HVAC Code Lookup

Payne Furnace: 3 Flashes

A Payne furnace LED pattern starting with 3 flashes matches 9 documented codes: 31, 31.4, 31.5, 32, 33, 34, 34.2, 34.3, 34.4. Watch the full pattern (short vs. long flashes) to tell them apart — all 9 are explained below.

Code 31: Pressure switch did not close or reopened

WarningShown as: 3 short flashes, 1 long flash

Pressure switch did not close or reopened. On the PG92ESA/PG95ESA this is the HPS: if it stays open for one minute after the gas valve closed (after three successive trials) the control locks out for 3 hours before retrying. On the two-stage PG96VTA, code 31 is the high-heat pressure switch or relay.

Manual wording: “31 HPS PRESSURE SWITCH DID NOT CLOSE OR REOPENED - If HPS remains open for one minute after gas valve closed (after three succesive trails), then furnace control will lockout for 3 hours before retry.”

Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Excessive wind at the vent termination
  2. Restricted vent or improper vent sizing
  3. Defective inducer motor or low inducer voltage (115 VAC)
  4. Defective pressure switch
  5. Inadequate combustion air supply
  6. Disconnected or obstructed pressure tubing
  7. Condensate drainage restricted or blocked
  8. Low inlet gas pressure (if a low gas pressure switch is used)

What you can safely check yourself

  • Go outside and check the furnace intake and exhaust pipes for snow, ice, leaves, or a nest and clear any blockage
  • Check the condensate drain line and trap for a clog or standing water
  • Replace a dirty air filter

When to call a technician

If the vents are clear and the drain is open, the inducer motor, pressure switch, or tubing needs a technician. Never jumper a pressure switch to force the furnace to run.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Sources

Full page for Payne code 31

Code 31.4: Loss of pressure before the blower comes on

WarningShown as: Major code 31 on the LED (3 short, 1 long); 31.4 on the display

Loss of pressure before the blower comes on. The pressure transducer does not sense the target pressure, or pressure is out of range for the operating stage.

Manual wording: “31.4 LOSS OF PRESSURE - Before blower comes on.”

Documented for: PG80MSU

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Improper vent sizing
  2. Low inducer voltage (115 V)
  3. Inadequate combustion air supply
  4. Disconnected or obstructed pressure tubing
  5. Defective inducer motor
  6. Defective pressure transducer
  7. Excessive wind
  8. Restricted vent system

What you can safely check yourself

  • Check the outdoor intake and exhaust pipes for snow, ice, leaves, or a nest and clear anything blocking them
  • Replace a dirty air filter

When to call a technician

If the vent is clear, the inducer motor or the pressure transducer needs testing by a technician.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Source

Full page for Payne code 31.4

Code 31.5: Loss of pressure after the blower comes on

WarningShown as: Major code 31 on the LED (3 short, 1 long); 31.5 on the display

Loss of pressure after the blower comes on. The pressure transducer does not sense the target pressure, or pressure is out of range for the operating stage.

Manual wording: “31.5 LOSS OF PRESSURE - After blower comes on.”

Documented for: PG80MSU

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Improper vent sizing
  2. Low inducer voltage (115 V)
  3. Inadequate combustion air supply
  4. Disconnected or obstructed pressure tubing
  5. Defective inducer motor
  6. Defective pressure transducer
  7. Excessive wind
  8. Restricted vent system

What you can safely check yourself

  • Check outdoor vent terminations for blockage
  • Replace a dirty air filter

When to call a technician

Losing vent pressure once the blower starts often points at vent sizing or a failing inducer - have a technician measure it.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Source

Full page for Payne code 31.5

Code 32: Low-heat

WarningShown as: 3 short flashes, 2 long flashes

Low-heat (LPS) pressure switch did not close or reopened. If it stays open longer than five minutes the inducer shuts off for 15 minutes before retrying.

Manual wording: “32 LOW-HEAT PRESSURE SWITCH DID NOT CLOSE OR REOPENED - If open longer than 5 minutes, inducer shuts off for 15 minutes before retry.”

Documented for: PG96VTA, PG92ESA, PG95ESA

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Improper vent sizing
  2. Air leak between vestibule and blower compartment
  3. Restricted vent
  4. Disconnected or obstructed pressure tubing
  5. Defective or miswired pressure switches
  6. Excessive wind
  7. Plugged condensate drain
  8. Water in the vent piping from a sagging pipe
  9. Defective inducer motor or low inducer voltage
  10. Low inlet gas pressure (if LGPS used)

What you can safely check yourself

  • Check outdoor intake and exhaust terminations for snow, ice, or debris
  • Check the condensate drain line and trap for a clog
  • Replace a dirty air filter

When to call a technician

Vent sizing, sagging vent pipe, and pressure switch calibration are technician diagnostics. Do not bypass the switch.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Sources

Full page for Payne code 32

Code 33: Limit circuit fault

Soft lockoutShown as: 3 short flashes, 3 long flashes

Limit circuit fault. The high-limit or flame rollout switch is open - the furnace is overheating or airflow is restricted. The blower runs 4 minutes or until the switch remakes. If it stays open longer than 3 minutes the code becomes lockout 13.

Manual wording: “33 LIMIT CIRCUIT FAULT - Indicates the limit, flame rollout is open. Blower will run for 4 min. or until open switch remakes whichever is longer. Flame rollout switch requires manual reset.”

Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Dirty filter or restricted duct system
  2. Loose blower wheel
  3. Defective switch or connections
  4. Improper gas input adjustment
  5. Improper limit switch or missing limit gasket

What you can safely check yourself

  • Check and replace the air filter - a clogged filter is the most common cause
  • Make sure supply registers and return air grilles are open and unblocked
  • Make sure the furnace door is fully seated

When to call a technician

If the code returns after a filter change, the limit or rollout switch is tripping for a reason a technician must diagnose. The flame rollout switch requires manual reset and must never be reset without finding out why it tripped.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Sources

Full page for Payne code 33

Code 34: Ignition proving failure

WarningShown as: 3 short flashes, 4 long flashes

Ignition proving failure. Flame was not sensed during the trial for ignition, so the control repeats the ignition sequence three more times before lockout 14.

Manual wording: “34 IGNITION PROVING FAILURE - If flame is not sensed during the trial for ignition period, the control will repeat the ignition sequence 3 more times before lockout #14 occurs.”

Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Gas valve turned off or manual shut-off valve closed
  2. Green/yellow wire not connected to the furnace sheet metal (control ground)
  3. Flame sensor grounded or oxide-coated
  4. Defective hot surface igniter
  5. Low inlet gas pressure
  6. Inadequate flame carryover or rough ignition

What you can safely check yourself

  • Confirm other gas appliances still work, so you know gas service is on
  • Make sure the furnace door is fully closed and latched

When to call a technician

Cleaning the flame sensor, measuring flame microamps, and testing the igniter all require opening a live gas appliance. Call a technician.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Sources

Full page for Payne code 34

Code 34.2: Flame lost - after successful ignition

Safety faultShown as: Major code 34 on the LED (3 short, 4 long); 34.2 on the display

Flame lost - after successful ignition (flame proved), flame was lost before the heating blower on-delay.

Manual wording: “34.2 FLAME LOST - After successful ignition (flame proved), flame lost before heating blower on delay.”

Documented for: PG80MSU

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Oxide buildup on the flame sensor
  2. Low inlet gas pressure
  3. Gas valve defective or turned off
  4. Poor control ground continuity
  5. Flame sensor grounded or touching the casing
  6. Inadequate flame carryover or rough ignition

What you can safely check yourself

  • Confirm other gas appliances in the house are working normally

When to call a technician

Flame loss right after ignition is a combustion and flame-sensing problem for a technician. Do not attempt to clean or reposition the flame sensor yourself.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Source

Full page for Payne code 34.2

Code 34.3: Flame lost - after successful ignition

Safety faultShown as: Major code 34 on the LED (3 short, 4 long); 34.3 on the display

Flame lost - after successful ignition (flame proven), flame was lost after the heating blower on-delay.

Manual wording: “34.3 FLAME LOST - After successful ignition (flame proven) flame lost after heating blower on delay.”

Documented for: PG80MSU

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Oxide buildup on the flame sensor
  2. Low inlet gas pressure
  3. Poor control ground continuity
  4. Airflow disturbing the flame

What you can safely check yourself

  • Check that the air filter is clean and supply and return vents are open

When to call a technician

Losing flame once the blower starts usually points at gas pressure or flame sensing - have a technician measure flame current and manifold pressure.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Source

Full page for Payne code 34.3

Code 34.4: Flame lost while the furnace was operating at reduced inducer pressure following a previous 34

Safety faultShown as: Major code 34 on the LED (3 short, 4 long); 34.4 on the display

Flame lost while the furnace was operating at reduced inducer pressure following a previous 34.3 fault.

Manual wording: “34.4 FLAME LOST - While operating at reduced inducer pressure from previous 34.3 fault condition.”

Documented for: PG80MSU

Likely causes, most common first

  1. Same causes as 34.3 - flame sensor, gas pressure, control ground, flame carryover

What you can safely check yourself

  • Check that the air filter is clean and vents are open

When to call a technician

This code follows a chain of flame losses. Have a technician diagnose the combustion and flame sensing before running the furnace.

A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.

Source

Full page for Payne code 34.4

Other Payne codes