Ideal Logic L2 fault code

Ideal Logic L2 fault code explained

The L2 fault code is an ignition fault code and is probably one of the most common fault codes on an Ideal Logic boiler.

If you have one of these boilers there is a very good chance that you may experience this fault code at some point.

This fault code will cause your Ideal Logic boiler to stop working, leaving you without central heating or hot water.

The L2 fault code essentially means that no flame inside the burner has been detected by the printed circuit board.

Also if the burner on the boiler has lit but gone out afterwards it will display the L2 fault code.

If you look in the Ideal Logic installation manual under the L2 fault code it states the following;

“IGNITION LOCKOUT“

Ideal Logic boilers like most modern boilers have a failsafe built into them to ensure that the boiler works safely.

One of the fail safes in place is flame detection which is done via a process called flame rectification.

If the printed circuit board on the boiler doesn’t detect a flame, then the boiler will attempt to light the burner three times, and if unsuccessful the boiler will shut down and display an L2 fault code.

Like some fault codes on an Ideal Logic, the L2 fault code does not actually tell you exactly what is wrong with the boiler.

Unfortunately there are quite a few different possible cause of the L2 fault code on an Ideal Logic boiler.

Possible causes include some of the following possibilities;

No gas supply to boiler(gas turned off), faulty gas valve, faulty printed circuit board(PCB), faulty spark electrode lead, blocked condensate trap, blocked or frozen condensate pipework or dirty ignition electrodes.

So as you can see there are many different components on a boiler that can cause the L2 fault code.

In our experience working on Ideal Logic boilers, one of the main causes of the L2 fault code is a blocked condensate trap(siphon), or a failed ignitor unit which generates the spark inside the heat exchanger.

Aside from that gas valve failure on certain models was not uncommon. This was an issue that affected mostly second generation Ideal Logics onwards.

When to call a gas engineer to fix your boiler

If you are experiencing the L2 fault code on your Ideal Logic boiler, it is important to take action as soon as possible.

While some issues can be resolved by homeowners themselves, others require the expertise of a qualified Gas Safe registered heating engineer.

Because the fault code can be caused by several different faulty parts, it is extremely important to get a suitable heating engineer with experience on Ideal Logic boilers.

Otherwise you could end up wasting money fitting expensive parts to your boiler that are unnecessary.

Often you may be able to reset your boiler if it’s showing an L2 fault code .

However in general this is just a short term solution and usually your boiler will probably stop working altogether at some point, leaving you without hot water and heating.

So it usually best to get a qualified heating engineer to have a look at your boiler at your earliest convenience.

How to prevent the L2 fault code

A lot of the time certain faults on an Ideal Logic boiler can be prevented with regular annual servicing and maintenance. This is especially true of the L2 fault code.

Some of the parts on an Ideal Logic boiler that can cause the L2 fault code are non serviceable components.

These include; the gas valve, ignitor unit, printed circuit board and ignition lead.

There is nothing that can be done on a routine boiler service to make these parts last any longer. However there are quite a few things that can be checked.

What an engineer can do on routine servicing of your Ideal Logic boiler to help prevent the L2 fault code include;

ensuring the condensate trap and pipework are clean and have no blockages, ensuring the spark electrode assembly and heat exchanger are clean.

Also that the boiler combustion parameters are correct by check them with a flue gas analyser.

Ideal Logic boilers affected by the L2 fault code

The L2 fault code on Ideal Logic boilers can affect any combination boiler, any system boiler or any heat-only boiler.

Below is a list of Ideal Logic boilers that can be affected by the L2 fault code;

• Ideal Logic Combi C24, C30 and C35 combination boilers
• Ideal Logic + Combi C24, C30 and C35 combination boilers
• Ideal Logic Combi 2 C24, C30 and C35 combination boilers
• Ideal Logic Max Combi C24IE, C30IE and C35IE combination boilers
• Ideal Logic Combi ESP1 26, 33 and 38 combination boilers
• Ideal Logic System 15, 18, 24 and 30 system boilers
• Ideal Logic Heat 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 heat-only boilers

Frequently asked questions:

Is my boiler showing an L2 fault code worth repairing ?

Yes definitely, most of the time your broken Ideal Logic boiler displaying an L2 fault code will be worth repairing.

Obviously the cost to repair your boiler will be determined by which parts need to be replaced.

You would need a competent, Gas Safe registered heating engineer to have a look at your boiler and make an assessment to determine exactly which parts might need to be replaced.

Before replacing your boiler it is always worth getting a suitable Gas Safe registered heating engineer, with experience working on Ideal Logic boilers, to make an assessment of your boiler so you can determine whether it is worth fixing not.

Can I repair the L2 fault code myself?

Sometimes you can solve an L2 fault code yourself. You can ensure there is no issue with your gas supply by checking other gas appliances.

If your boiler has a condensate pipe that runs externally you could check to make sure it hasn’t frozen.

Aside from that repairing the L2 fault code will usually require removing the cover of your boiler to replace parts which you are not legally allowed to do unless you are a Gas Safe registered heating engineer.

Is the L2 fault code dangerous?

No definitely not , the L2 fault code on an Ideal Logic boiler is not inherently dangerous, it’s the opposite.

Modern Ideal Logic boilers are designed with fail safes in place to make sure that the boiler will only work if it safe to do so.

If you are having issues with an intermittent L2 fault code, resetting the boiler is often only a short term solution to your problem, and your boiler may stop working altogether at some point.

As such if your boiler is coming up with an L2 fault code, the best thing to do it get it repaired at your earliest convenience, by a suitable Gas Safe registered heating industry professional – ideally one that has experience working on Ideal Logic boilers.