Rinnai code 11 (no ignition): what to check

Rinnai display

11

“No Ignition (Heater Not Turning On)”

RU/RUR/RSC, RX, RE/REP, V, RL/VC · SENSEI RU Installation and Operation Manual, p. 73; SENSEI RUR Installation and Operation Manual, p. 72; SENSEI RSC Installation and Operation Manual, p. 72; SENSEI RX/CX Tech Sheet, p. 1; RE Series Installation and Operation Manual, p. 49; REP Series Installation and Operation Manual, p. 48; Value Series Installation and Operation Manual, p. 34; V53De Installation and Operation Manual, p. 28; VC Series Installation and Operation Manual, p. 37; Troubleshooting Tankless Water Heater Diagnostic Codes, p. 16–19
Owner checks, then technician

What it means

Code 11 means the heater tried to light the burner and could not. All Rinnai tables include the same two gas checks: gas turned on at the heater, meter or cylinder, and gas in the propane tank RU manual, p. 73; RE manual, p. 49; Value manual, p. 34; SENSEI RX/CX Tech Sheet, p. 1.

On SENSEI models, Rinnai’s bulletin TB-166 Updates to PC Board Ignition Sequence says updated software makes 18 ignition attempts, up from 3, before it shows code 11. The extra attempts help purge air left in the gas line p. 1.

Check these first

Rinnai’s tables warn that consumers should never attempt any action they are not qualified to perform RU manual, p. 73; Value manual, p. 34. The V53De manual adds: call a licensed professional for any remedy that involves gas or electricity, or if you have any doubt about doing it yourself V53De manual, p. 28. If you smell gas, the Value and V53De manuals put one step before those in the box above: leave the premises Value manual, p. 28; V53De manual, p. 22.

1. Check that the gas is turned on at the water heater, the gas meter, or the propane cylinder RU manual, p. 73; Value manual, p. 34. Turn the manual gas valve by hand only; if it will not turn, do not force or repair it RU manual, p. 8. If the valve at the heater was closed, reopen it only as the operating instructions describe: they include waiting five minutes with the valve off and smelling for gas, including near the floor, before turning it on RU manual, p. 68; Value manual, p. 29.
2. If the heater runs on propane, make sure there is gas in the tank RU manual, p. 73; Value manual, p. 34.
3. On RU, RUR, RSC and RX models, check that the condensate line is not blocked RU manual, p. 73; SENSEI RX/CX Tech Sheet, p. 1. The end of the drain should be open to the air and free of snow and ice RU manual, pp. 76–77.
4. On Value, V53De and VC models, the table lists a grounding check for the owner Value manual, p. 34; V53De manual, p. 28; VC manual, p. 37. Do not run the heater on an extension cord or adapter plug Value manual, p. 3; the V53De manual adds that anything else involving electricity is for a licensed professional V53De manual, p. 28.
5. If the heater still does not run, turn off the gas to the appliance as the operating instructions describe and call a service technician or the gas supplier RU manual, p. 68; RE manual, p. 44.

The tables give no separate reset step for code 11.

When to call a licensed technician

The Value, V53De and VC tables mark these remedies “licensed professional only” Value manual, p. 34; V53De manual, p. 28; VC manual, p. 37. The RU, RX, RE and REP tables list similar items without splitting them RU manual, p. 73; RE manual, p. 49.

• Gas type and inlet gas pressure. The rating plate on the side of the heater lists both troubleshooting guide, pp. 16, 27.
• Sizing of the gas line, meter and regulator, and bleeding air from the gas lines.
• DIP switch or parameter settings, including gas type troubleshooting guide, p. 16. Only trained and qualified professionals may adjust parameters RU manual, p. 8.
• The igniter and its wiring, gas solenoid valves, burner seating and the PC board ground wire Value manual, p. 34; the flame rod wire RU manual, p. 73; RE manual, p. 49; and on RU, RUR and RSC models the gas orifice RU manual, p. 73.
• Code 11 coming back after the owner checks.

The troubleshooting guide adds venting checks: loose joints, terminal clearances, vent length and materials pp. 17, 19.

Gas supply pressure in Rinnai’s specification tables:

Series	Natural gas	Propane	Source
RU, RUR, RSC	3.5–10.5 in. w.c.	8.0–13.5 in. w.c.	RU manual, p. 12; RUR manual, p. 12; RSC manual, p. 12
RX	3.5–10.5 in. w.c.	8.0–13.5 in. w.c.	SENSEI RX Spec Sheet, p. 2
RE, REP	4.0–10.5 in. w.c.	8.0–13.0 in. w.c.	RE manual, p. 10; REP manual, p. 10
Value, VC	4.0–10.5 in. w.c.	8.0–13.5 in. w.c.	Value manual, p. 24; VC manual, p. 25
V53De	4.5–10.5 in. w.c.	8.0–13.5 in. w.c.	V53De manual, p. 17

These are specification values with conditions attached. The maximum must not exceed the value specified by the manufacturer RU manual, p. 12, and the Value, V53De and VC manuals add that the minimum listed is for the purpose of input adjustment Value manual, p. 24; V53De manual, p. 17; VC manual, p. 25. The RX manual refers to the limits on the rating label SENSEI RX Installation and Operation Manual, p. 42. After installation it asks for a check that inlet pressure at each gas appliance does not drop below 5.0 in. w.c. on natural gas or 8.0 in. w.c. on propane with all gas appliances at maximum input, and notes that an appliance’s rating label may give a different minimum p. 44. That natural gas figure is higher than the 3.5 in. w.c. in the RX spec sheet. The troubleshooting guide says inlet pressure should never exceed 10 in. w.c. on natural gas or 13.5 in. on propane p. 17, below the 10.5 in. w.c. natural gas maximum in the manuals.

Related Rinnai codes

• 12 “No Flame”
• 10 “Air Supply or Exhaust Blockage/ Condensate Trap is Full”
• 72 “Flame Rod”

All Rinnai codes

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