Rheem R802VA07542117MSA Error Code A225_F: Internal Fault: Gas Valve 1 Relay Welded Shut
What Does Code A225_F Mean?
Because your R802VA07542117MSA is a two-stage furnace, the Bluetooth Communicating IFC (Integrated Furnace Control) carries two separate gas-valve relays: gas valve 1 controls the low heating stage and gas valve 2 controls the high stage. Each relay is an electrical switch on the board that energizes its gas valve on demand and, just as importantly, de-energizes it when heat is no longer wanted. Code A225_F is logged when the relay for gas valve 1 has welded shut, meaning its internal contacts have fused in the closed, energized position and the board can no longer command that valve off.
This is the reason the board watches its relays at all: a relay that will not open defeats the furnace's ability to stop gas flow on command. In manufacturer terms, "welded shut" means the contacts are stuck closed and the circuit stays energized, the opposite of the "stuck open" condition in code A226_F. A225_F and A226_F are therefore opposite failure modes of the very same low-stage relay. A226_F leaves the valve unable to energize so the furnace simply cannot ignite, whereas A225_F leaves the valve unable to de-energize, which is the safety-significant direction because gas could keep flowing when it should be shut.
A welded-shut valve-1 relay can also show up through the flame-side safety codes. If the low-stage valve stays energized when it should be off, the furnace may see flame present with the gas valve commanded off, which is exactly the condition reported by A014_F, A116_F, and A127_F, and it relates to the general internal-fault lockout A093_F. On this two-stage board, A227_F and A228_F are the identical welded-shut / stuck-open pair for the high-stage relay (gas valve 2).
Because a fused relay cannot be repaired in place and involves gas control, the safe response is to remove the furnace's ability to keep gas energized. Turn off the manual gas shutoff valve at the furnace and cut electrical power to the unit, then have an HVAC technician replace the control board. If you ever smell gas, leave the home immediately and call your gas company from outside.
What You'll Notice
- You may notice the furnace continues to produce heat or the burners stay lit after the thermostat is satisfied
- A gas smell near the furnace is possible if the low-stage valve stays energized when it should be off
- The alphanumeric LED blinks "A225_F" one digit at a time with a roughly three-second pause between digits
- The furnace shows an internal fault and does not behave normally in response to the thermostat
- The board may also log a flame-present-with-valve-off safety code alongside this fault
Common Causes
| Cause | Likelihood | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Gas valve relay contacts welded due to electrical arcing | Most common | ✗ Call a pro → |
| Control board component failure | Common | ✗ Call a pro → |
How This Is Diagnosed
Before any diagnosis, the safe immediate action is to shut off the manual gas valve and power to the furnace, because a welded-shut valve-1 relay means the board cannot be trusted to stop gas on its own. A technician then reads the exact fault through the Bluetooth contractor app and confirms it is the gas-valve-1 relay, distinguishing the welded-shut A225_F from the stuck-open A226_F and from the high-stage relay codes A227_F and A228_F.
With power safely applied under controlled conditions, the technician verifies whether the valve-1 circuit stays energized when the board commands it off, which is the signature of a welded relay, and checks whether related flame-present codes such as A014_F or A127_F were also logged. Because the welded contacts are inside the board and cannot be serviced individually, a confirmed A225_F leads to control board replacement, after which the correct model data is reprogrammed 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 furnace keeps producing heat or the burners stay lit after the thermostat call ends
- The board logs A225_F together with a flame-present-with-valve-off code such as A014_F or A127_F
- The A225_F fault remains after power has been cycled
- The furnace was left running and you are unsure whether the low-stage gas valve is truly shut
- You smell gas at any point, in which case leave the home immediately and call your gas company from outside
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "welded shut" mean for the gas valve relay?
It means the relay's contacts have fused together in the closed, energized position, so the control board can no longer switch that gas valve off. This is the opposite of the stuck-open condition in code A226_F, where the same relay cannot energize the valve at all.
Is it safe to keep using the furnace until a technician arrives?
No. Because the low-stage gas valve can stay energized when it should be off, you should turn off the manual gas shutoff valve and cut power to the furnace. If you smell gas, leave the home immediately and call your gas company from outside.
Why does my two-stage furnace have two gas-valve relay codes?
This model uses one relay for the low-stage gas valve (valve 1) and a second relay for the high-stage gas valve (valve 2). A225_F is the welded-shut fault for valve 1; A227_F is the matching welded-shut fault for valve 2 on the high stage.
Can the welded relay be replaced without replacing the whole board?
The relay is an integrated part of the control board and is not serviced on its own. A confirmed welded-shut valve-1 relay means the control board is replaced, then reprogrammed with the correct model data through the Bluetooth contractor app.
✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026