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FLAME SENSOR DIRTY

Lennox · EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace

Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace FLAME SENSOR DIRTY Error Fix: Flame Sensor Fouled / Failed

The flame sensor rod is coated with carbon, oxidation, or silica deposits, preventing flame current detection. Causes gas valve shutoff within a few seconds of ignition. Symptoms: burner lights, runs for 3–8 seconds, then shuts off. Fix: remove flame sensor (one screw) and clean with fine emery cloth until rod is shiny. Flame current should read ≥1.0 µA DC. This is the #1 DIY Lennox furnace repair.

Medium severity2 fixes available

Quick Answer

Error FLAME SENSOR DIRTY on the Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace means: Flame Sensor Fouled / Failed. The top-ranked community fix is “Test and Replace the Flame Sensor if Faulty” (medium difficulty, ~45 min, DIY cost: $40-$60). 2 community-ranked fixes available below.

Published February 2026 · 2 fixes · furnace

Content is based on manufacturer service documentation, community repair experience, and OEM technical bulletins. Always verify with your owner's manual.Learn about our editorial standards.

When to Call a Professional

While many furnace repairs can be done safely at home, consider hiring a qualified technician if:

The repair involves electrical wiring, gas lines, or refrigerant
You've tried the top-ranked fix and the error persists
You smell gas, see sparking, or notice water leaking
The repair requires specialized tools you don't have
Your appliance is still under manufacturer warranty

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $120-$180.

Other Lennox Models with Error FLAME SENSOR DIRTY

ML196E Merit Series 96% AFUE Single-Stage Gas Furnace

furnace · 2 fixes

SL280V Dave Lennox Signature Collection 80% AFUE Variable Speed Gas Furnace

furnace · 2 fixes

SL297NV Dave Lennox Signature Collection 97% AFUE Modulating Variable Speed Gas Furnace

furnace · 2 fixes

Other Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace Error Codes

1 FLASH

No Previous Fault Code Stored

2 fixes

10 FLASHES

Blower Motor Calibration Fault

2 fixes

11 FLASHES

Auxiliary Limit Switch Open

Inducer Motor Fault

Communicating System Fault

2 fixes

2 FLASHES

System Lockout — Retries Exhausted

2 fixes

3 FLASHES

Pressure Switch Stuck Closed

2 fixes

4 FLASHES

Pressure Switch Open — Did Not Close

2 fixes

People Also Ask About Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace Error FLAME SENSOR DIRTY

What does error code FLAME SENSOR DIRTY mean on a Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace?

Error code FLAME SENSOR DIRTY on the Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace means: Flame Sensor Fouled / Failed. The flame sensor rod is coated with carbon, oxidation, or silica deposits, preventing flame current detection. Causes gas valve shutoff within a few seconds of ignition. Symptoms: burner lights, runs for 3–8 seconds, then shuts off. Fix: remove flame sensor (one screw) and clean with fine emery cloth until rod is shiny. Flame current should read ≥1.0 µA DC. This is the #1 DIY Lennox furnace repair.

How do I fix error code FLAME SENSOR DIRTY on my Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace?

The most successful fix is "Test and Replace the Flame Sensor if Faulty" (medium difficulty, ~45 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $40-$60. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

Is error code FLAME SENSOR DIRTY on a Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace serious?

This error is rated medium severity. It should be addressed soon, but your appliance may still function in a limited capacity.

Can I fix Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace error FLAME SENSOR DIRTY myself?

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Test and Replace the Flame Sensor if Faulty") is rated medium difficulty and takes about 45 minutes. Tools needed: T20 Torx screwdriver, Multimeter (microamp DC setting).

How much does it cost to repair Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace error FLAME SENSOR DIRTY?

DIY cost: $40-$60. Professional repair typically costs $120-$180. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

What other error codes does the Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace have?

The Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace has 8 other known error codes, including: 1 FLASH (No Previous Fault Code Stored), 10 FLASHES (Blower Motor Calibration Fault), 11 FLASHES (Auxiliary Limit Switch Open), 12 FLASHES (Inducer Motor Fault), 13 FLASHES (Communicating System Fault), and 3 more.

Which other Lennox models have the FLAME SENSOR DIRTY error?

Error code FLAME SENSOR DIRTY also appears on 3 other Lennox models: ML196E Merit Series 96% AFUE Single-Stage Gas Furnace, SL280V Dave Lennox Signature Collection 80% AFUE Variable Speed Gas Furnace, SL297NV Dave Lennox Signature Collection 97% AFUE Modulating Variable Speed Gas Furnace. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.

What other error codes does the Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace have?

The Lennox EL296V Elite Series 96% AFUE Two-Stage Variable Speed Gas Furnace has 8 other known error codes:

1 FLASH — No Previous Fault Code Stored (2 fixes)
10 FLASHES — Blower Motor Calibration Fault (2 fixes)
11 FLASHES — Auxiliary Limit Switch Open (2 fixes)
12 FLASHES — Inducer Motor Fault (2 fixes)
13 FLASHES — Communicating System Fault (2 fixes)
2 FLASHES — System Lockout — Retries Exhausted (2 fixes)
3 FLASHES — Pressure Switch Stuck Closed (2 fixes)
4 FLASHES — Pressure Switch Open — Did Not Close (2 fixes)

Which other Lennox models have the FLAME SENSOR DIRTY error?

Error code FLAME SENSOR DIRTY also appears on 3 other Lennox models:

ML196E Merit Series 96% AFUE Single-Stage Gas Furnace (furnace) · 2 fixes
SL280V Dave Lennox Signature Collection 80% AFUE Variable Speed Gas Furnace (furnace) · 2 fixes
SL297NV Dave Lennox Signature Collection 97% AFUE Modulating Variable Speed Gas Furnace (furnace) · 2 fixes

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