Coleman-Mach Air Conditioner: “Heat-pump strike condition”
info RV air conditioner error codes
What it means
In electric-heat (heat-pump) mode the thermostat flashes the 'Elec' segment while it brings the gas furnace on to assist the heat pump. This happens when the room falls about 5 F below the heat set point. Repeated assists accumulate 'strikes'; after three strikes the electric heat is locked out for 1 hour 45 minutes and gas heat becomes primary. It is a designed operating behavior, not a hard fault.
Most likely causes
- Heat pump cannot keep up in cold weather, so gas heat is assisting (normal at low outdoor temps) most likely
- Room dropped 5 F below the heat set point, triggering gas-heat assist common
- Electric heat reached three strikes and is temporarily disabled for 1 hr 45 min common
Safe checks you can do yourself
- Recognize that in cold conditions gas-heat assist and the flashing Elec segment are normal.
- If you prefer pure gas heat, switch the thermostat to gas/furnace mode.
- Confirm the furnace is actually firing and producing heat when the segment flashes.
- Allow the 1 hr 45 min lockout to expire; electric heat returns as primary automatically.
How to reset / clear Heat-pump strike condition
- No reset is required; the strike counter resets after 20 minutes of electric heat running without gas assist, and the lockout clears after 1 hr 45 min.
- To clear immediately you can change mode or perform a manual reboot (hold knob ~12 seconds).
When to call a technician
The Elec segment flashes but no heat is produced, the furnace fails to ignite, or the heat pump never carries the load in mild weather, indicating a heat-pump or furnace fault.
Accuracy notes
Applies to heat-pump-equipped configurations only. This is a status flash, not a numeric error code; thresholds and timers are from the official manual.
Applies to
9420*381 · 9420*382 · 8330-series Digital Wall Thermostat (heat-pump configurations)
FAQ
What does Coleman-Mach Air Conditioner code "Heat-pump strike condition" mean?
In electric-heat (heat-pump) mode the thermostat flashes the 'Elec' segment while it brings the gas furnace on to assist the heat pump. This happens when the room falls about 5 F below the heat set point. Repeated assists accumulate 'strikes'; after three strikes the electric heat is locked out for 1 hour 45 minutes and gas heat becomes primary. It is a designed operating behavior, not a hard fault.
How do I reset Coleman-Mach Air Conditioner Heat-pump strike condition?
No reset is required; the strike counter resets after 20 minutes of electric heat running without gas assist, and the lockout clears after 1 hr 45 min. To clear immediately you can change mode or perform a manual reboot (hold knob ~12 seconds).
What is the most common cause of Heat-pump strike condition on a Coleman-Mach Air Conditioner?
The most likely cause is heat pump cannot keep up in cold weather, so gas heat is assisting (normal at low outdoor temps).
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Sources
- Installation, Operation & Application Guide for Digital Wall Thermostat 9420*381 & 9420*382 — Doc 1980R189, Elec Heating Mode section (Airxcel, Inc. / Coleman-Mach (RV Products Division))
● Checked against 1 manufacturer document · Last verified 2026-06-29 · compiled from manufacturer documentation. Codes can vary by model year — always cross-check your unit’s manual. How we verify