WTW4816FW1

Welcome to another edition of Neli’s DIY Appliance Repair Series. Today, I’m highlighting the Whirlpool WTW4816FW1 topload washer and its error codes to help you troubleshoot issues that might arise. 

In my experience, this washer handles what you throw at it, but please, use common sense. 

They’re not designed for king-size blankets and comforters. Although the machine will probably wash them fine, the unseen damage to the mechanical components worries me. 

Besides, the issue of washability comes to light, too. Any time the clothes, blankets, etc., get packed into the basket, the cleaning process can’t do its job. 

With the HE process, cleaning happens when the initial water fill dampens the clothes, and the HE soap and water mixture combine to gently clean the clothes during agitation. It’s not the agitator that does the cleaning; the damp clothes rubbing against each other do the most work. That explains why the HE process doesn’t require the amount of water you expect. 

Speaking of washing, if you ever notice a screeching sound coming from somewhere on the top or back of the machine, Whirlpool detected an issue with the ACU (main control) that can cause this mysterious noise. 

This noise is easily confused with gearcase/transmission sounds but may actually be coming from a triac on the ACU. 

The serial numbers affected are in the range C10000000 – CX4900000. If your machine is in this range, the ACU will need replacing. Be sure to book an appointment with Neli; we can help you determine if that’s the case or maybe find another cause of the noise. 

Ok, we’re off to the fun part. Let’s get to the error codes, so you fix your stuff! 

Service and Fault Codes header

Activating Diagnostic Test Modes

I’ll show you how to access the service diagnostics, but use this with caution. 

Careful here. You can mess things up if you decide to branch off and try things you’re not sure about. 

I’m showing you this so you can easily view past and present error codes to simplify troubleshooting. 

FAULT CODE DISPLAY MODE

Fault Code Display Mode

Next, take a look at how the error codes are displayed and what the “F” and “E” codes designate. Then, you’ll see the list of error codes, their causes, and some tips where applicable. 

Fault Code Display Mode II

Service and Fault Codes header

CONTINUED…

F0E0 – No Fault

F0E2 – Over Suds Condition Detected

Fault is displayed when Suds prevent the basket from spinning up to speed or the pressure sensor detects rising suds level. The main control will flush water in an attempt to clear Suds. If the water flush is unable to correct the problem, this may indicate:

  1.     Not using HE detergent.
  2.     Excessive detergent usage.
  3.     Check pressure hose connection from tub to pressure sensor. Is the hose pinched, kinked, plugged, or leaking air?
  4.     Mechanical friction on drive mechanism or basket. (Clothing between basket and tub.)

F0E4 – High Water Temperature In Rinse Cycle

Fault is displayed when washer detects water temperature 105° or higher during rinse cycle.

  1.     Hot water getting in. Make sure inlet hoses are connected correctly.
  2.     If hoses are installed properly, temperature thermistor may be stuck in low resistance range.

F0E5 – Off-Balance Load Detected

Fault is displayed when an off-balance condition is detected.

  1.     Check for weak suspension. Basket should not bounce up and down more than once when pushed.
  2.     Clothing should be distributed evenly when loading.

F1E1 – Main Control Fault

F1E2 – Motor Control Fault

Indicates a fault of the motor control section of the main control.

F2E1 – Stuck Key

  1.     One or more keys on the User Interface were actuated for 15 consecutive seconds.

F2E3 – Mismatch of Main Control and UI

The User Interface identification does not match the expected value in the Main Control Board.

  1.     A fault occurs during Diagnostic Test Mode if a mismatch of main control and UI is identified.

F3E1 – Pressure System Fault

Fault is displayed when the Main Control detects an out-of-range pressure signal.

  1.     Check pressure hose connection from tub to pressure sensor.
  2.     Is hose pinched, kinked, plugged, or leaking air?

F3E2 – Inlet Water Temperature Fault

Fault is displayed when the Inlet Thermistor is detected to be open or shorted. 

F5E1 – Lid Switch Fault

Fault is displayed if lid is in locked state, but lid switch is open; control not sensing the strike in the lid lock.

  1.     User presses START with lid open.
  2.     The main control cannot detect the lid switch opening and closing properly.
  3.     Strike not assembled correctly on the lid.
  4.     Lid lock bezel not installed correctly (must be square to embossing and flush to top).

F5E2 – Lid Lock Fault

Fault is displayed if Lid Lock has not moved into locked position or motor cannot be powered.

  1.     Lid is not closed completely due to interference.
  2.     Check for lock interference with lock striker.
  3.     Wash media buildup (detergent, lint, etc.) is preventing the lock mechanism from sliding.
  4.     Main control detects open lid switch when attempting to lock.
  5.     Main control cannot determine if lid lock is in a locked state.

F5E3 – Lid Unlock Fault

Fault is displayed if Lid Lock has not moved into unlocked position or motor cannot be powered.

  1.     Check for lock interference with lock striker.
  2.     Main control cannot determine if lid lock is in an unlocked state.

F5E4 – Lid Not Opened Between Cycles

Fault is displayed if the following conditions occur:

  1.     User presses START after several consecutive washer cycles without opening lid.

F7E1 – Basket Speed Fault

Fault is displayed when the main control cannot determine speed of basket, or speed changes too quickly.  

  1.     Locked rotor—check that basket, impeller, and motor can rotate freely.
  2.     Check harness connections from main control to motor and shifter.
  3.     Control not sensing the basket move in spin.   
  4.     Bad motor capacitor, motor or capacitor connector disconnected, or broken wires to motor or capacitor.
  5.     Belt is off or pulley is loose—check drive belt. Verify that belt is fully installed on both pulleys. Also, check that the pulleys are fastened securelv to the motor shaft and agitator shaft.

F7E5 – Shifter Fault

Fault is displayed when the main control cannot determine position of shifter.

  1.     Check harness connections from main control to motor and shifter.
  2.     Observe shifter operation.

F7E6 – Motor Fault

Indicates an open clockwise or counterclockwise circuit of the motor.

F7E7 – Motor Unable to Reach Target RPM

Fault is displayed when basket speed sensor detects that target RPM was not reached.

  1.     Mechanical friction on drive mechanism or basket (clothing between basket and tub).
  2.     Weak motor or run capacitor, or no connection to run capacitor.
  3.     Load off balance. Clothing should be distributed evenly when loading.

F8E1 – No Fill, Long Fill

Fault is displayed when the water level does not change for a period of time OR water is present but main control does not detect the water level changing.

  1.     Is water supply connected and turned on?
  2.     Low water pressure; fill times longer than six minutes. Are hose screens plugged?
  3.     Check for proper drain hose installation. Is water siphoning out of the drain hose?
  4.     Drain hose must not be more than 4.5″ (114 mm) into the drain pipe.
  5.     Check pressure hose connection from tub to pressure sensor. Is hose pinched, kinked, plugged, or leaking air?

F8E3 – Overflow Condition

Fault is displayed when the hot and cold inlet hoses are reversed.

  1.     Make sure inlet hoses are connected correctly.
  2.     If hoses are installed properly, temperature thermistor may be stuck in low resistance range.

F9E1 – Long Drain

Fault is displayed when the water level does not change after the drain pump is on for 10 minutes.

  1.     Is the drain hose or the drain pump clogged? Check tub sump under impeller for obstructions.
  2.     Is the drain hose height greater than 8′ (2.4 m)?
  3.     Too much detergent.
  4.     Check pressure hose connection from tub to pressure sensor. Is hose pinched, kinked, plugged, or leaking air?

This brings to a close another insightful and interesting (we hope) post about your Whirlpool washer! Neli’s goal is to help our DIY friends whenever we can. After all, it’s people like you that make Neli possible! 

Remember that we are here to help and whenever you get stuck and need us, feel free to book an appointment and we’ll help get your machine running its best!

See you soon.

Thomas @ Neli

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