American Dryer Error Code BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT: Burner Disk Open
BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT on a gas American Dryer with the Phase 7 control means the temperature disk near the burner has opened because that area got too hot. The control has stopped the dryer. Let it cool completely, clean the lint screen and drawer area, and call us if the message returns.
High: the burner area overheated and the dryer will not run until the cause is found.
- Code
- BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT
- Maker
- American Dryer (ADC)
- Equipment
- Dryers
- Applies to
- Phase 7 OPL microprocessor controller (also Phase 6 on ML-175/190)
What does American Dryer (ADC) BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT mean?
Gas American Dryer tumblers carry a heat safety disk close to the burner. It is a simple thermal switch: while the burner area stays within its normal range the disk stays closed, and if the area climbs past the disk's rating, the disk opens. The Phase 7 control watches that circuit whenever the dryer runs, so it notices the opening right away, shuts the dryer down, and puts BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT on the display. This is a protective stop rather than a failed part: the disk is cutting off a burner area that is hotter than it should be. That is why the maker's list points at airflow and burner behavior first, meaning lint or a restricted exhaust that slows the air, gas pressure that runs the flame too hot, or too little air passing the burner. Because the disk opened for a reason, resetting it will not fix the cause.
Affected models and control systems
This page covers gas American Dryer tumblers with the Phase 7 OPL microprocessor controller, such as the AD-120 and AD-170, and the Phase 6 control on ML-175 and ML-190 models. Other controller generations use different messages and numbers.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- The dryer stops mid-cycle and the drum quits turning
- BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT stays on the display
- The load is still damp or only warm when the dryer stops
Possible causes
Listed in American Dryer (ADC)'s documentation
- Lint or an exhaust restriction heating the burner area
- A burner temperature disk that has opened and not reset
- Gas pressure or burner operation running the flame too hot
- Not enough air moving past the burner area
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Lint packed into the burner compartment of a dryer that runs back-to-back loads all day, so air cannot sweep heat away
- A long or crushed outdoor exhaust run that lets heat back up around the burner box on this tumbler
- A burner running with the gas pressure set above the dryer's rating, so the flame heats the disk faster than the cycle can cool it
Safe checks before calling for service
- Turn the dryer off at its disconnect and let it cool all the way.
- Empty the lint screen and clear lint from the lint drawer area you can reach without tools.
- If you smell gas, leave the building and call the gas utility from outside.
- Do not reach for the disk or open the burner area.
- Note how many loads ran before the stop, then tell us.
How a technician diagnoses BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT
- Read the message and confirm the disk is open with the dryer cold, using a meter.
- Inspect the burner compartment, lint drawer and exhaust duct for restriction, and measure airflow.
- Check gas manifold pressure against the data plate and look at the flame pattern.
- Check the disk wiring for heat damage.
- The disk opened because the burner area overheated, so the cause sits inside the burner and duct system and not at the control.
- Gas parts and burner adjustments require a gas-trained technician with a manometer.
- A new disk will open again if the airflow or gas pressure cause remains.
How BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT differs from similar codes
The Phase 5 controller on older American Dryer models reports heat problems with short codes such as Hot instead of this message.
Technical reference
- Document
- AD-115/120/170 ML-120/130/145/170 Service Manual, Phase 7 Microprocessor Controls (part 451102 R2), Diagnostic messages pp.43-44
- Maker documentation
- American Dryer (ADC) owner support
- Edition
- Part 451102 R2
- Models / control
- Phase 7 OPL microprocessor controller (also Phase 6 on ML-175/190)
- Section
- Diagnostic messages pp.43-44
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related American Dryer (ADC) dryer error codes
Is BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT a gas leak?
No, it is a heat limit and not a leak. If you ever smell gas, step outside and call the gas utility.
Can I press reset and keep drying?
Only after a full cool-down, and expect the message to return if lint or exhaust is the cause.
Will a new disk solve it?
Rarely on its own. We find out why the burner area got so hot first.
Need help with American Dryer (ADC) BURNER HIGH LIMIT FAULT?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.