Lg Dishwasher: heater circuit failure

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing an LG dishwasher heater circuit failure? This issue often presents as error codes like HE or HE3, indicating that the internal heating circuit is malfunctioning. As a result, your dishwasher may not heat water properly during wash or dry cycles, leading to poor cleaning performance. Understanding the causes and solutions is essential for effective troubleshooting.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • Error codes HE and HE3 specifically indicate heating circuit issues on LG dishwashers

Possible Causes

Faulty heating element

How to Identify: Water remains cold after cycle; continuity test shows open circuit on heating element; visible damage or corrosion

Part: Heating element assembly

Control board malfunction

How to Identify: All heater-related components test good but dishwasher still shows heater error; no voltage to heater circuit

Part: Main control board

DIY Solutions

Test and Replace Heating Element

Moderate 45-90 minutes
Tools Needed: Multimeter, Screwdrivers, Nut driver
  1. Disconnect power at breaker
  2. Remove lower access panel and racks to access heating element
  3. Use multimeter to test continuity of heating element (expected low resistance)
  4. If no continuity, disconnect wires and replace heating element with OEM part
  5. Reassemble dishwasher, restore power, and test
⚠️ Safety First: Disconnect power before working near electrical parts

Test and Replace Thermistor

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: Multimeter, Screwdrivers
  1. Cut power to dishwasher
  2. Locate thermistor near heating element/sump
  3. Measure resistance vs expected spec from service manual
  4. Replace thermistor if out-of-spec and retest
⚠️ Safety First: Power must be off before measuring

Inspect and Repair Heater Wiring

Advanced 60-120 minutes
Tools Needed: Multimeter, Wire strippers, Electrical tape, Heat shrink, Screwdrivers
  1. Turn off power
  2. Inspect wiring to heating element for frayed insulation, burn marks, or moisture damage
  3. Perform continuity check to ground to find shorts
  4. Repair or replace damaged sections with proper connectors and insulation
  5. Reassemble and test dishwasher
⚠️ Safety First: High-voltage risk — ensure power is off

Professional Repairs

Replace Main Control Board

Estimated Cost: $200 - $500

Full Heater Assembly Replacement

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Error code persists after DIY checks of heating element, thermistor, and wiring
Visible water leakage onto electrical components
Uncertain about working with high-voltage electrical parts

Preventive Maintenance

  • Clean filters and sump area: Debris buildup that can affect sensor readings and water flow
    Frequency: monthly
  • Inspect wiring and components for corrosion: Wiring degradation that can cause shorts or open circuits
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Dishwasher heater circuit failure?
Common causes include a faulty heating element or a malfunctioning control board.
How do I fix LG Dishwasher heater circuit failure myself?
You can test and replace the heating element or thermistor, or inspect heater wiring.
How much does it cost to fix heater circuit failure?
Professional repairs can cost between $200 and $500 for the control board, or $100 to $300 for full heater assembly replacement.
When should I call a technician for heater circuit failure?
Call a technician if you find the repairs too complex or if issues persist after DIY attempts.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

65%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Either

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty heating element
  • Defective control board
  • Damaged wiring or connections

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Test and replace the heating element if faulty. Disconnect power, access the heating element, use a multimeter to check for continuity, and replace if necessary.

  2. Inspect and replace the control board if it's defective. Disconnect power, remove the control panel, check for burnt components, and replace the board if needed.

  3. Check and repair any damaged wiring or connections. Inspect the wiring harness for signs of wear or damage, and repair or replace as necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. LG Dishwasher HE Code

Community Discussions

HE code

Replace the wash pump assembly, which includes the heater.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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