American Dryer Phase 6 Message: bURNER FLAME FAIL

What does American Dryer (ADC) BURNER FLAME FAIL mean?

After the burner lights, the controller expects the flame to stay on until the tumbler reaches the set temperature. If the flame goes out, the controller retries. When the flame has gone out twice, through two flame-out retries, the Phase 6 OPL controller gives up and shows bURNER FLAME FAIL. The dryer then runs with no heat for 3 minutes or until the temperature falls below 100 F, and it may shut down. The manual's action is to check flame sensing and the ignition parts. This differs from No HEAT, where the burner never lights. Here the burner lights and then loses its flame, so the gas does reach it, and the weak point is the flame itself or the sensing that proves it. Operators see the dryer start heating and then stop, sometimes repeatedly, with a damp load at the end.

Affected models and control systems

American Dryer ML-175 and ML-190 with the Phase 6 OPL microprocessor controller. Phase 7 is a separate section of the same manual and is not covered here.

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

• BURNER FLAME FAIL on the display
• Dryer heats briefly and then loses heat
• Clicking from the ignition more than once
• Load stays damp

Possible causes

Likely causes — what usually sits behind BURNER FLAME FAIL on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.

• Flame sensing part dirty or out of position
• Gas pressure unsteady so the flame lifts off
• Exhaust or air supply disturbing the flame
• Ignition parts worn

Safe checks before calling for service

How a technician diagnoses BURNER FLAME FAIL

1. Read the message and confirm bURNER FLAME FAIL.
2. Check flame sensing.
3. Check the ignition parts.
4. Check gas pressure while the burner runs.
5. Check exhaust and air supply.

How BURNER FLAME FAIL differs from similar codes

BURNER FLAME FAIL is a flame that lit and went out; No HEAT is a burner that never lit.

Technical reference

Document

ML-175 / ML-190 Service Manual, Phase 6 / Phase 7 Microprocessor Controls (American Dryer Corporation)

Maker documentation

American Dryer (ADC) owner support

Edition

ADC Part No. 450431-3

Models / control

American Dryer ML-175 and ML-190 with the Phase 6 OPL microprocessor controller (Phase 7 is a separate section of the same manual)

Section

Phase 6 OPL System Diagnostics, Diagnostic (L.E.D. Display) Failure Codes, printed p.22

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.