Flame Sensor Disconnected - Touchscreen Grills

What to do when you get Error: 0031 Sensor Disconnected error on your new Timberline or Ironwood grill. 

What Does the Grill Do when this Message Occurs?

The grill continues to cook but at a reduced performance.

Causes

The grill has detected that the flame sensor is not connected. This could be caused by any of the following factors:

• Old firmware, incorrect config version, or incorrect Device Type
• Strong wind blowing directly into the downdraft exhaust
• Bad connection between the flame sensor, Smart Combustion harness, and Motherboard
• Wiring damage to Flame Sensor Wire Harness or Smart Combustion Wire Harness
• Failed flame sensor.
  
  

What to Do

1. Make sure your grill's firmware is up to date.
   • Check your grill's firmware in your grill settings in the app or on your controller by going to Menu > Settings > About Grill.
2. Was there strong wind when the error triggered?
   This error can trigger when winds stronger than 30 mph are blowing into the downdraft exhaust for longer than 10 minutes. 
   • If so, the error should clear once restarted. Position the grill so the exhaust is facing toward a wall or at least so the wind is not blowing directly into the downdraft exhaust.
3. Run SELF-TEST and Part Diagnosis to check if all components are responding to the motherboard and if any parts are triggering other errors

IMPORTANT: Before proceeding

To continue you'll need to remove your hopper service panel. To remove this panel for the first time, you'll want to use an impact driver to remove the screws behind the P.A.L rail on your hopper service panel. 

1. If this is your first time removing the hopper service panel and you don't have an impact driver of your own. Contact our customer support team and we'll send you a complimentary manual impact driver.
   • If you already have a manual impact driver, proceed to removing the hopper service panel.
   • If you have already removed the service panel screws, you can disregard the impact driver and use a regular Phillips screwdriver.
2. Once you've removed the screws using the impact driver, continue with the next steps outlined here in this article.
    

Once you've verified current firmware and have the hopper service panel removed:

1. Turn off and unplug your grill.
2. Confirm all connections are fully connected to the motherboard.
   
   
   1. Remove the Smart Combustion cover.
   2. Disconnect and reconnect all connectors.
   3. Confirm wiring is not pinched, cut damaged inside the hopper.
      • If any wires are pinched or damaged, contact Customer Support so we can replace those wire harnesses.
3. Turn on your grill to see if the issue resolved.
4. If the error continues, turn off the grill and move to checking wiring underneath the grill.
   1. With the grill off and unplugged open the cabinet door.
   2. Remove the grease and ash keg.
   3. Under the grease and ash keg opening there will be a plate held in by 2 screws. On some models the smart combustion wire harness is secured by a zip tie.
   4. Remove this plate to expose the smart combustion wire. Cut the zip tie to release the Wire and check for damages.
      • If smart combustion wire harness is damaged, reach out to Customer Service.
      • If no damage is seen, take next step to check hot rod service panel.
   5. Remove the hot rod service panel.
   6. Open the cabinet door.
   7. Remove 4 screws holding the hot rod service panel in place.
   8. The hot rod service panel will drop down and allow access to the Hot rod.
   9. Disconnect and reconnect the flame sensor wire connection. 
      
   10. Reattach the hot rod service panel.
5. Turn on the grill. If the Flame Sensor Disconnected error still remains, contact our Customer Support team and we'll get you set up with a new hot rod service panel.
6. If you received a replacement Ignitor & Flame Sensor Assembly, verify that the AC ignitor wire was also replaced and connected correctly.
   • Ensure the QR code sticker was removed prior to installing.