Replacing sensor on whirlpool water heater - Whirlpool Water Heaters

Whirlpool sold the AO Smith brand flue damper, and the atmospheric models ... both models have different honeywell gas controls...
Error codes, service manuals and troubleshoot appear following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#honeywell

There is no specific service manual available for the flue damper series in 2019

Reset or replace TCO, then if failure is still present, replace thermostat
http://waterheatertimer.org/basic-parts-for-gas-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/troubleshoot-gas-water-heater-thermostat.html#thermostat

You could clog up the screen on bottom of water heater... and this would cause FV system to trip because of overheated combustion chamber... then clean arrestor screen and push reset button located on front of combustion chamber to get water heater working. Of course you might have to replace parts to restore functionality.
Or pour some gasoline nearby and see if the water heater explodes, or if the FV trips. I would think this to be unwise.
Contact Whirlpool
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html

Gene

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Whrilpool will send information.
Copy following link for resources, including images showing temperature sensor (thermister):
http://waterheatertimer.org/Whirlpool-Energy-Smart-electric.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Whirlpool-energy-smart-part.jpg

Remove cover on outside of tank.
The foam insulation is very stout, and must be cut back to access sensor located above each element.
Insulation must be put back when finished.
After insulation is cut back, it appears you can remove the sensor... I am assuming the wiring can be unplugged, or spliced. It is not possible to replace wires that run between sensor and top of tank because the foam insulation is too tight and wiring is not inside a conduit.

Add a comment and say what you discover.

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1) Call whirlpool
1-877-817-6750
Need model and serial number located on label on side of tank

2) Copy following links for troubleshoot and repair resources, including service manual by type of gas control valve.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermocouple.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

3) Get parts sheet from manual that arrived with new product.

4) Otherwise, neither Whitlpool or Craftmaster.has up-to-date product manual, parts sheet, or service manual, rendering their sites near useless for many owners.
Whirlpool site has 'troubleshoot and repair' section, but this is NO help for serious DIY repair.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Yes sensor should be replaced along with lower element.

1) Manufacturer's say that flooded water heater should be replaced: Call homeowner's insurance company.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Flooded-water-heater.html

2) Brand of water heater is not known, but it could be the American or Craftmaster or Whirlpool energy-smart electric with control box.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Whirlpool-Energy-Smart-electric.html

3) With energy-smart:
1 flash is start-up failure, and 3 flashes is sensor failure.
The moisture probably shorted element and/or lower sensor.

4) The moisture inside tank will take long time to dry out, especially since the foam insulation is wrapped tight. To dry out element and sensor, you have to remove cover and insulation over element, but if you leave insulation off and run water heater, then the sensor is exposed to cool outside air and will not read temperature inside tank.
Plus a wet water heater is electric shock hazard.

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Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

call whirlpool and order new control board it should be covered under warrenty

2 flashes = high water temperature (the water heater comes set at 120, and you can set it lower or higher)
3 flashes = sensor failure (temperature sensor similar to a thermostat on regular water heater)
4 flashes = upper element
5 flashes = lower element
Links below are for Whirlpool manuals
http://www.whirlpoolwaterheaters.com/support/Manuals.aspx
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Whirlpool-energy-smart-electric-manual.pdf

The water heater is working right now.
If the elements go out, they are available at any hardware store.
The temperature sensor is easily replaced and can be ordered from Whirlpool.
You might want an extra temperature sensor on-hand so repairs are not delayed.
Link below shows the product in detail.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Whirlpool-Energy-Smart-electric.html
Let the water heater do its job until it fails.

The instructions for installing the sensor will probably included with the new part. Also, when you receive the part and actually see it, you will probably know where it will go. Sometimes, things like this happen even with new units. I have had bad thermocouples on brand new units right from the factory. It happens and unfortunately it happens to us sometimes. Good luck and if you get the part and still have trouble, contact them again. If you would have bought a GE (Rheem) unit, they would have sent a tech out to your house at no cost. I'm not a fan of Whirlpool water heaters.

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