Coleman Spas Hot Tub Error Codes

---or-- Message

The Current Water Temperature is 'Unknown' (- - - or - -) while in Economy or Sleep Mode.
Between Filter Cycles, while in the Economy or Sleep Heating Modes, the Pump has not turned ON and the Last Water Temperature is not current. To read the Current Water Temperature, either Change to Standard Heating Mode or turn On the Heating Related Pump, and wait at least 2 Minutes.

Coleman Spas Hot Tub Error Codes

--F, --C, or -- Message

I hope you are back in your hot tub soon enjoying the hot water and relaxation, if you require any hot tub supplies such as new hot tub filters or hot tub covers please look through The Cover Guy website I know you will be very happy with the prices, delivery, and quality of our products. The hot tub is in Economy mode: While in this mode your hot tub will only heat while it filters. Your hot tub is only scheduled for filter 2 times a day for 2 hours. This may cause your water temp to not be at what you have it set at. Slp: The hot tub is in Sleep mode. While in Sleep mode your hot tub will filter 2 times a day for 2 hours a piece.

The Actual Water Temperature is 'Unknown' (- -).
Priming Mode has been exited and the Pump has not yet run for 1 or 2 Minutes (depending on Model) to Sample Actual Water Temperature. With the Heat Related Pump Running, wait at Least 2 Minutes for the Correct Actual Water Temperature to be displayed. This is normal operation.

drY, dY, or HEATER DRY SERVICE REQD Message

Coleman Spas Hot Tub Error Codes

There is a Verified 'Dry' (drY or dY) Condition in the heater.
The 'dr' or 'HEATER MAY BE DRY WILL RETEST SHORTLY' Fault has occurred 3 times in a row without a successful Heating Cycle and Spa Functions are Disabled. There is not enough Water in the Heater to Start it. After the Problem has been Resolved, you Must Press Any Button to reset and Restart Heater Start Up. Check for Water Level, Flow Restrictions, Closed Valves, Air Bubbles, and Pump Prime, or contact us on 023 9232 1719
Check for all of the following Conditions:
1. Low Water Level.
2. Blocked Suction Fitting.
3. Blocked Skimmer.
4. Dirty Filter.
5. Too Many Closed Jets.
6. Closed Slice Valve.
7. Heat Related Pump Not Running.
8. Heat Related Pump Not Primed.

Ecn or Ec Message

If the Ecn or Ec Message is Alternating with the Water Temperature on the Display, the Spa is Operating in the Economy Heating Mode.
If the Ecn or Ec Message is ON Solid (Not Flashing) on the Display, the Spa is Operating in the Economy Heating Mode, but there is No current water temperature because the Spa is between Filter Cycles.
Ecn or Ec is Alternating with Temp:
The Spa is Operating in the 'Economy' (Ecn or Ec) Heating Mode.
The Water Temperature is sampled Only during Programmed Filter Cycles. The Heater will only operate and Heat up to Set Temperature during the Filter Cycles. The Water Temperature will probably drop Below Set Temperature between Filter Cycles. Other Heating Modes are Standard, Standard in Economy, and Sleep Modes.
Ecn or Ec is ON Solid (Not Flashing): The Current Water Temperature is 'Unknown' (- - - or - -) while in Economy or Sleep Mode. Between Filter Cycles, while in the Economy or Sleep Heating Modes, the Pump has not turned ON and the Last Water Temperature is not current. To read the Current Water Temperature, either Change to Standard Heating Mode or turn On the Heating Related Pump, and wait at least 2 Minutes.

ICE, IC, or FREEZE COND Message

A Potential Freeze Condition has been Detected, and 'Ice' (ICE) in the System is being Prevented.
44°F (6.7°C) or Lower has been detected at the Lowest Temp Sensor, or the Aux Freeze Switch has closed, and All Pumps and Blower are activated. All Pumps and Blower are ON for at least 4 Minutes After Temp is 45°F (7.2°C) or Above at the Sensors, or when the Aux Freeze Switch Opens. This is an Operational Message, Not an Error Indication. Either wait for the Potential Freeze Condition to End, or contact us on 023 9232 1719

LF or LOW FLOW Message

There is a Verified 'Low Flow' (LF) Condition in the Heater.
The 'HFL', 'HL', or 'HTR FLOW LOW' Fault has occurred 5 times in the Last 24 Hours or Less, and Heating has been disabled. There is Not Enough Water Flow through the Heater to carry the Heat Away from the Heating Element. After the Problem has been Resolved, you Must Press Any Button to reset and Restart Heater Start Up. Check for Water Level, Flow Restrictions, Closed Valves, Air Bubbles, and Pump Prime, or contact us on 023 9232 1719
Check for all of the following Conditions:
1. Low Water Level.
2. Blocked Suction Fitting.
3. Blocked Skimmer.
4. Dirty Filter.
5. Too Many Closed Jets.
6. Closed Slice Valve.
7. Heat Related Pump Not Running.
8. Heat Related Pump Not Primed.

Pr or PRIMING MODE TAKES 4 MIN Message

Coleman Spas Hot Tub Error Codes

The Spa is Operating in 'Priming' (Pr) Mode.
The Spa has just been powered up and is in Priming Mode for 4 Minutes. Pumps and Blower can be turned ON and OFF to remove any Air from the Heater. On EL and GL Systems Only, equipped with a 'Mode' Button, the Ozone Generator can be Turned ON for15 Seconds and OFF by using the 'Mode' Button. No automatic functions will turn ON during this time, and the Heater will Not Start. This is Not an Error Message. Wait 4 Minutes or Press any Temp Related Button to Exit Priming Mode to Normal Operation.
Note: On some Early VS and GS Systems (prior to Version 23) equipped with a 'Mode' button, the Ozone Generator can be Turned ON for 15 Seconds and OFF by using the 'Mode' button.

SbY or STANDBY MODE Message

The Spa is Operating in the 'Standby' (SbY) Mode.
All Automatic Spa System Functions are disabled so that Pumps and Blower will not turn ON Automatically. This Mode allows the User to Replace or Clean a Pressure Side Filter Cartridge without Equipment turning ON unexpectedly. Press any Button except 'Jets 1' to Exit and Return to Normal Operation.

Coleman spas hot tub error codes page

SLP or SL Message

If the SLP or SL Message is Alternating with the Water Temperature on the Display, the Spa is Operating in the Sleep Heating Mode.
If the SLP or SL Message is ON Solid (Not Flashing) on the Display, the Spa is Operating in the Sleep Heating Mode, but there is No current water temperature because the Spa is between Filter Cycles.
Ecn or Ec is Alternating with Temp: The Spa is Operating in the 'Economy' (Ecn or Ec) Heating Mode.
The Water Temperature is sampled Only during Programmed Filter Cycles. The Heater will only operate and Heat up to Set Temperature during the Filter Cycles. The Water Temperature will probably drop Below Set Temperature between Filter Cycles.
Other Heating Modes are Standard, Standard in Economy, and Sleep Modes.
Ecn or Ec is ON Solid (Not Flashing):
The Current Water Temperature is 'Unknown' (- - - or - -) while in Economy or Sleep Mode.
Between Filter Cycles, while in the Economy or Sleep Heating Modes, the Pump has not
turned ON and the Last Water Temperature is not current. To read the Current Water Temperature, either Change to Standard Heating Mode or turn On the Heating Related Pump, and wait at least 2 Minutes.

SnA, SA, or SENSOR A SERVICE REQD Message

'Sensor A' (SnA or SA) is Not Operating Correctly.
The Sensor Connected to the 'Sens.A' Connector on the System Board may have failed and Spa Functions are disabled. Contact us on 023 9232 1719
A Sensor Failure Message may indicate Excessively High Heater Temperatures which can scald or Burn!
If the Heater is Not Cool Enough to Safely Service, allow the Heater to Cool before Testing.

Std, St, or STANDARD Message

The Spa is Operating in the 'Standard' (Std or St) Heating Mode.
Between filter cycles, the water temperature is sampled every 30 minutes. The heater and pump will operate any time the thermostat demands heat. The water temperature is always maintained within 1°F (.5°C) of set temperature. Other heating modes are Economy, Standard in Economy, and Sleep Modes.
Note: On the Panels that Display the 'Std' or 'St' Messages, the Message will only be
displayed for a Few Seconds After the Heating Mode is changed to Standard from a different Heating Mode.


  • FLO, FL, FLC, FL1, PS, Blinking Lights
Pressure Switch or Flow Switch Failure. The codes above are all related to flow issues or the pressure switch/flow switch and are the most common error codes. These error codes can be caused for several different reasons. The main reason is water flow through the spa control system, if water is not flowing at a rate to satisfy the pressure switch, it will result in one of the error codes above. The first thing you want to do before doing anything else is shut the spa down, remove the filter and make sure all the jets are open. Then power the system back up, if the error code goes away, the problem was either a dirty filter (clean or replace) or too many jets were closed off. Other issues that can cause these error codes is debris wrapped around the pump impeller, or one of the valves is not open up all the way. The most common valve; the tee handle valve, will show that the handle is up, but in many cases the gate is still half closed, make sure that it is open all the way, you may need to dismantle the fittings to look inside. The final problem could be the pressure switch/flow switch itself. You can check the switch by performing the test below. Shut the power down, remove the two wires to the pressure switch/flow switch, find some sort of wire to join the wires, but don't do it yet. Turn the power back on, you have five seconds to join the wires together, do not join them before you turn the power on. Once this is done check ACROSS the heater element post, you should have either 110 volts or 220 volts depending on what voltage is operating the control box. If the error code goes away and you are getting the proper voltage then replace the pressure switch/flow switch. Also try it this way, Unplug the wires from the pressure switch/flow switch, turn on the pump and then jump the wires. FINAL NOTE: Most spas are equipped with pressure switches and can be found threaded into the stainless steel heater manifold. Flow switches are plumbed in line with the plumbing. You can also check the pressure switch or flow switch with a an Ohm meter. When the water is not flowing it should be OPEN, not CLOSED, if it is closed replace it.
  • OH, OHH, OHS, OHt, HL, HiLi, Sn2, Sn3, tS, Ht, Blinking Lights

Temperature Sensor Failure. The error codes above are related to a temperature sensor failure, overheat problems or a flow problem. If your spa is in fact overheating then it is caused by one of two things, either the temperature sensor is defective or the relays on the circuit board that operate the heater are stuck shut causing and over heat issue, in this case you would need to either replace or repair the circuit board. For information regarding repairs click here. If your spa is not overheating and you are getting the above error codes then a couple of things could be happening. Depending on where the temp sensor is mounted; usually in the wall of the spa in a sensor mount, you could have a flow issue. Shut the spa down, remove the filter and make sure all the jets are open. Then power the system back up, if the error code goes away, the problem was either a dirty filter (clean or replace) or too many jets were closed off. In most cases overheat issues are related to the relays on the circuit board, or the temp sensor has failed and will need to be replaced.

NOTE: Temperature sensors should be mounted in a sensor mount in the wall of the spa and not behind the shield on the heater manifold with the hi limit sensor. The temp sensor is the larger of the two silver bullets.

FINAL NOTE: Balboa M7 systems have the Temperature Sensor as well as the Hi Limit sensor installed in the heater assembly, one at each end. Both are secured with black plastic nut around the gray cable. If one of these sensors needs to be replaced BOTH should be replaced at the same time. See M7 Sensors here.

  • SN, Sn1, Sn2 Sn3, HL, E1, E3, Prh, HtS, Blinking Lights

Hi Limit Sensor Failure. These error codes are similar to the ones previous, however we will be looking at these at another angle. Once again these can be caused by a flow issue. The first thing you want to do before doing anything else is shut the spa down, remove the filter and make sure all the jets are open. Then power the system back up, if the error code goes away, the problem was either a dirty filter (clean or replace) or too many jets were closed off. Other issues that can cause these error codes is debris wrapped around the pump impeller, or one of the valves is not open up all the way. The most common valve; the tee handle valve, will show that the handle is up, but in many cases the gate is still half closed, make sure that it is open all the way, you may need to dismantle the fittings to look inside. At the same time this test is being done, put your hand on the stainless steel heater manifold, it should NOT be hot, it should only be at the same temperature the water in the spa is. If it is hot you have a flow issue, or if it stays hot after the pump is shut off either the pressure switch has stuck close (see FLO error codes above) or the relays on the board have stuck shut sending continuous power to the heater. If all these test are checked and they did not solve the error code issues, then it is possible you have a defective hi limit sensor.

NOTE: The Hi Limit Sensor is located behind a shield on the stainless heater manifold and is the smaller of the two silver bullets. See picture below for reference

Coleman Spas Hot Tub Error Codes Chart

FINAL NOTE: Balboa M7 systems have the Temperature Sensor as well as the Hi Limit sensor installed in the heater assembly, one at each end. Both are secured with black plastic nut around the gray cable. If one of these sensors needs to be replaced BOTH should be replaced at the same time. See M7 Sensors here.