Repair or replace? What these codes actually cost
The old rule of thumb is simple: if a repair costs more than half the price of a new appliance, replace it. The hard part is knowing which half you are in. So we worked it out from the cost estimates on all 93 error codes we cover.
Before any of this: 34 of the 93codes we cover involve gas, carbon monoxide, refrigerant, or high voltage. For those the answer is never “buy the part” — it is shut off the power (and gas or water) and call a licensed technician. Cost comes second.
How the 93 codes break down
Across the codes where we have both figures, the typical upper end of a professional repair is $350, against $700 for a new appliance. That gap is why most single-fault repairs are worth doing — and why a second major fault on an old machine usually is not.
Calculated from the cost estimates on our error code pages, recalculated whenever the site is rebuilt.
When replacing starts to make sense
These are the codes where the upper end of a repair gets closest to the price of a new machine — the ones where the 50% rule actually bites. If your appliance is also old, this is the moment to think twice.
| Error code | Repair (up to) | Replace | Repair as % of new |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌡️ Carrier Furnace 33🛑 pro only | $400 | $30 | 1333% |
| 🌡️ York Furnace 7 Flashes🛑 pro only | $450 | $40 | 1125% |
| 🤖 iRobot Robot Vacuum Error 1 | $150 | $45 | 333% |
| 🖨️ Canon Printer 5200 | $150 | $80 | 188% |
| 🚗 OBD-II Car P0102 | $600 | $350 | 171% |
| 🖨️ Canon Printer B200 | $150 | $90 | 167% |
| ❄️ Fujitsu Air Conditioner Operation + Timer Light Blinking🛑 pro only | $700 | $700 | 100% |
| 🍽️ LG Dishwasher OE | $350 | $350 | 100% |
| 🚗 OBD-II Car P0141 | $350 | $350 | 100% |
| 💧 Rheem Tankless Water Heater Code 11🛑 pro only | $400 | $400 | 100% |
Percentages use the upper end of each range, so they are the pessimistic case. A quote at the lower end changes the answer.
Codes that are usually a cheap fix
The opposite end: safe to handle yourself, and the part is inexpensive. Unplug the appliance first, every time.
Cost figures are typical ranges from our error code pages, not quotes — prices vary by model, region, and how old the appliance is. Some links are affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; it never changes our advice, and on hazardous codes we always tell you to call a professional rather than sell you a part. How we rate →