Rheem R96VA0702317MSA Error Code 14: Flame Present with Gas Valve Off

What Does Code 14 Mean?

Code 14 means the Rheem R96V Integrated Furnace Control (IFC) is detecting a flame at a time when it has commanded the gas valve closed. On a properly working furnace this should essentially never happen, which is why the manual flags it as an extremely critical fault. It implies gas may be burning without the control having called for it.

When the IFC senses this unexpected flame, it takes protective action: it energizes the indoor blower motor at maximum heat speed and the induced-draft motor at high speed to move heat and combustion products out, and holds both running until the fault clears. It then enters a one-hour lockout and alternates code 14 with code 10 (One-Hour Lockout) on the dual 7-segment display. Heat stays disabled.

The most common cause is field mis-wiring that puts 24VAC on the gas valve's main solenoid when it should not be there, so the valve is held open independent of the control's command. Next most common is a gas valve that has failed stuck in the open position. Less commonly, a faulty IFC misreads a flame signal that is not actually present. Every one of these is a gas-valve, wiring, or control-board issue.

There is no homeowner repair for code 14. A stuck-open or wrongly energized gas valve is a fire and carbon-monoxide hazard, and diagnosing it involves gas-valve, 24VAC wiring, and control-board work that is off-limits for DIY. The safe homeowner action is to shut off the gas supply to the furnace at the manual valve and get a qualified HVAC technician. If you smell gas, leave immediately and call your gas company.

What You'll Notice

• The indoor blower and the draft inducer run hard at full speed even though the furnace is not in a normal heat cycle
• The dual 7-segment display alternates 14 and 10
• The furnace will not produce controlled heat — it is locked out while the blowers purge
• You may notice the blower running at high speed unexpectedly and refusing to shut off
• In some cases a faint gas or combustion smell, which is a reason to shut off the gas and leave the area

Common Causes

How This Is Diagnosed

A technician first confirms the furnace is safely de-energized and the manual gas valve is shut, then works out whether flame is truly present or the control is misreading it. They check the 24VAC wiring to the gas valve's main solenoid for a mis-wire or crossed connection that keeps the valve energized, then test whether the gas valve itself closes fully and holds closed when de-energized rather than being stuck open. If the wiring and valve both check out, they evaluate the IFC for an internal fault causing a false flame signal. Because a live stuck-open valve is a fire and carbon-monoxide hazard, none of this is treated as homeowner work.

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 display shows 14 (alone or alternating with 10) at any time — this fault always needs professional diagnosis
• The blower and inducer are running at full speed and will not shut off
• You smell gas or combustion odor near the furnace, in which case shut off the gas and leave before calling
• The furnace has recently had wiring, a gas valve, or a control board serviced and then began showing 14
• The furnace relocks on 14 after any attempt to reset power

✓ Verified against manufacturer service manual — March 2026