Payne Furnace Code 13
Soft lockoutShown as: 1 short flash, 3 long flashes
Limit circuit lockout. The limit or flame rollout switch has been open longer than 3 minutes. The control locks out and auto-resets after 3 hours.
Manual wording: “13 LIMIT CIRCUIT LOCKOUT - Lockout occurs if the limit or flame rollout is open longer than 3 minutes. Control will auto-reset after 3 hours. See code 33.”
Documented for: PG92ESA, PG95ESA, PG96VTA, PG80MSU
Likely causes, most common first
- Restricted vent or improper vent sizing
- Dirty filter or restricted duct system
- Blower motor not functioning
- Defective switch or connections
- Inadequate combustion air supply
What you can safely check yourself
- Check and replace a dirty air filter
- Make sure supply registers and return grilles are open and unblocked
- Make sure the furnace blower door is fully closed
When to call a technician
A 3-minute limit trip means the furnace was really overheating or not venting. Have a technician confirm why before running it again; a tripped flame rollout switch must never be reset without finding the cause.
A Payne furnace throwing this code repeatedly has a reason — clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides it.
Sources
- PG92ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG92ESA multipoise 92% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG95ESA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG95ESA multipoise 95% single-stage condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG96VTA: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG96VTA two-stage, variable-speed ECM 4-way multipoise condensing gas furnace) · checked 2026-08-25
- PG80MSU: Installation, Start-up, Operating and Service and Maintenance Instructions (Payne, PG80MSU 80% multipoise gas furnace with 3-digit display and pressure transducer) · checked 2026-08-25