Bradford White gas water heater status light: 5 flashes, then a 3-second pause
ICON control by Resideo, V1: Temperature sensor fault.
ICON control by Resideo, V2: An electronics, sensor or gas valve fault has been detected.
ICON control by Resideo, V2, on Ultra Low NOx models: Water temperature sensor failure.
ICON control by SIT: An electronics, sensor or gas valve fault has been detected.
If you smell gas
Stop: do not relight or troubleshoot anything. Bradford White’s own words (first page of both Installation and Operation Manuals, 238-51007-00R and the Ultra Low NOx 238-53393-00K):
- DO NOT try to light any appliance.
- DO NOT touch any electrical switch.
- DO NOT use any phone in your building.
- Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.
- If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire department.
Calling from a neighbor’s phone means leaving the building first.
Bradford White’s manual has 4 gas controls with a table for this pattern, and they do not all mean the same thing: the full wording for each is below.
What you see: 5 flashes, then a pause, repeating. Applies to: Bradford White residential gas-fired tank water heaters with the ICON System electronic gas control.
What it means, by gas control
ICON control by Resideo, V1
The manual’s wording: “Five flashes and three second pause”.
Temperature sensor fault.
ICON control by Resideo, V2
The manual’s wording: “Five flashes and three second pause (LED red)”.
An electronics, sensor or gas valve fault has been detected.
ICON control by Resideo, V2, on Ultra Low NOx models
The manual’s wording: “Five flashes and three second pause (LED red)”.
Water temperature sensor failure.
ICON control by SIT
The manual’s wording: “Five flashes and three second pause”.
An electronics, sensor or gas valve fault has been detected. The control may be wet or damaged.
What Bradford White tells the owner to do
Bradford White’s manual gives the owner no step of their own for this code: call for service.
semiatic gives no repair instructions of its own. The steps above are only the ones Bradford White addresses to the owner in its manual.
The repair Bradford White’s table gives — for the qualified person you call
Shown so you know what to expect, not as steps to do yourself: Bradford White reserves repairs to the gas control, burner and gas piping for a qualified service technician.
- ICON control by Resideo, V1: check the temperature wire for damage and the sensor’s resistance, and replace the temperature sensor; if that does not correct it, verify the control is not wet or physically damaged, turn the knob to OFF, then to PILOT, and light the pilot; replace the gas valve if the five-flash error persists.
- ICON control by Resideo, V2: check the water temperature sensor and its connection for open circuits, shorts or differences in resistance between the two sensor elements.
- ICON control by Resideo, V2, on Ultra Low NOx models: check the valves and the water temperature sensor; reduce the water temperature setpoint; thoroughly check the main valve and water temperature control before walking away.
- ICON control by SIT: verify all connections are tight; if the problem persists, replace the control.
When to call a qualified service agency
Bradford White’s manual: “CAUTION: For your safety, do not attempt repair of combination gas control, burners or gas piping. Refer repairs to a qualified service technician.” Its FAQ adds: “If you are experiencing operating issues with your water heater, please contact a plumbing professional.”
Source
Bradford White’s own manuals, read on the date shown.
- Bradford White Corporation: Gas-Fired Water Heater Installation and Operation Manual (238-51007-00R, REV 07/26), “Troubleshooting — ICON System Electronic Gas Control” (Resideo V1, Resideo V2, SIT) — Bradford White residential gas-fired tank water heaters with the ICON System electronic gas control. docs.bradfordwhite.com Checked 2026-09-29.
- Bradford White Corporation: Ultra Low NOx Gas Water Heater Installation and Operation Manual (238-53393-00K, REV 08/26), “Troubleshooting — Resideo V1” and “Troubleshooting — Resideo V2” — Bradford White Ultra Low NOx residential gas tank water heaters with the ICON System electronic gas control. docs.bradfordwhite.com Checked 2026-09-29.
The same pattern on other brands
The same count on another maker’s gas control can mean something else.