Admiral dishwasher F3E2: thermistor/owi: shorted
F3E2 means the water temperature reading is so high that the control treats the sensor circuit as shorted; very hot incoming water can also cause it.
What F3E2 means
- Brand
- Admiral
- Appliance
- Dishwasher
- Code
- F3E2
- Documented meaning
- Thermistor/OWI: shorted
- Applies to
- 4 Admiral models on 1 platform
- Can you keep using it?
- With caution
What the dishwasher is detecting
The thermistor inside the OWI sensor changes resistance with temperature. A reading that corresponds to water hotter than the dishwasher should ever see sets this code, whether the water really is that hot or the circuit is shorted.
Causes listed for this condition
In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.
- Documented Incoming water hotter than about 167°F (75°C), for example from a water heater set far too high.
- Documented A shorted wire or connector in the temperature-sensing circuit.
- Documented A shorted or failed temperature sensor.
- Documented A failed sensor input on the main control.
Safe checks you can make
- Check how hot the water at the kitchen faucet gets. If it is scalding, the water heater may be set far too high; around 120°F at the faucet is the usual recommendation for dishwashers.
- Switch off the dishwasher's circuit breaker (or unplug it, if it plugs in under the sink) for one minute, restore power and run a short cycle to see whether the code returns.
Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.
What a technician checks
- Checks incoming water temperature.
- Checks the sensor reading in the service diagnostic cycle.
- Checks the sensor and its circuit for a short with power off.
Typical repairs and cost
Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:
| Repair | Typical range | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher thermistor or turbidity sensor replacement | $180–$330 | Light |
| Dishwasher main control board replacement | $260–$590 | Moderate |
Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.
Can you keep using it?
Use with caution. If the cause is very hot supply water, lowering the water heater setting fixes it and also reduces scald risk. Otherwise schedule service.
Related problems and codes
Other codes documented on the same Admiral platforms:
Repair or replace?
A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a dishwasher. Most F3E2 repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 9–12-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Need F3E2 diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?
We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.