Goodman Furnace EE3: 3 Consecutive Ignition Lockouts

Quick Answer

Goodman EE3 is a cumulative lockout counter: after three consecutive ignition failures (F01), the board escalates to EE3 as a deeper safety state. The root cause is identical to F01 - failed hot surface ignitor, fouled flame sensor, low gas pressure, or a failing gas valve. EE3 requires a manual reset to clear; a simple thermostat cycle will not do it.

EE3 means your furnace has burned through all three strikes, nine failed ignition attempts total across three separate calls for heat. The board's done trusting the ignition system, so it's shut everything down until someone physically resets it. Usually when I show up, it's either a cracked ignitor you can spot if you hold it up to a light, or a flame sensor that looks fine but won't pass microamps. Don't keep resetting this without fixing it because EE5 is next and that's a nastier lockout to deal with.

GoodmanFurnaceSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate77% DIY Success

Time to Fix

30–90 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$10 – $50

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver (for panel clips)

What Does the EE3 Code Mean?

When I walk up to a Goodman showing EE3, I know I'm digging into why the flame isn't staying lit. This code is basically a cumulative tally of F01 failures, three consecutive ones to be exact. Lots of homeowners try cycling the thermostat and wonder why nothing happens. Won't work. You've got to physically cut power to the board to reset the counter, but only after you've actually found and fixed the problem. Ignitor or flame sensor covers probably 80% of these calls.

Most Likely Causes

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

Failed hot surface ignitor (cracked element)40%

Gas supply interruption or low pressure24%

Failing gas valve not opening fully22%

Flame sensor rod coated and not reading microamps14%

Symptoms You May Notice

The furnace is completely dead with EE3 on the display and nothing happens when you bump the thermostat up.
Before it locked out, you noticed the furnace kept cycling on for about a minute, going quiet, then coming back on again, and now it's just sitting there doing nothing.
Your house is cold and the thermostat's been calling for heat for hours with zero response from the furnace.
The inducer fan spins up briefly when heat is called, then everything shuts down before any flame appears.
The last few times the furnace tried to run, you could hear it clicking at ignition but the burners never caught.

Can you reset a Goodman furnace to clear the EE3 code?

You cannot clear this code from your thermostat. Go to the furnace and find the power switch or the breaker in your main panel. Flip it off, wait about 30 seconds for the capacitors on the board to discharge, and flip it back on. This resets the counter. If the ignitor is still cracked, the code will return after three more failed attempts, so verify the hardware first.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriver (for panel clips)Digital multimeter set to ohmsFine steel wool (0000 grade)Flashlight or headlampWork gloves

Diagnostic Checklist

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

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range40–90 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

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
Hot Surface IgnitorB1401015S · $25–$50	B1401015S	$25 – $50
Flame Sensor RodB11726-06 · $10–$20	B11726-06	$10 – $20

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between F01 and EE3 on a Goodman furnace?

Think of F01 as a single strikeout. The furnace tried to light three times during one call for heat and failed. EE3 is the third strikeout in a row, meaning the furnace has failed nine ignition attempts total across three different thermostat calls without a single successful heat cycle in between. Because it's a repeating pattern, the board assumes there's a mechanical failure and enters a deeper lockout that requires a manual power reset, not just a thermostat cycle.

Will resetting EE3 without fixing the cause damage my furnace?

Resetting it once or twice to get through a cold night is pretty common, but it won't fix anything. If the ignitor's failing, it'll eventually stop glowing entirely. If the gas valve's failing, you're putting unnecessary wear on the control board relays every time they fire. Eventually the furnace will escalate to EE5, which is a much stricter lockout designed to prevent unburnt gas buildup or hardware damage. That's a harder reset situation and sometimes requires a tech to clear it.

Can a dirty air filter cause EE3?

Honestly, it's unlikely to be the primary cause. EE3 is strictly about the ignition and flame sensing process, not airflow. But if a filter's so clogged it causes the furnace to overheat and trip the high limit switch repeatedly, it can sometimes mess with the normal ignition cycle. I always tell customers to swap the filter anyway because it's the cheapest insurance for your blower motor and heat exchanger. But don't expect a new filter to clear EE3 by itself.

How much does it cost to fix a Goodman EE3 code?

Depends on the part. A replacement hot surface ignitor for a Goodman runs about $25 to $55, and if you're doing it yourself that's your total cost. Flame sensor is $15 to $30. If the gas valve's the issue, that's where it gets expensive, anywhere from $150 to $350 for the part alone. Add $80 to $150 per hour for labor if you're calling a tech, so you're looking at $200 to $500 all in for a gas valve job. The ignitor's almost always what I check first because it's cheap and it's the most common culprit by a wide margin.

Can I temporarily run my furnace while waiting for a replacement part?

You can reset it to get heat going for a bit, but know what you're doing. If you've got a cracked ignitor, the flame just won't start so resetting it is pretty low risk in terms of gas safety. But if the gas valve's partially stuck, you could be getting small amounts of unburnt gas venting into the heat exchanger. I'd say one or two manual resets to keep a family warm overnight is reasonable. Beyond that, get the part or call someone. And don't leave the house unattended while it's in that state.

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: EE5Goodman Furnace EE5 Error Code: 5 Consecutive Ignition Lockouts Code: E1CGoodman Furnace E1C Error Code: Flame Sense Without Call for Heat Code: RESETHow to Reset a Goodman Furnace and Clear Error Codes

Models Known to Experience EE3 Errors

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

GMVC96, GMSS92, GCVC96, AMVC96, ASST96, GMEC96, GMES96, ACVC96

Written by

Raj Patel

HVAC & Water Systems Specialist · 15 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026