71 on a Viessmann Vitotronic 200: Short circuit/lead break, secondary circuit return temperature sensor
Short answer
On a Viessmann heat pump, 71 means: Short circuit/lead break, secondary circuit return temperature sensor. The heat pump stops until the fault clears or is reset. An engineer is needed to fix the cause.
Reviewed 23 September 2026 · 1 source
What it means
The manuals for this range word it in different ways:
- Short circuit/lead break, secondary circuit return temperature sensor.
- Room temp. sensor HC2: No frost protection mode via room temperature sensor; No room temperature hook-up; No room temperature-dependent control.
Part involved: Short circuit/lead break, secondary circuit return temperature sensor; Room temp. sensor HC2.
When it shows: Type "Fault" (S) - triggers "05 Refrigerant circuit" on the heat pump control unit. Heat pump characteristics: Compressor OFF No frost protection mode via room temperature sensor; No room temperature hook-up; No room temperature-dependent control.
Likely causes:
- Short circuit/lead break, secondary circuit return temperature sensor.
- Short circuit, room temperature sensor, heating circuit with mixer M2/HC2.
Is it safe?
| Does the heat pump stop? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Engineer needed? | Yes |
The heat pump stops until the fault clears or is reset.
Resetting itself: Not stated in 6150133.
Manual reset: Refrigerant circuit messages cannot be acknowledged in the message history (6150133 p.155); acknowledge the resulting 05/07/A9 message on the control unit.
What you can check
- This code is only visible to engineers in the service menu (Diagnosis > Refrigerant circuit > Message history); homeowners see message 05, 07 or A9 - note that code and call your contractor.
- Note the 2-character message code and message text shown on the Vitotronic 200 display (press OK for details) and give them to your heating contractor (operating instructions 5817913 p.56).
- You may acknowledge the message once with OK as described in the Vitotronic 200 operating instructions; if it reappears, do not keep acknowledging it - call your contractor.
- Check the room thermostat/remote control and time-program settings are as expected.
What the engineer will check
- Check resistance value (NTC 10 k) Ω at connection J21 (T3) of the EEV PCB: See "EEV PCB [4-6] / [4-7] ".
- Check remote control. Replace remote control if required: See "Vitotrol" installation and service instructions.
Who to ask for: Viessmann-trained heat pump engineer with F-gas refrigeration certification; Viessmann-trained heat pump installer/service engineer.
Certification: F-gas certificate (UK F-gas Regulations; Viessmann: refrigerant work by authorised refrigeration engineers only).
What you might notice
Sources
- Service instructions Vitotronic 200 type WO1C heat pump control unit (air/water split & monobloc, brine/water) (6150133, 2023-07) ↗ · 6150133 VSA00004 · pages 176, 95 · Reviewed 23 September 2026
A code explains what the controller detected, not a confirmed root cause.
Reviewed: 23 September 2026