PE error in LG washing machine

If your washing machine still doesn't start washing after you start it up, a simple reset won't solve the problem. The problem is serious and requires instructions. Therefore, we offer some recommendations and will begin by explaining what this code means.

Transcript

The PE error in an LG washing machine can occur at any stage of the wash cycle if the problem is new. However, the error can sometimes appear immediately after starting a program, so don't ignore such messages. The error is quite simple: a faulty water level sensor that can't determine how much water has been filled into the drum.

It's important to note that water, in this case, should be filling the machine, even if it's slow or fast. If the tank doesn't reach the minimum level of water within 25 minutes, or if the tank overflows within four minutes, a PE error will appear on the display. If no water is supplied at all, this is a completely different issue and a different error. Most likely, the display will show code IE.

Please note that IE and PE errors are similar and in most cases have the same symptoms, but they are not identical, as they are caused by different reasons.

Causes of malfunction

The main cause of this rare error in LG washing machines is a faulty water level switch. This occurs in almost 90% of cases. However, this isn't the only cause; the sensor's functionality can also be affected by:

• faulty wiring from the sensor to the electronic board;
• malfunction of the triac on the module responsible for the operation of the pressure switch;
• no air supply in the pressure tube (the tube has come off or broken);
• The washing machine installation is faulty. When water drains from the drum by gravity, the pressure switch cannot register the water level.

We fix it ourselves

If you want to fix the problem yourself, start by resetting your device's "brains." However, this is only if you're seeing this error for the first time, and the chances of it working are slim.

If you hear water draining from the tank while filling, check that the machine is connected correctly. The drain hose should be positioned at a certain height above the floor to prevent this from happening. The drain point must be at least 50 cm from the floor. The drain hose may have fallen out of its mount, be sure to check this.

After this, proceed to inspecting the “insides” of the car, and to do this:

1. Unplug the machine.
2. Turn off the water supply.
3. Remove the top cover of the housing.
4. Find the pressure switch at the top.
5. Check the integrity of the pressure tube and the tightness of its connection to the sensor.
6. Check the cable with wires that connect the water level sensor and the control module using a multimeter.
7. If all of the above is in good working order, disconnect the pressure switch and replace it with a new one suitable for your LG washing machine model.
8. Assemble the machine and run a wash cycle to check its functionality.

Very rarely, the PE error in an LG washing machine is caused by burned-out triacs on the module. Resoldering them is easy if you know where they are and what they look like. If the processor on the board is burned out, there are two options. The first is to replace the entire electronic board with a new one, which is expensive. The second option is to buy a new washing machine, which is the most common choice for users, since in most cases, the machines sent in for repair are already old and there's no point in fixing them. But let us reiterate: this is a rare occurrence with a PE error, just like the error itself.

So, in this case, you can fix the problem yourself. The key is to spot the problem early. Good luck!

1 reader comment

1. October 11, 2019 at 7:01 PM

   Alexander:

   Hello! 21st century! Guys! I'm a simple electrician. 24 years of experience. I'm no expert on washing machines! But excuse me, there was a PE error, which is what the water level sensor says. What nonsense, it turned out to be the pump. Why mislead me? You should have given all the reasons! Why does a simple guy start changing the sensor, then the tube, then the thyristor, and then the pump? And not even an Askol one, but a Chinese one! The machine is LG!

   Answer