Goodman Furnace E1C: Flame Sense Without Call for Heat

Quick Answer

Goodman E1C means the control board sees a flame signal from the flame sensor when the furnace should be off. This is the opposite of F01: instead of not detecting flame when it should, the board is seeing flame when it should not be. The most common cause is a contaminated or shorted flame sensor that passes current even with no flame present.

We call this one a ghost flame in the field. It's usually a nuisance from a dirty sensor rod or a wire rubbing against the cabinet, but it can also mean a stuck gas valve that's leaking fuel through after the cycle ends. If the board thinks there's fire when there shouldn't be, it locks the whole system down for safety. I always hit the sensor first because that's what I find 8 times out of 10.

GoodmanFurnaceSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate70% DIY Success

Time to Fix

20–60 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$10 – $20

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver

What Does the E1C Code Mean?

When I see E1C on a Goodman board, the system's sensing microamps where it expects zero. It's basically the opposite of a typical ignition failure. Usually it's just some soot or a pinched wire, but you've got to rule out a leaking gas valve first. I replaced two gas valves last month because techs before me kept resetting this code without actually diagnosing it. It's one of those codes that needs a step-by-step approach because the furnace is genuinely trying to protect you.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Contaminated or shorted flame sensor producing false microamp signal40%

Gas valve not closing fully after heat cycle24%

Control board generating false flame sense reading22%

Grounding fault in flame sensor wiring14%

Symptoms You May Notice

The furnace locks out completely with E1C on the display and won't attempt a new heat cycle until you manually reset it.
You catch a faint smell of gas near the furnace even after it's been off for several minutes, which points straight to a gas valve that's not fully closing.
E1C appears immediately at power-up before the inducer motor even tries to spin, meaning the board sees the signal before any ignition sequence has started at all.
Your house gets cold because the furnace refuses to run, and every time you reset it the code comes right back within seconds.
Sometimes the furnace lights normally and runs for a bit, then shuts down mid-cycle and throws E1C when the gas valve is slow to close at the end of a call for heat.

Can you reset a Goodman furnace to clear the E1C code?

Once you've cleaned the sensor or fixed the wiring, clear the board's memory. Power down at the service switch or breaker for at least 60 seconds, not just 10. When you flip it back on, the board runs a self-check. If E1C comes right back before the inducer motor even tries to spin, you've got a hard short still in the circuit or a failed control board, and cleaning the sensor won't fix that.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverMultimeter with microamp DC settingFine steel wool or Scotch-Brite padCombustible gas detectorSoapy water in a spray bottleWork light or headlamp

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Flame Sensor RodB11726-06 · $10–$20	B11726-06	$10 – $20

Frequently Asked Questions

Is E1C dangerous?

Usually it's a nuisance from a dirty sensor, but you can't just assume that. If the gas valve is physically stuck open, it's a real fire hazard. The board throws this code specifically to stop the blower from pushing uncombusted gas through your vents. If you see E1C along with any gas odor, don't mess around. Shut the gas off at the meter and call a tech. Sensor faults are cheap. Gas valve faults that get ignored are not.

How do I tell if my Goodman gas valve is bad?

Watch the burners right after the thermostat hits its set point and shuts the heat off. The flames should vanish instantly. If they linger, flicker, or you see any residual flame that won't go out, the internal diaphragm or seat is failing. I also use a digital manometer to check for let-by pressure downstream of the valve, but for a homeowner the smell of gas after shutdown or a visible lingering flame is the biggest red flag you've got. Don't ignore either one.

Can E1C be caused by static electricity or power surges?

It's rare but I've seen it happen after a nearby lightning strike or a heavy power surge. The flame sense input on Goodman boards is sensitive. If E1C pops up once and never comes back after a reset, it was probably a fluke. But if it shows up twice in a week, something's degrading. Most of the time those repeat ghost codes turn out to be a real grounding issue or a failing capacitor on the board itself, not random static.

Can I clean the flame sensor myself or do I need a tech?

Honestly, cleaning the sensor is one of the easier DIY jobs on a furnace. Power down, pull the single screw holding the sensor bracket, slide it out, scrub the rod with fine steel wool until it's shiny, reinstall. Takes maybe 10 minutes. The sensor itself is $15-30 if you need to replace the whole thing. Where I'd draw the line is if the code keeps coming back after cleaning, because then you're into gas valve territory and that's not a DIY job. Gas valve replacement runs $200-400 in parts alone, not counting labor.

How often does E1C turn out to be the control board?

Less often than people think, but it does happen. In my experience maybe 1 in 10 cases after you've already ruled out the sensor and wiring. Boards can develop a bad flame sense input from age, moisture damage, or a nearby lightning strike. The dead giveaway is that you replace the sensor, fix every inch of wiring, and E1C still shows up instantly at power-up. A replacement Goodman control board runs $80-200 depending on the model and it's roughly a 30-minute swap if you've done it before.

Related Goodman Furnace Error Codes

Code: HUBGoodman Furnace Error Codes: LED Flash Code Guide for GMVC and GMSS Series Code: F01Goodman Furnace F01 Error Code: Ignition Failure After 3 Attempts Code: EAFGoodman Furnace EAF Error Code: Abnormal Flame Sense Code: RESETHow to Reset a Goodman Furnace and Clear Error Codes

Models Known to Experience E1C Errors

This repair applies to most Goodman furnaces with this error code. Common model numbers include:

GMVC96, GMSS92, GCVC96, AMVC96, ASST96, GPSS96, GCES96, AMSS96

Written by

Raj Patel

HVAC & Water Systems Specialist · 15 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026