Rheem R802VA07542117MSA Error Code T013_F: Flame Lost after Established

What Does Code T013_F Mean?

On your two-stage, variable-speed R802VA07542117MSA, the Bluetooth Communicating IFC (Integrated Furnace Control) does not stop watching the burner once it lights. The flame sensor rod continuously proves flame throughout the entire heat call by passing a small current through the flame to ground. Code T013_F is logged when the control confirmed a good flame at startup but then saw that flame signal disappear before the heat call finished. The "T" prefix marks this as a troubleshooting-level fault, meaning it records a single flame-loss event rather than forcing a hard shutdown.

The most common cause on this furnace is a dirty or weakening flame sensor. When the rod is coated with oxide or soot, the flame current it reports can hover right at the edge of what the IFC will accept, so the furnace lights fine but the signal briefly dips below the detection threshold mid-burn and the control reads it as a lost flame. Because the current is marginal rather than absent, the problem tends to come and go, which is exactly why it shows up as a troubleshooting code first. Inconsistent gas pressure and, more rarely, a cracked heat exchanger disturbing airflow across the burners can also drop the flame, but those require a technician to diagnose.

T013_F is distinct from A011_F on this same board. A011_F means the furnace never confirmed a flame across four ignition trials, whereas T013_F means a flame was clearly established and then lost. It is also the milder sibling of A013_F: T013_F records a single flame-loss event, while A013_F is only logged after the flame has been lost five times in one heat call, which triggers a one-hour lockout reported as A114_F. Seeing T013_F now is a chance to clean the flame sensor before repeated flame loss escalates into that lockout.

What You'll Notice

• The burners light normally and warm air starts, but the flame cuts out partway through the cycle
• The alphanumeric LED blinks "T013_F" one digit at a time with a roughly three-second pause between digits
• The furnace relights and keeps running, so heat is still delivered but feels inconsistent
• You may notice the burner flame flickering or dropping out for a moment before recovering
• The problem comes and goes rather than shutting the furnace down completely

Common Causes

How This Is Diagnosed

Because T013_F confirms a flame was established and then lost, the first homeowner check is the flame sensor rod, since a dull gray or blackened coating is the most common reason a good flame signal drifts below the detection threshold mid-burn. If cleaning the rod does not settle the flame, the cause is more likely inconsistent gas pressure or an airflow disturbance across the burners, both of which need a technician's manometer and combustion tools to isolate.

How to Fix It: Clean the Flame Sensor to Restore a Steady Flame Signal

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, held by a single screw, positioned so its tip sits 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. Wipe the rod and reinstall it Wipe the cleaned rod with a clean, dry cloth to remove any loosened residue, then reinstall it in its original position and orientation so the tip sits back in the flame path. Reattach the single mounting screw snugly.
5. Restore power and watch a full heat cycle Reinstall the access panel, turn the gas valve back on, and restore electrical power. Set the thermostat to call for heat and watch the burner run all the way through a complete cycle without the flame dropping out or the LED reporting T013_F.

When to Call a Professional

Contact a licensed HVAC technician if:

• The flame keeps dropping out during the burn after the flame sensor has been cleaned
• T013_F escalates to the A013_F alarm or an A114_F one-hour lockout
• The flame visibly flickers, roars, or lifts off the burners rather than burning steadily
• You notice soot, a yellow or lazy flame, or unusual smells around the furnace
• You smell gas at any point near the furnace or gas piping

✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026