F3E2 names the thermistor or OWI sensor. KitchenAid suggests a 30-second power disconnect and service if the code returns.
Model compatibility: KitchenAid reuses codes across series and model years, so F3E2 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
F3E2 is listed by KitchenAid with the thermistor or OWI sensor as the potential cause.
Very little text sits behind F3E2 on the KitchenAid owner page: the cause is given as the thermistor or OWI sensor. Temperature sensing is the job of a thermistor, and the control acts on its readings. “OWI” is the company’s own abbreviation, left undefined.
At a glance
| Code | F3E2 |
|---|---|
| What it means | F3E2 points to the thermistor or OWI temperature sensor in the dishwasher. |
| What you can check | Pull the plug or switch off the breaker for a hard-wired unit, wait 30 seconds, restore power and start the dishwasher again. |
| When to call a technician | If F3E2 appears a second time, schedule service and mention the 30-second power cycle you did. |
Reset sequence
Begin by cutting the supply: pull the plug, or flip the breaker for a unit wired into the house. Count out 30 seconds. Then bring the supply back and start the dishwasher again. Should the code appear a second time, KitchenAid wants service booked.
How F3E2 relates to F3E1 and F3E3
- F3E1: an open sensor circuit, with a wiring, sensor or control-input origin.
- F3E2: the thermistor or OWI sensor, with no failure mode given.
- F3E3: a calibration failure, tied to the OWI or to a leaking one-way valve in the drain hose.
Within this trio the F3E2 wording is the most general, because it merely indicates the sensor.
FAQ
Is the fault the thermistor, or the OWI sensor?
Both are named together and the display cannot separate them.
Should a full cycle follow the reset?
No test length is given; a returning code simply means service.
Does the dishwasher stop on this code?
The source does not say what the cycle does.
Where is the sensor?
Not stated by KitchenAid.
KitchenAid dishwasher repair in the metro areas we serve
Our coverage includes the Miami, New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Diego metro areas. When F3E2 returns, call (844) 919-2035 and say that you did the 30-second power cycle.
Source: KitchenAid Product Help, Dishwasher Error Code or Flashing Lights
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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