With the external rod, wiring, and power confirmed good, there is no serviceable part left on the flame-sensing side except the circuit inside the control board. Because that circuit cannot be repaired in the field, the technician's conclusion for a confirmed A224_F is control board replacement, followed by reprogramming the correct model data through the Bluetooth contractor app.
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 A224_F code remains after the flame sensor rod has been cleaned and its wiring checked
- The furnace locks out on this code and will not complete a heat cycle
- The fault appeared after a power outage, lightning storm, or electrical surge
- The Bluetooth contractor app confirms a flame-status circuit fault rather than an ignition or flame-loss code
- You smell gas at any point near the furnace or gas piping
Frequently Asked Questions
I already cleaned the flame sensor, so why is A224_F still showing?
Cleaning the rod fixes ignition and flame-loss faults like A011_F, but A224_F reports that the flame-sensing circuit inside the control board has failed. A clean rod cannot compensate for a broken measuring circuit, so the board itself needs to be replaced.
How is A224_F different from the flame-present codes A014_F and A127_F?
A014_F and A127_F report that flame was actually detected when the gas valve should have been off, which can indicate a stuck-open valve. A224_F instead means the detection circuit on the board has failed, so it is a board-circuit fault rather than a statement about the gas valve.
Is it safe to keep running the furnace with A224_F showing?
No. Flame sensing is a core safety function, and a board that cannot reliably tell whether gas is burning should not keep operating. The furnace locks itself out for this reason, and it should stay off until a technician replaces the board.
Could a wiring problem cause A224_F instead of a bad board?
A technician will check the flame sensor wiring and ground first, because a poor connection can mimic a circuit fault. If the wiring and ground are good and the fault persists, the failure is inside the board's sensing circuit, which is not field-repairable.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026