Ideal Falcon Gte Fault codes & diagnostics

3 fault codes with plain-English explanations, severity ratings, DIY guidance, and repair cost estimates.

Regular Natural Gas 20.5-35.1 kW 2000-2005 Discontinued
Download the Ideal Falcon Gte manual The official installation & service manual (PDF) — the exact document these fault codes were verified against. PDF

The fault code is already on your display

Note it down before pressing reset — resetting clears the code immediately. How to read fault codes →

Just want the most common Ideal Falcon Gte faults?
The top 6 problems in plain English — with causes, DIY checks and repair costs.
Fault codes

All 3 documented codes

Tap any card for details

S3

Your boiler's burner has shut itself down for safety because it failed to light or stay lit correctly.

High DIY-safe £120-350

What to check first

  1. Check that your gas or oil supply is turned on and you have credit on your meter.
  2. Locate the reset button on the burner control box and press it once.
  3. Check for any obvious blockages in the flue pipe outside.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition electrode
  • Photocell (Flame sensor)
  • Burner control box
  • Fuel pump
Full explanation for S3
VA

Your boiler has failed to ignite or stay lit, meaning your heating and hot water have stopped working to protect the system.

High DIY-safe £100-£350

What to check first

  1. Check if your gas supply is active (e.g., check other gas appliances or your meter credit)
  2. Press and hold the 'Reset' button for 3 seconds
  3. Ensure the condensate pipe (the white plastic pipe outside) hasn't frozen in cold weather

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition Electrode
  • Gas Valve
  • PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
  • Flame Sensing Probe
Full explanation for VA
VA-TS

Your boiler has switched itself off because it has detected that the water inside has become dangerously hot.

High DIY-safe £120-£350

What to check first

  1. Check that all radiator valves are fully open to allow water flow
  2. Inspect the system pressure gauge and top up to 1.5 bar if it is too low
  3. Press the reset button on the front control panel to restart the boiler

Parts commonly replaced

  • Overheat Thermostat (Limit Stat)
  • Circulation Pump
  • Thermistor (NTC Sensor)
Full explanation for VA-TS
Status & diagnostic codes

7 operating states & engineer diagnostics

Not faults — these are normal operating states. Tap to expand.

B4 Status Your boiler is currently running at a low power level to maintain heat efficiently, which is a normal status indicator rather than a breakdown. B5 Status Your boiler is working at its higher power setting to meet a heavy demand for heating or hot water, and everything is functioning as it should. L1 Status Your boiler has likely overheated or a safety sensor has detected an electrical fault, causing the system to shut down for safety. T1/T2 Diagnostic Your boiler's internal thermostat or control wiring has lost connection, preventing the heating from firing up. T6 Diagnostic Your boiler is struggling to switch to its high-power mode because of an electrical signal failure in its temperature control system. T7 Diagnostic Your boiler has shut down because a specific safety thermostat has detected that the burner is not modulating correctly or is incompatible with the control settings. T8 Diagnostic Your boiler is struggling to switch to its high-power mode because of an electrical signaling issue within its internal control system.