F3E3 is a failed thermistor/OWI calibration; the listed causes are an OWI failure or a drain hose check valve letting dirty water back in.
Model compatibility: KitchenAid reuses codes across series and model years, so F3E3 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
What this code means
F3E3 is a failed thermistor/OWI calibration: OWI failure, or a drain hose check valve not sealing so dirty water backs into the dishwasher.
KitchenAid’s service documents define F3E3 as a failure of the thermistor/OWI to calibrate. They give a pair of causes, which is unusual for a dishwasher code.
At a glance
| Code | F3E3 |
|---|---|
| What it means | F3E3 is a failed thermistor/OWI calibration: OWI failure, or a drain hose check valve not sealing so dirty water backs into the dishwasher. |
| What you can check | No owner step applies. Leave the drain hose and check valve alone and note whether dirty water is standing in the tub. |
| When to call a technician | A technician needs to look at the sensor and the drain hose check valve. When you call, say whether dirty water remained in the dishwasher. |
- OWI failure
- Drain hose check valve not sealing, so dirty water backs into the dishwasher
Sensor code, drain cause
How a drain valve ends up affecting a sensor calibration is not explained by the sources. The documents only name backflow of dirty water as one reason the calibration fails. Half of the explanation belongs to the sensor, and half to the drain side.
Check valve basics
Generally, a check valve is a one-way valve. Fitted in the drain hose, it makes sure water goes out and cannot come back. When it stops sealing, water can flow in reverse.
Owner action
No owner steps for F3E3 appear in KitchenAid’s service documents. Dirty water standing in the tub when the code appears is worth mentioning on the phone, as backflow is a listed cause. Leave the drain hose and check valve to a technician.
See also
Quick question
Can the sensor alone explain F3E3?
Not entirely, since the drain hose check valve is the second cause.
KitchenAid dishwasher service in our metro areas
We serve the Miami, New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Diego metro areas. For F3E3, phone (844) 919-2035 and say whether dirty water remained in the dishwasher.
Source: KitchenAid Tech Sheet W10750900 Rev C; KitchenAid Job Aid W10573282
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
Sources & references
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