On the covered Rheem PowerVent water heater, display 93 and eight-four flashes means a valve fault was detected. First, turn the gas control to off. Then: Rheem's bulletin lists this as a gas valve fault. Gas valve work belongs to a technician.
Differential
Likely causes of “Rheem PowerVent water heater display 93 and eight-four flashes”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A gas valve fault was detected
What separates it The status light flashes eight times and then four times
How to confirm Turn the gas control to off
- 2
A gas valve that has failed
What separates it The valve does not respond
How to confirm A technician replaces it
- 3
A wiring fault to the valve
What separates it The harness is damaged
How to confirm A technician checks the wiring
- 4
A control that cannot drive the valve
What separates it The control board has failed
How to confirm A technician tests the control
- 5
A one-off fault after a power event
What separates it The code appeared once
How to confirm A technician resets and tests
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the pattern is eight flashes, a pause and four flashes
- Whether the heater lights at all or refuses to start
- Whether you smell gas around the heater
- The model and serial numbers from the label on the tank
Try in this order
0 of 10 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleTurn the gas control to off.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleRheem's bulletin lists this as a gas valve fault. Gas valve work belongs to a technician.
Turn the gas control to off
ReversibleThis is the first step, so that no gas can flow.
Check for gas
ReversibleIf you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas company.
Note the pattern and the model
ReversibleWrite down the eight then four flashes and the model number.
Do not open the valve
ReversibleGas valve work belongs to a technician.
Call a technician
ReversibleAsk for a gas valve and control check.
Keep the heater off
ReversibleUntil it has been checked.
Arrange hot water in the meantime
ReversibleWhile the heater is off, plan for showers and washing elsewhere, or heat water on the stove for essentials, until the technician has repaired the valve.
Count the second group of flashes
ReversibleWatch the light for two full cycles and count each group. Writing the pair down avoids mixing up eight-four with eight-two.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- Code 93, eight then four flashes: valve fault.
- Parts involved
- The gas valve, its wiring and the control.
- Rheem's guidance
- Gas valve work belongs to a technician.
- What the gas valve does
- The gas valve is the electrically controlled door that lets gas to the burner. The control opens it only when every safety check passes, and a valve fault means the control cannot confirm that the valve is doing what it is told, which is why the heater stops.
- Why only a technician
- Gas valves are part of the appliance's safety system and are certified as a unit. Repairing or replacing one needs the right part number, the right tools to check for leaks and a license in most places, so the repair belongs to a qualified technician.
- Two pairs of flashes
- Rheem's PowerVent heater with the Honeywell control reports many faults with two counts, eight flashes and then a second group. The second group tells you which eight-series fault it is. Eight and four is the valve fault, and eight and two is the temperature sensor, so count carefully and write the pair down for the technician.
- Valve and wiring
- The valve is operated by a small electrical coil, and a loose or corroded connector at the coil can look like a failed valve. A technician checks the connector and the coil's resistance before replacing the valve, which can save a good part of the repair cost.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Ask the technician to test the valve's coil and its wiring before replacing the whole valve, as the control may not be seeing the valve properly
- !Keep the gas control at OFF until the valve has been tested
- !If you smell gas, leave and call the gas company
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does display 93 and eight-four flashes mean on a Rheem PowerVent water heater?+
A valve fault was detected.
Can I fix it?+
No, gas valve work belongs to a technician.
Will resetting help?+
Do not reset repeatedly.
Is the valve costly?+
It is a moderate to dear part.
Can the heater be used while it waits for the repair?+
No, keep it off, since the valve is part of the safety system.
Can I have hot water meanwhile?+
Heating water on another appliance, or a short stay with friends, is safer than running the heater with a valve fault.
How long does the repair take?+
Often a single visit, if the technician has the valve, but ask when you book.
How do I tell eight-four from eight-two?+
Count the second group of flashes after the pause: four means the valve, and two means the temperature sensor.
Can a loose connector cause a valve fault?+
Yes, a corroded or loose connector at the valve can mimic a failed valve.