Goodman Heat-pump A3 Error Code — Meaning & Repair Cost (2026)
Outdoor coil temperature sensor fault (heat pump fails to operate in heating mode). Below: the most likely causes, and what the matching repair costs — Estimated national ranges with a metro localizer. Reviewed July 2026.
What A3 means
Outdoor coil temperature sensor fault (heat pump fails to operate in heating mode).
Likely causes, most common first
- Shorted sensor
- Open sensor
- Sensor disconnected
- Sensor reading out of range
Also applies to Amana — these brands share the same control platform, so the code and its causes read the same.
Base: 1 published national repair-cost guide (retrieved 2026-07) · full source registry on the methodology page · Code meaning & causes · Reviewed July 2026
What it usually costs to fix Estimated
A3 on a Goodman heat-pump resolves to the heat pump not heating problem. Goodman parts typically run ×0.85 against the mainstream baseline (Repeatedly cited as the cheapest-parts brand with the widest generic/aftermarket distribution ("Goodman parts are everywhere and inexpensive"); it is the $25-wholesale-capacitor reference point cost guides use when pricing Trane and other brands at a 20-40% premium above it.), and the ranges below already include it.
$195–$1,425 national estimate to fix the fault behind A3 (Goodman parts ×0.85). Enter a ZIP to localize.
| Most common repair | Typical total | DIY? |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerant charge check + recharge (R-410A) | $330–$910 | Pro recommended |
| Reversing valve replacement | $380–$1,425 | Pro recommended |
| Defrost control board replacement | $195–$615 | Pro recommended |
| Auxiliary/electric heat strip replacement | $285–$840 | Pro recommended |
Plus a typical service-call / diagnostic fee of $75–$150, often credited toward the repair.
Pick a quality tier for a class-typical estimate, or a specific brand to override it (brand adjusts the parts portion only). Enter a ZIP or Canadian postal code to localize to your metro's labor costs. Everything updates without a page reload; no data leaves your browser except the shard lookup.
Base: 2 published national repair-cost guides (retrieved 2026-07) · full source registry on the methodology page · National base range (BLS OEWS May 2025 + BEA RPP 2024) · Reviewed July 2026 · Estimated
Codes are universal — your location changes the repair price, never the code's meaning. See the methodology for the exact localization formula and sources.
Reviewed by a Red Seal–certified appliance technician who also holds a Technical Safety BC gas ticket (Gas-C) and an ODS/halocarbon refrigerant ticket (CFC/HCFC/HFC).