tE error on an LG washing machine

The tE error can appear on absolutely any LG washing machine. However, on models without a display, you won't be able to recognize it right away, as these machines display error codes using a combination of lights. How serious is this error? Can it be reset? Can you find the cause yourself? We'll answer all these questions now.

Possible causes of the malfunction

The good news is that an error on the LG tE washing machine rarely completely disables the machine, so you'll be able to do your laundry. There's one caveat, though: you'll have to restart the washing program and select cold water. Why? That's because the tE code indicates problems with water heating, or more precisely, it indicates a malfunction in the circuit that is responsible for heating the water. It's logical to assume that we'll have to check the entire heating element circuit until we find the fault; there's no other way. We'll have to check:

• heating element;
• thermistor;
• power supply wiring;
• control module, or more precisely, semiconductor elements that control heating.

Partial disassembly

It's impossible to even begin checking the above-mentioned parts without partially disassembling the LG washing machine. Of course, "partial disassembly" is a bit of a stretch—you'll only have to remove one element of the housing, but still. What should you do?

1. First, you need to de-energize the washing machine, otherwise you may get an electric shock when working with the heating element and thermistor.
2. It is also advisable to turn off the water supply to the machine and then disconnect the inlet and drain hoses.
3. Next, you need to pull the machine out of the niche and turn it so that the back wall is facing you.
4. We take a Phillips screwdriver and unscrew the fasteners that hold the cover of the access hatch located in the rear wall.
   
5. We use a flat-head screwdriver to pry up the special clips and remove the cover.

Once you've accessed the machine's components, you can take a multimeter and set it to ohmmeter mode. We'll be testing the heating circuit components.

Checking the thermistor

Where do we begin? First, let's remove the wiring from the thermistor. Carefully disconnect the contacts. Next, attach the multimeter probes to the wiring and test each wire one at a time for continuity. If the wires are intact, test the thermistor itself. If you find a fault, you must fix it. You need to remove the old thermistor and install a new one in its place. How do you do this?

1. We press on the special lock and pull out the temperature sensor plug.
2. We loosen the nut that holds the thermistor.
3. We take out the broken sensor and install a new one in its place.
4. We connect the power wires and put the hatch cover back in place.

It seems like a simple matter, but the thermistor might get a little stuck inside. You'll have to gently wiggle it to get it out.

Checking the heating element

Did the thermistor turn out to be fully functional? Then the heating element is next. The heating element can't be tested in place, so removing it is the only solution. Make sure the machine is disconnected from the power supply, then disconnect the wiring from the right and left contacts one by one.

Next, loosen the central nut and use a rocking motion to remove the heating element from the tank. If the rubber gasket is stuck, you can lightly lubricate it with machine oil; this will make it easier to remove. Inspect the old heating element. It's quite possible it's covered in a layer of limescale. Test the heating element with a multimeter. Discard the faulty part; it can't be repaired. Purchase a new heating element, clean the bottom of the tank and the mounting area of ​​any debris and dirt, and then install the new part. Connect the wiring and replace the hatch. The job is complete.

In some cases, the user cannot fix the tE error. This happens when the control module is the culprit. If you've reached the control module while checking the heating circuit, don't hesitate to call a technician. A professional will quickly determine the cause and repair the machine's module. Doing the repair yourself can only make the problem worse.

   

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