Rinnai code 52: Gas modulating valve fault
Continuous flow hot water system (Australia), tankless water heater (United States)
The valve that adjusts gas flow to match hot water demand is not responding correctly.
This needs a licensed gas technician. There is nothing safe to check yourself. Leave the covers on and book a professional.
This involves the gas supply or burner. Only a licensed technician should open the unit or work on gas parts.
What causes it
Australian models
-
The gas valve or its solenoid has an open or short circuit, or is not receiving voltage when the heater tries to fire.
-
Damage to the flame rod or its wire, or the fan motor not running.
US models
-
Damaged flame rod or gas solenoid wiring, or a failed gas valve and venturi assembly.
-
The control board is not driving the modulating valve correctly.
How to read this code on your unit
Booking a licensed gas technician
Book a licensed gas technicianlicensed gas technician
- Turn the unit off and leave the covers on. Gas components must only be serviced by a licensed technician.
- Note the code, how often it appears, and the model and serial numbers from the rating label.
- Book a licensed gas technician and give them those details.
Models that show this code
73 models in 15 ranges
| Range | Models |
|---|---|
| Heavy Duty (commercial) | REU-AM3237WC (HD32e), REU-VCM2837FFC (HD28i), REU-VCM2837WC (HD28e), REU-NB3237WC-AK (Heavy Duty 32C), REU-NB3237FFC-AK, REU-NB3237WC-50-AK, REU-NB3237FFC-50-AK |
| Infinity | REU-AM3237W (Infinity 32), REU-AM2626WDL (Infinity 26 Touch), REU-AM2626WD (Infinity 26), REU-AM2024WD (Infinity 20), REU-AM1620WD (Infinity 16), REU-AM1220WD (Infinity 12), REU-A2626WB (B26), REU-A2024WB (B20), REU-A1620WB (B16) |
| Infinity B | REU-BM2626W (Infinity B26), REU-BM2024W (Infinity B20), REU-BM1620W (Infinity B16), REU-BM1220W (Infinity B12) |
| Infinity Enviro | REU-E2626W (Infinity Enviro 26), REU-E1620W (Infinity Enviro 16), REU-NB3237W-AK (Infinity Enviro 32), REU-NB3237W-50-AK |
| Infinity internal | REU-VCM2837FF (Infinity 28i) |
| Commercial (KB) | C199i (REU-KBD3237FFUDC-US), C199e (REU-KB3237WDC-US) |
| KB | RU80i (REU-KB2530FFUD-US), RU80e (REU-KB2530WD-US), RU90e (REU-KBD2934WD-US), RU98i (REU-KB3237FFUD-US), RU98e (REU-KB3237WD-US) |
| KBD | RUC80i (REU-KBD2530FFUD-US), RUC90i (REU-KBD2934FFUD-US), RUC98i (REU-KBD3237FFUD-US) |
| KBP | RUR98i (REU-KBP3237FFUD-US), RUR98e (REU-KBP3237WD-US) |
| KCM | RUCS65i (REU-KCM2025FFU-US), RUCS75i (REU-KCM2528FFU-US), RUS65e (REU-KCM2025W-US), RUS75e (REU-KCM2528W-US) |
| Luxury (VC) | RL75i (REU-VC2528FFUD-US), RL75i(A) (REU-VC2528FFUD-US(A)), RL75e (REU-VC2528WD-US), RL75e(A) (REU-VC2528WD-US(A)), RL94i (REU-VC2837FFUD-US), RLX94i (REU-VC2737FFUD-US), RL94e (REU-VC2837WD-US) |
| SENSEI commercial | CU199i (REU-N3237FFC-US), CU160i (REU-N2530FFC-US), CU199e (REU-N3237WC-US), CU160e (REU-N2530WC-US) |
| SENSEI residential | RU199i (REU-N3237FF-US), RU180i (REU-N2934FF-US), RU160i (REU-N2530FF-US), RU130i (REU-N2024FF-US), RU199e (REU-N3237W-US), RU180e (REU-N2934W-US), RU160e (REU-N2530W-US), RU130e (REU-N2024W-US) |
| SENSEI residential with pump | RUR199i (REU-NP3237FF-US), RUR160i (REU-NP2530FF-US), RUR199e (REU-NP3237W-US), RUR160e (REU-NP2530W-US) |
| Value (VC) | V53e (REU-VAM1620W-US), V53De (REU-AM1620WD-US), V65i (REU-VC2025FFU-US), V65e (REU-VC2025W-US), V75i (REU-VC2528FFU-US), V75e (REU-VC2528W-US), V94i (REU-VC2837FFU-US), V94Xi (REU-VC2737FFU-US), V94e (REU-VC2837W-US) |
Where this comes from
- Error codes for gas continuous flow water heaters (HW Gas CF ERR) , page 4
- Infinity gas continuous flow operation and installation manual , page 12
- Infinity Enviro 32 / HDC32 operation and installation manual , page 12
- Troubleshooting tankless water heater diagnostic codes (100000652), non-SENSEI and SENSEI series , page 40, 41
- N Series residential condensing installation and operation manual (100000467), RU199e/RU180e/RU160e/RU130e , page 60
Checked against the manufacturer's manual on 9 October 2026.
Other Rinnai tankless water heater codes
| Code | Meaning | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Venturi control failure | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 17 | Venturi blockage | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 18 | Gas valve adjustment limit | Call a pro |
| 22 | Gas valve adjustment fault | Call a pro |
| 36 | Lower tank thermistor fault | Call a pro |
| 38 | Exhaust temperature thermistor fault | Call a pro |
| 41 | Frost protection (ambient) sensor fault | Call a pro |
| 51 | Inlet water thermistor fault | Call a pro |
| 54 | High exhaust gas temperature | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 55 | Service reminder | Safe checks first, then a pro |
| 57 | Burner overheat switch open | Call a pro |
| 71 | Gas solenoid valve failure | Call a pro |
See all gas valve fault codes on tankless water heaters across brands.