GOODMAN DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE DUAL 7-SEGMENT DISPLAY (TWO-STAGE VARIABLE-SPEED) DOC GOODMAN-E3

Goodman furnace: Open Primary, Auxiliary, or Rollout Limit (E3)

Q: What does E3 mean on a Goodman furnace?

Open Primary, Auxiliary, or Rollout Limit (E3). One of three protective limits opened: primary (overheat), auxiliary, or flame rollout. Blowers run until it closes. Official causes: dirty filter or duct restriction, faulty limit, blower issue, blocked flue.

E3 YOUR LIGHT: DISPLAY CODE E3 — MATCH IT ABOVE

Professional repair

What does E3 mean on a Goodman furnace? One of three protective limits opened: primary (overheat), auxiliary, or flame rollout. Blowers run until it closes. Official causes: dirty filter or duct restriction, faulty limit, blower issue, blocked flue.

Gas / CO warning

This condition involves the gas or combustion side. If you smell gas or a CO alarm sounds: leave, then call your gas utility. Diagnostic info here is reference — combustion repairs are for licensed technicians.

GOOD NEWS: THE FIRST CHECKS ARE FREE AND TAKE MINUTES.

Try these first — in this order

Filter + vents first, 5 minutes.

1Check: Dirty filter / closed vents

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If it's the rollout limit, a tech must inspect the heat exchanger before reset. DIY part cost: $5–25 — a pro visit for this class of fault typically runs $150–350.

What causes it (in order of likelihood)

Dirty filter / closed vents DIY-CHECKABLE
Rollout trip — heat-exchanger or venting problem (CO-risk signal) TECH

Parts referenced by this code

Air Filter (check size on the old one)

$5–25

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Always match parts against your model's parts list — part numbers vary within a series.

Applies to

GMVC96 · GCVC96 · AMVC96 · ACVC96

Different Goodman generations use different code maps. If your series isn't listed, don't assume this meaning — check your blower-door label.

Verified against Goodman GMVC96/GCVC96 Service Manual, p.44

Last verified 2026-07-06 · how we verify