To reset a WaterFurnace lockout on an Aurora Base Control, remove the thermostat inputs Y1, Y2 and W for at least 3 seconds, cycle power, or enable the emergency shutdown input for at least 3 seconds. WaterFurnace’s own documents disagree on how long power stays off: 5 seconds in one, 30 seconds in another.
What a lockout reset does
A lockout is the control holding the unit off after a fault. A reset clears that hold so the control can try again. It does not repair the condition that caused the fault. If the cause is still there, the control will lock out again.
That is why the first job is to read the fault code. On the Aurora Base Control the code is the number of red flashes on LED1. Our article on WaterFurnace Aurora Base Control fault codes lists the codes we have read from the guide, AG1562EW. Write the code down before you reset, so you know what you are looking at if it returns.
The conditions behind the codes differ in what they ask of you. A pressure code (2 or 3) calls for gauges. A freeze code (5) calls for a look at water flow, charge and the expansion valve. A condensate code (7) calls for a look at the drain pan. A voltage code (8) calls for a meter at the board. Our article on fault 5 and fault 7 covers the freeze and condensate pair in more detail. In each case the reset is the last step, after the condition has been checked.
The three reset methods
The Aurora Base Control guide, AG1562EW (p.6), describes three ways to reset a lockout. The third applies only where the emergency shutdown input is in use.
- Remove the thermostat inputs. Remove the Y1, Y2 and W inputs for at least 3 seconds. If switch SW2-8 is Off, remove the DH input as well.
- Cycle power. Turn the power off and back on. The required off time is where the documents disagree; see the next section.
- Use the emergency shutdown input. Enable the emergency shutdown input for at least 3 seconds.
The first and third methods name 3 seconds. Only the power-cycle method has a conflict between documents.
Why the manuals disagree on power-off time
WaterFurnace publishes more than one control manual, and two of them give different power-off times for a reset. The table shows what each says.
| WaterFurnace document | Power-off time to reset | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Base Control guide, AG1562EW | 5 seconds or more | p.6 |
| Versatec 300 manual (omv3-0007wb) | 30 seconds or more | p.29 |
We did not find a statement in either document that explains the difference. The pages we worked from do not say whether it reflects different controls, different product generations or a revised recommendation, so we do not guess. We also do not rank the two figures as right and wrong.
What to do with that: use the manual for your control. If your unit uses the Aurora Base Control, AG1562EW applies. If it is a Versatec 300, use that manual. If you cannot tell which document governs your unit, holding power off for 30 seconds also meets the 5-second figure. That is our reading of the two numbers, not a manufacturer instruction.
How to reset a WaterFurnace lockout
- Identify the control and the manual. Check the board label and the unit nameplate, then find the manual for that control. The reset details above come from AG1562EW and the Versatec 300 manual; other WaterFurnace controls have their own documents.
- Read and record the fault code. Count the LED1 red flashes and write the number down, with what the unit was doing when it stopped.
- Look at the condition the code names. A reset on a live fault only delays the next lockout. Use the code list in our fault-code article or the guide to decide what to check.
- Choose the reset method that suits the site. Use the emergency shutdown input only where it is wired and in use.
- Apply the right timing. For inputs, at least 3 seconds. For a power cycle, follow your model’s manual, noting the 5-second and 30-second figures above.
- Isolate power safely if you are opening the unit. A power cycle at the disconnect is not the same as lockout/tagout. Before you open the control section, apply your site’s lockout/tagout procedure.
- Restart and watch the cycle. Call for heating or cooling and watch the unit through its first start. If the same flash count returns, the condition is still present.
- If it will not clear, stop resetting. Repeated resets do not fix a fault that is still present. Return to step 3, or contact us with the model and serial number.
Hard lockout and a lockout that will not clear
Technicians often search for “hard lockout.” The WaterFurnace documents in our research do not define that term, so we do not use it as a separate category. If a lockout does not clear after the reset method in your manual, treat it as a fault that is still present or an input that is still active. Confirm nothing is holding an input on, then go back to the fault code and the condition it names.
AG1562EW and the Versatec 300 manual both refer to the Aurora Interface and Diagnostics (AID) Tool guide, which is the manufacturer’s route for reading faults with a tool. Use it if your control supports it.
Parts involved
| Component | Role in this issue | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora control board | The board that holds the lockout and shows the flash code. Confirm the board number against your unit label and literature. | 17X553-12 — WaterFurnace AURORA Board NXW/WC/NDW RES/COM |
| Low-voltage control harness | Listed as a low-voltage control wire harness. Relevant if a damaged input wire is suspected. | 11P654B01 — WaterFurnace Low Volt Control Wire Hrnss VL |
| Control box | Listed as a control box; the title names AXB/ABC. Confirm your model. | 45P404-37RG — WaterFurnace Control Box Non Fused Disconnect AXB/ABC NXW120-600 |
| Other WaterFurnace parts | Parts by model and part type are listed in the main collection. | WaterFurnace Replacement Parts |
Scope: The reset methods and the 3-second input times come from the Aurora Base Control guide AG1562EW (p.6). The 30-second power-off figure comes from the Versatec 300 manual (p.29). Other Aurora controls and other WaterFurnace lines may differ. Follow the manual for your model.
Before you order
If a reset does not hold and you suspect a part, confirm your unit’s exact model and serial number from its nameplate before ordering. Search the part number in our site search, or browse the WaterFurnace replacement parts collection. For help finding a part from a nameplate, see our model and serial number guide, or contact us at help@totalhvacparts.com and we will help confirm fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I turn the power off to reset a WaterFurnace?
It depends on your model’s manual. The Aurora Base Control guide AG1562EW says at least 5 seconds. The Versatec 300 manual says at least 30 seconds. If you cannot tell which applies, 30 seconds also meets the shorter figure.
How do I reset a WaterFurnace lockout without cycling power?
Remove the thermostat inputs Y1, Y2 and W for at least 3 seconds, plus DH if switch SW2-8 is Off. You can also enable the emergency shutdown input for at least 3 seconds (AG1562EW).
What is a WaterFurnace hard lockout?
The WaterFurnace documents we worked from do not define a “hard lockout.” Read the flash code on LED1 and check the condition it names. See our fault-code article.
Why will my WaterFurnace lockout not clear?
The fault condition may still be present, or an input may still be active. A reset does not repair the cause. Read the flash code, check the condition it names, then reset again per your manual.
Sources
- WaterFurnace Aurora Base Control guide, AG1562EW (reset methods and 5-second power-off figure, p.6)
- WaterFurnace Versatec 300 manual, omv3-0007wb (30-second power-off figure, p.29)
- Live product titles for the parts listed above, as shown on each product page
WaterFurnace heat pumps involve line voltage, 24 V control circuits, pressurized refrigerant and rotating equipment. Service should be performed only by qualified personnel, following the manufacturer’s manual for your unit and your facility’s lockout/tagout procedures.