Status C on Ideal Boiler Meaning & What To Do Next
Any fault code or status displayed on your Ideal boiler’s screen could be cause for concern, however, not all will need extensive work or a replacement boiler.
An Ideal boiler with the status C code might be working perfectly, however, you may have noticed other problems that could indicate a bigger problem, for example, if you can’t shut your Ideal boiler heating off.
This guide will help to identify the situation and determine if you should do anything. Call a Gas Safe registered engineer and get your Ideal boiler and central heating system back up and running properly if there are any issues.
What is the Ideal Boiler status C?
Ideal boilers recommend that you see C on the boiler’s screen when there is demand for central heating; therefore, your boiler is heating water to heat your radiators.
Normal operation
- The boiler operates until the room thermostat signals the desired temperature is reached.
- An LED, known as the “burner light,” located next to the screen, will either stay lit or blink along with the C status.
- If the light remains on, it indicates the boiler is heating water using fuel.
- The LED flashes when the set temperature is reached, signalling the boiler to stop heating water.
Faulty boiler
- A consistent burner lamp (status C) when the boiler turns off, or no central heating is needed, may indicate a problem.
- If C shows a flashing flame light, but the heating isn’t at the set temperature, it could be a fault therefore this means that the boiler has stopped providing hot water prematurely.
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What causes the ideal boiler status C?
A fault code is a way to indicate the nature of a problem with your boiler.
It’s difficult to determine the cause of status C when it appears in error since it isn’t one of the standard Ideal boiler fault codes and is only an indicator that there is central heating demand.
These are common causes that can be identified at home to diagnose any problems with central heating systems.
Still, it is usually necessary to have an engineer perform a physical examination to determine the exact cause.
Faulty Port Valves
These valves control the flow of heated liquid from your boiler and are normally closed by a spring.
These valves have a motor that activates when power is provided, allowing water to pass through the valve.
The valves also come with a switch activated when the valve is fully open. The switch will turn off the boiler when the valve closes.
Sometimes, this switch may become stuck intermittently and interfere with the activation of your boiler.
If the boiler is not running or the status light flashes, this could indicate that the boiler has shut down.
If the Port Valves Are Faulty
These valves are powered by a motor always on when the valve is open.
It is not unusual for the motor to fail. If this happens, a new motor can be installed without replacing the entire valve.
Repairs or a complete replacement may be necessary if a sticking switch is an issue. Port valves can be expensive but generally less than £120.
It will depend on the extent of repair that is possible. This may include draining water from your system.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat sends signals to the boiler that tell it when to turn on and when it should shut down. It could cause the heating process to stay on or stop at the wrong times or send inaccurate readings.
If you are using your thermostat, but it fails to operate the boiler in any way, you may have found where to start with the problem.
The thermostat screen may appear completely blank. This could be a sign that the batteries have to be replaced or that the unit is faulty.
This could be an indication that your boiler is not working properly. However, the boiler may be faulty if the problem persists.
The thermostat may not be sending the correct temperature signals. This could indicate that the thermostat’s electrical connections have been damaged.
This can be caused by dust and debris or individual wires that have stopped working and need to replace.
In the event of a Problem with Your Thermostat
An inspection of the thermostat may suffice to identify any dust or debris that could be affecting its function. In this case, it might be possible to clean the interior with products like air dusters.
Your engineer might use a multimeter to check the operation of any electrical components if the problem is not obvious immediately. Multimeters can identify faulty areas in a circuit by taking resistance readings.
It will vary depending on the difficulty and accessibility of the problem, but it is generally inexpensive to replace the parts.
Faulty Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)
This could indicate an electrical problem if status C is displayed, but the burner light shows the wrong status.
The light might flash when the boiler heats up the water, but the system seems otherwise to be functioning well.
The PCB is the central hub of all electrical processes within the boiler. This can indicate faulty or damaged connections leading to the display.
They can become damaged or loosen from vibration exposure. Delicate electrical parts are sensitive to moisture; even the smallest amount of water can cause damage.
If an internal leak occurs, you will likely receive a fault code.
In the event of a problem with the printed circuit board (PCB),
A multimeter is a tool that measures resistance to determine the electrical functionality of boiler components. It can be used by engineers to test your boiler’s electrical function.
It may be possible to fix or adjust the connections between the display panel (or the PCB) if they are defective.
If the damage is caused by moisture, there’s a good chance that the entire PCB will become damaged, which could cause further problems for the boiler.
This will mean that the part must be replaced. It is the most expensive component in a boiler and can run around £600.
If moisture damage has occurred to the PCB, your engineer will want to locate the source of the leaks. These may need to be repaired or replaced, which could lead to additional costs.
Leakage is most common in the heat exchanger. This can crack from limescale buildup.
Is it possible to fix my own ideal boiler using Status C?
You can still reset your boiler because this status is not a fault code. While fault codes may indicate that the boiler is unsafe to reset, the C status does not necessarily mean such an issue.
For at least three seconds, press the button marked “Reset” on the boiler’s front. The status of the boiler may have been cleared if this is the case. If it has, it will continue to display the same message, and your heating will start if it was intended.
You can replace the thermostat if it displays a low battery warning or is otherwise blank.
This will be necessary for most units.
A screwdriver may be required to do this. The type of battery you will need depends on the model of your thermostat.
How to Fix Status C on an Ideal Boiler
If this error persists and you have not been able to resolve the issue with a reset, you will likely need to call a Gas Safe registered engineer to restore normal functioning.
Even if the problem appears to be resolved for a while, it is worth calling a professional in case it returns.
Which Ideal Boiler models use the Status C error code?
Although fault codes may vary from boiler to boiler, the same C status can be used for all models of Ideal’s boilers. This means that regardless of the type of boiler, status C and a flashing flame light should indicate that the temperature required has been reached.
However, you may not always be able to predict the source of a problem with the C status.
Does the Ideal boiler C status fault code mean I need a new boiler?
All the top Gas Safe engineers are available to help you price your job, but if we have answered your question and your Ideal boiler fault codes disappear when you turn off your central heating demand for hot water, all is well.
If not, and you have an old boiler, then it may be time to consider a new boiler.
