The information on this web site is supplemental to the printed instructions that came with your water heater. To reduce the risk of property damage, serious injury or death, read and follow all labels on the water heater and the safety instructions in the printed owner's manual.
No tools or supplies are needed for this guide.
Eight flashes every three seconds means the gas control knob has been turned off but the thermopile continued to produce millivolts. This condition can occur if the thermopile does not cool down as quickly as expected when the unit is shut off.
This condition can also occur if the gas control knob has been turned off but the pilot continues to operate.
Make sure the gas control knob is set to OFF.
Wait one minute.
Remove the outer door.
Look through the sight glass for a pilot flame.
The pilot can be hard to see. Turn the lights out in the room to better see the pilot.
If a pilot flame is observed with the gas control knob set to the OFF position, the pilot valve is stuck open.
Turn the gas control knob OFF, turn the gas supply valve OFF, and click on "Need More Help" below.
If the pilot flame is not observed then the gas control knob is set to the OFF position, wait 10 minutes for the thermopile to cool.
Light the pilot using the instructions on the water heater's label.
If the 8 Flash code returns , turn the gas control knob OFF, turn the gas supply valve OFF, and click on "Need More Help" below.