Johnson Starley J32 System ET Fault codes & diagnostics

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

System Natural Gas 9.38 kW 1994-2005 Discontinued
GC Number 43-417-61
Download the Johnson Starley J32 System ET manual The official installation & service manual (PDF) — the exact document these fault codes were verified against. PDF

This boiler uses LED flash patterns

Count the flashes in one repeating group before the pause. That number is your fault code. Do not reset until you have noted it. How to read fault codes →

Severity at a glance

Each cell = one fault code. Hover to identify.
22 High 1 Medium

All 23 documented codes

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LED Flashing

Your boiler's internal fan is failing to start or power up, which means the unit cannot safely clear exhaust gases and will refuse to ignite.

High Engineer only £180-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Fan Assembly
  • Fan Capacitor
  • Control PCB
ADC LOCKOUT

Your boiler's computer brain is having trouble processing information from its internal sensors and has shut down for safety.

High Engineer only £220-450

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main PCB (Control Board)
  • Wiring Harness

Related codes

E-01

Your boiler is failing to ignite, meaning it cannot create the flame needed to provide heating and hot water.

High DIY-safe £100-£350

What to check first

  1. Check if your gas supply is active by testing another gas appliance like a hob.
  2. Ensure your gas prepayment meter has sufficient credit.
  3. Press the Reset button on the control panel to see if the boiler restarts.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition Electrode
  • Gas Valve
  • Flame Sensing Probe
E01

Your boiler has tried to light several times but has been unable to create a flame, meaning you will not have any heating or hot water.

High DIY-safe £120-£350

What to check first

  1. Check if other gas appliances in your home, such as a gas hob, are working correctly to ensure gas is reaching the property.
  2. Verify that your gas pre-payment meter (if applicable) has sufficient credit.
  3. Try resetting the boiler by following the instructions in your user manual to clear the fault.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition Electrode
  • Gas Valve
  • Flame Sensing Probe
  • Ignition Lead
E03

Your boiler has shut down because it has detected it is getting too hot, which is a safety feature to prevent damage.

High DIY-safe £120-280

What to check first

  1. Check that all radiator valves are fully open to allow water to flow.
  2. Ensure there are no blockages in the system by checking if any external pumps are running.
  3. Try resetting the boiler via the control panel once it has cooled down.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Overheat Thermostat
  • Circulation Pump
  • Temperature Sensor (NTC)

Related codes

EEPROM LOCKOUT

Your boiler's computer memory has encountered a software error and can no longer process instructions safely.

High DIY-safe £280-450

What to check first

  1. Locate the main power switch for the boiler (usually a fused spur nearby).
  2. Turn the power off for at least 30 seconds.
  3. Turn the power back on and wait for the boiler to complete its startup sequence.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main Control PCB
  • Display Interface Module
F-15

Your boiler has been manually reset too many times in a short window, causing the system to lock itself out for safety.

Medium DIY-safe £0-120

What to check first

  1. Turn the electrical power supply to the boiler off at the fused spur switch.
  2. Wait for at least 20 minutes without touching any buttons to allow the internal timer to clear.
  3. Switch the power back on and see if the boiler resumes normal operation without further resets.

Parts commonly replaced

  • None (Software lockout)
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB) if fault persists
F15

Your boiler has stopped working because it has been manually reset too many times in a short window, suggesting an underlying fault that needs professional attention.

High Engineer only £120-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition Electrode
  • Gas Valve
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
F37

Your boiler has stopped working because the water pressure in the central heating system has dropped too low.

High DIY-safe £0-160

What to check first

  1. Locate the metal braided filling loop underneath or near your boiler.
  2. Slowly open the one or two valves on the loop until you hear water flowing.
  3. Watch the pressure gauge until it reaches between 1.0 and 1.5 bar, then close the valves tightly.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Filling loop
  • Expansion vessel
  • Pressure sensor
F40

Your boiler has detected that the water pressure in the central heating system is too low or too high for it to operate safely.

High DIY-safe £0-160

What to check first

  1. Check the pressure gauge on the front of the boiler or under the casing; it should be between 1.0 and 1.5 bar.
  2. If it is below 1.0, use the external filling loop valves to top up the system until the needle reaches the green zone.
  3. If the pressure is too high, bleed a radiator to release water and lower the pressure.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Filling loop
  • Expansion vessel
  • Pressure sensor
Showing 11–20 of 23
FALSE FLAME LOCKOUT

Your boiler has detected a flame when there shouldn't be one, causing it to shut down for safety.

High Engineer only £120-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Flame rectification probe
  • Gas valve
  • PCB (Control board)
FAN FAULT

Your boiler has detected a problem with the fan that clears exhaust gases, preventing the unit from starting up for safety reasons.

High Engineer only £250-450

Parts commonly replaced

  • Fan Assembly
  • Main PCB
  • Wiring Harness

Related codes

FLAME CIRCUIT FAILURE

Your boiler is failing to detect the flame needed to heat your home, causing the system to shut down for safety.

High Engineer only £120-£350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Flame sensing electrode
  • Ignition lead
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
FLOW THERMISTOR FAULT

Your boiler's temperature sensor is reporting an error, which means the system cannot accurately track how hot the water is and has stopped running as a safety precaution.

High Engineer only £95-£170

Parts commonly replaced

  • Flow Thermistor (NTC Sensor)
  • Wiring Harness
  • PCB

Related codes

FLOW/RETURN SENSOR DRIFT ERROR

Your boiler has detected that the temperature sensors are giving inconsistent readings, which usually happens because the water isn't flowing correctly or the system is low on pressure.

High DIY-safe £90-180

What to check first

  1. Check the system pressure gauge and top up with water if it is below 1.5 bar
  2. Ensure all radiator valves and boiler isolation valves are fully open
  3. Bleed all radiators to remove trapped air that might be blocking water flow

Parts commonly replaced

  • Flow NTC sensor
  • Return NTC sensor
  • Circulation pump
IGNITION LOCKOUT

Your boiler has failed to light after several attempts and has locked itself for safety, leaving you without heating.

High DIY-safe £120-350

What to check first

  1. Check that your gas pre-payment meter (if applicable) has credit.
  2. Ensure other gas appliances in your home, such as a hob, are working correctly.
  3. Press and hold the reset button for five seconds to attempt a restart.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition electrode
  • Gas valve
  • Spark generator
LOW POWER SUPPLY FROM MAINS

Your boiler is not receiving the correct amount of electricity from your home's power supply to run safely and has shut down as a precaution.

High Engineer only £180-450

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
  • Wiring harness
NO DISPLAY

Your boiler has lost all power, meaning it cannot operate and the control screen has gone completely blank.

High DIY-safe £150-£450

What to check first

  1. Check if your home's main electrical consumer unit has tripped
  2. Ensure the boiler's isolation switch (usually a fused spur near the unit) is turned on
  3. Check the fuse in the boiler's external isolation switch

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
  • Internal Glass Fuse
  • Wiring Loom
OVERHEAT LOCKOUT

Your boiler has switched itself off because it became too hot, acting as a safety measure to protect the internal components.

High DIY-safe £120-280

What to check first

  1. Wait at least 15 minutes for the unit to cool down completely.
  2. Check that all internal registers and warm air vents are open and not blocked by furniture.
  3. Press the 'Reset' button on the control panel to see if the heater restarts.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Overheat Thermostat
  • Circulating Fan Motor
  • Limit Switch

Related codes

REMOTE RESET LOCKOUT

Your heater has encountered a temporary electronic error and needs a manual reboot to resume operation.

High DIY-safe £0-120

What to check first

  1. Locate the mains power switch for your heating system (usually a fused spur near the unit).
  2. Turn the power switch to the 'OFF' position and wait for 30 seconds.
  3. Switch the power back to 'ON' and check if the lockout cleared.

Parts commonly replaced

  • Electronic Control Board
  • Reset Switch
Showing 21–23 of 23
RETURN THERMISTOR FAULT

Your boiler has detected an issue with the sensor that monitors the temperature of the water returning to the unit, causing it to shut down to prevent damage.

High Engineer only £95-175

Parts commonly replaced

  • Return Thermistor (NTC Sensor)
  • Wiring Harness

Related codes

SENSOR STUCK LOCKOUT

Your boiler has stopped running because it cannot detect a change in water temperature, causing it to shut down for safety.

High Engineer only £120-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • Flow NTC Sensor
  • Return NTC Sensor
  • Main PCB

Related codes

VALVE FEED BACK ERROR

Your boiler has detected a communication problem with the gas valve, which means it cannot safely ignite to provide heating or hot water.

High Engineer only £180-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Gas Valve
  • Wiring Harness
  • Main Control Board (PCB)