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Bryant 56: Outdoor air and coil thermistors out of range

Source: Bryant manual (PDF) (opens in a new tab) ↗ · Updated

Status code56Bryant
What does Bryant 56 mean?

Outdoor air and coil thermistors out of range. The manual calls this an event. If the thermistors are out of range, defrost occurs at each heating interval and terminates after 2 minutes.

Homeowner part this code names: AC coil cleaner.

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Call a pro: jump to when to call a pro Equipment type: AC / heat pump
How it shows: Amber status LED on a Bryant 288BNV Evolution heat pump or 189BNV air conditioner. A short flash is 0.25 seconds on and a long flash is 1.0 second on. Code 56 is 5 short and 6 long

Bryant outdoor 56 means the outdoor air and coil thermistors are out of range. The manual calls it an event. Causes include heating when cooling was called, a coil thermistor clipped in the wrong place, and an outdoor air sensor body touching sheet metal. One listed action is to inspect the outdoor coil for obstructions. If the thermistors are out of range, defrost runs every heating interval and stops after 2 minutes, the same short defrost as a failed coil sensor. Code 55 is the failed coil sensor itself.

Likely causes

  • Thermistor not attached properly or clipped in the wrong place
  • Outdoor air sensor body touching sheet metal
  • Heating when cooling was demanded
  • Sensor harness not connected, or a broken harness wire

Safe checks for 56

  1. With the disconnect and the breaker off, inspect the outdoor coil for obstructions
  2. Technicianclip the coil thermistor to the distributor entry tube, install the outdoor air sensor so the body is not on the sheet metal, and check the reversing valve if the unit heats while cooling is called
Safety firstOutdoor units carry line voltage even when the thermostat is off. Switch off the unit's disconnect and breaker before touching anything. Refrigerant, wiring, compressor and control-board work must be done by a licensed HVAC technician.

Capacitors can hold a charge after the power is off. Safety terms.

When to call a pro

Call a licensed HVAC technician if 56 stays on after the coil is clear. The reversing valve is not a homeowner part.

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Parts & tools for this fix

Taken from this code's causes or steps. A search link opens Amazon results and does not confirm a fit. Check the model number in the manual.

AC and heat pump coil cleaning supplies: guide

In this code: With the disconnect and the breaker off, inspect the outdoor coil for obstructions

Robinair 18403 fin comb / straightenerSearch: Condenser coil cleaner, general searchSearch: No-rinse foaming coil cleaner

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