Rinnai · Tankless water heater
71 Gas solenoid valve fault (SV0–SV4 on Non-SENSEI)
What the control is telling you
Fault in the gas solenoid valve circuit. On Non-SENSEI units it refers to a fault in solenoid valves SV0, SV1, SV2 or SV3.
Applies to: SENSEI Series, SENSEI RX/CX Series, Non-SENSEI Series
Likely causes
- Single PC board DIP switch not set to OFF (SENSEI / SENSEI RX/CX)
- Loose, broken or damaged solenoid valve wiring
- Grounded heater circuit
- Moisture in gas valve tubing from a leaking heat exchanger or vent condensate
- Open solenoid coil or mechanical obstruction in the gas valve
- Faulty PC board
Test and repair steps
- SENSEI / SENSEI RX/CX Confirm the single DIP switch on the PC board is OFF.
- SENSEI / SENSEI RX/CX Inspect the gas solenoid valve harnesses back to the PC board for loose, broken or damaged connections.
- WARNING (all series) Turn off the electrical, gas and water supply to the heater before measuring or replacing parts.
- SENSEI Connector D black #27–yellow #29 = 18 ~ 22 ohms or 11 ~ 13 VDC. SENSEI RX/CX: Connector CN9 black #3–yellow #4 = 11 ~ 13 VDC.
- SENSEI / SENSEI RX/CX Make sure the heater circuit is not grounded, then replace the gas valve.
- SENSEI / SENSEI RX/CX Replace the PC board; transfer data with the supplied cable or program manually per PCB Replacement Instructions (100000553 SENSEI, 100000854 RX/CX).
- Non-SENSEI Inspect the harnesses to SV0, SV1, SV2, SV3 and SV4 back to the PC board for loose, broken or damaged connections.
- Non-SENSEI Check the plastic tube from the bottom of the combustion box to the gas valve for moisture. If wet, replace the gas valve and pull manifold/burner to find the source.
- Non-SENSEI If the heat exchanger leaks, replace it and any parts it damaged; if vent condensate drains back into the unit, add a condensate drain line at the top of the heater.
- Non-SENSEI Check voltage at SV0 and SV1 while the unit tries to fire; if correct but the code persists, continue.
- Non-SENSEI Measure SV0–SV4 resistance (values in the tech data sheet under the front cover). If any coil is open, replace the gas valve and burner manifold with new solenoids.
- Non-SENSEI If 71 remains, replace the gas control valve; good coil readings do not rule out a mechanical obstruction inside it.
- Non-SENSEI Replace the PC board.
Settings for these units
- RSC supply connection sizes · SENSEI
- RSC water quality limits · SENSEI
- RSC clearances to combustibles · SENSEI
- RSC temperature settings available · SENSEI
- RX supply connection sizes · SENSEI RX/CX
- RX water quality limits · SENSEI RX/CX
- RX water treatment and flushing by hardness · SENSEI RX/CX
- RX clearances to combustibles · SENSEI RX/CX
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Source: Rinnai Troubleshooting TWH Diagnostic Codes (100000652), p.58–59. Summarized in our own words; check the original manual for your model.
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For licensed technicians. Gas, electrical and refrigerant work must be done by a qualified, licensed person. Shut off power and gas before servicing, never bypass a safety control, and follow the manufacturer’s manual for the exact model; it and local codes always take priority. HVACopedia is not affiliated with any manufacturer; brand and model names only identify the equipment.