Goodman furnace: Igniter Circuit Fault or Poor Ground
Try DIY first, then call a pro
What does 8 flashes mean on a Goodman furnace? Official wording: improperly connected igniter, bad igniter, or poor ground to the equipment.
GOOD NEWS: THE FIRST CHECKS ARE FREE AND TAKE MINUTES.
Try these first — in this order
Replace the igniter (20 min). Never touch the element with bare fingers — skin oils shorten its life.
New igniter but same code? Grounding or board-level issue. DIY part cost: $15–35 — a pro visit for this class of fault typically runs $150–350.
What causes it (in order of likelihood)
- Cracked or disconnected hot-surface igniter DIY-CHECKABLE
- Poor equipment ground TECH
Parts referenced by this code
Always match parts against your model's parts list — part numbers vary within a series.
Applies to
GMS8 · GDS8 · GHS8 · GMSS96 · GMH8 · GDH8
Different Goodman generations use different code maps. If your series isn't listed, don't assume this meaning — check your blower-door label.
Verified against Goodman GMSS96 Service Manual, p.33 — “eight flashes”
Last verified 2026-07-06 · how we verify