Goodman Furnace Blower Won’t Shut Off — What’s Happening
A Goodman furnace blower that won’t shut off is not usually a fault code by itself. It is a symptom caused by the thermostat, fan control logic, a stuck relay or board, or an airflow or safety fault that keeps the blower energized. The furnace is either being commanded on continuously or the control board is stuck sending blower power.
If your unit is actually displaying an 8-flash fault code, Goodman’s published service material says that means an igniter relay fault or a shorted hot surface igniter. Goodman also notes that open or insufficient grounding is the most common field cause when that 8-flash fault appears, especially at the blower motor ground and the low-voltage common ground.
Most Likely Causes
- Thermostat fan set to ON The thermostat fan switch is set to ON instead of AUTO, or the thermostat circuit is calling for continuous fan operation.
- Short between R and G wires A short between the R and G conductors in the thermostat wiring or a failed thermostat causes a constant fan demand.
- Stuck blower relay on control board Welded or stuck blower relay contacts on the furnace control board or a failed fan relay keep the blower energized.
- Open or insufficient grounding Poor grounding at the blower motor ground or low-voltage common ground can cause control faults and continuous blower operation, especially when an 8-flash fault is present.
- Failed blower control module A failed blower control module on ECM-style motors can drive the blower continuously even without a command.
- Safety switch or airflow problem Rollout, limit, restricted filter, or vent conditions can keep the furnace in a faulted state and drive continuous blower operation.
How to Diagnose and Fix
- Verify the thermostat is set to AUTO (not FAN ON) and confirm whether the blower behavior changes when you remove or disconnect the thermostat.
- With power off, check for a short between the R and G wires at the furnace terminal strip using a multimeter set to resistance (continuity between R and G with thermostat disconnected indicates a wiring fault).
- Inspect the furnace control board for a stuck or welded fan relay or a board command that keeps the blower energized.
- Check all ground connections on the furnace chassis, especially the blower motor ground and the low-voltage common ground, and tighten any loose or corroded connections.
- Power-cycle the furnace by turning power off for 10 seconds and then restoring power to reset any control faults.
- If the unit is displaying an 8-flash fault and grounding corrections do not resolve it, have a technician replace the hot surface igniter.
- Inspect the blower motor and control module if the relay is not the cause (ECM modules can fail and require replacement).
- Check the air filter, vent system, and any active safety switches if airflow or limit-related faults are suspected.
Parts You Might Need
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thermostat | Amazon | If the fan command is stuck or the thermostat is misconfigured or failing. |
| Furnace control board | Amazon | If the blower relay contacts are welded or the board is failing to stop the fan command. |
| Blower motor control module | Amazon | For ECM-equipped furnaces when the module fails and drives the blower continuously. |
| Hot surface igniter (HSI) | Amazon | Required if the furnace is displaying the 8-flash fault after grounding issues are corrected. |
Related Error Codes
If your appliance also shows a code on the display, these match this problem:
- Goodman Furnace 1 Flash error code
- Goodman Furnace 2 Flashes error code
- Goodman Furnace 4 Flashes error code
- Goodman Furnace 5 Flash error code
- Goodman Furnace E1 error code
- Goodman Furnace E2 error code
- Goodman Furnace E3 error code
- Goodman Furnace Ee2 error code
- Goodman Furnace Ef error code
When to Call a Pro
Call a professional if you are not comfortable working with low-voltage wiring or if the problem persists after checking the thermostat and visible wiring. Control board diagnosis, ECM blower module replacement, and any work involving the hot surface igniter or gas burner system should be handled by a qualified HVAC technician. If the furnace is displaying an 8-flash fault code or if safety switches are involved, professional diagnosis is recommended to prevent further damage and maintain safe operation. For gas line, burner, or igniter work, or if you ever smell gas, stop and call a licensed technician.