Vaillant Ecomax Pro 18E / 28E Fault codes & diagnostics

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

System Natural Gas 18-28 kW 2000-2005 Discontinued
GC Number 41-044-30

Replaced by: ecoTEC

Download the Vaillant Ecomax Pro 18E / 28E manual The official installation & service manual (PDF) — the exact document these fault codes were verified against. PDF

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Severity at a glance

Each cell = one fault code. Hover to identify.
1 Emergency 16 High

All 17 documented codes

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F1

Your boiler has attempted to start several times but has failed to ignite the flame, so it has stopped working for your safety.

High Engineer only £120-250

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition electrode
  • Gas valve
  • Ignition lead
  • PCB
F4

Your boiler is failing to stay lit after the initial ignition, meaning it cannot provide heat or hot water and has shut down for safety.

High Engineer only £150-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Ignition electrode
  • Gas valve
  • PCB
  • Flame rectification probe
F5

Your boiler has detected that it is getting too hot and has automatically switched itself off to prevent any damage or safety hazards.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • NTC sensor
  • Central heating pump
  • Plate heat exchanger

Related codes

F6

Your boiler has lost the ability to measure the temperature of the water used for your radiators, so it has shut down as a precaution to prevent overheating.

High Engineer only £120-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • Flow NTC sensor
  • Wiring harness
F10

Your boiler is struggling to accurately measure the temperature of the water returning to it, so it has stopped working as a safety precaution until the faulty sensor is corrected.

High Engineer only £120-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • Return NTC thermistor sensor
  • Wiring harness

Related codes

F11

Your boiler's computer is struggling to communicate with internal sensors, meaning it cannot safely start the heating or hot water.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main PCB
  • Wiring harness

Related codes

F12

Your boiler's electronic control panel is failing to communicate with the main internal computer, which disables the system's ability to operate.

High Engineer only £150-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • User interface board
  • Main printed circuit board (PCB)
  • Wiring harness

Related codes

F13

Your boiler's electronic brain has developed a internal communication error, meaning it can no longer safely operate the system.

High Engineer only £250-450

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main printed circuit board (PCB)
  • Wiring harness

Related codes

F14

Your boiler has detected that the internal water temperature is dangerously high and it has automatically shut down to prevent damage.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • NTC Sensor
  • Pump
  • PCB

Related codes

F16

Your boiler is struggling to confirm that the flame has properly extinguished after it has finished running, which is a safety lockout to prevent potential gas build-up.

Emergency Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • Gas valve
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
  • Flame rectification electrode
F17

Your boiler is not receiving enough electrical voltage to operate safely and effectively.

High Engineer only £120-250

Parts commonly replaced

  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
  • External power supply/fused spur integrity

Related codes

F18

Your boiler's electronic display or control panel is having communication trouble, which prevents it from properly managing your heating and hot water.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • User interface/Display PCB
  • Wiring harness

Related codes

F19

Your boiler has lost the connection to the sensor that monitors the temperature of the water circulating through your radiators, causing it to stop heating.

High Engineer only £120-220

Parts commonly replaced

  • NTC Sensor (Flow or Return)
  • Wiring harness / Cable loom

Related codes

F20

Your boiler's computer components are not talking to each other correctly due to a software mismatch, which has caused the system to stop working to ensure safety.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • Main PCB
  • Display interface board
F24

Your boiler has detected that the water returning to it is much too hot, suggesting it cannot circulate heat properly through your radiators.

High Engineer only £150-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Central heating pump
  • Heat exchanger
  • NTC thermistor sensor
F25

Your boiler has detected that the water inside is heating up far too quickly, which usually suggests a problem with the internal sensors or a blockage preventing water from flowing properly.

High Engineer only £150-300

Parts commonly replaced

  • NTC temperature sensor
  • Pump
  • Heat exchanger
F26

Your boiler has detected that the water is heating up significantly faster than it is circulating through your radiators, which usually signals a blockage or a pump failure.

High Engineer only £150-350

Parts commonly replaced

  • Central heating pump
  • Diverter valve
  • System bypass

Related codes