the dishwasher washes but stops befor drying with E3 error code. what does it mean?

malcolm husband, April 2008

Re;TimC340's answer, I have just replaced both thermostats on my KDW243A/A and found the 90 degree on the RHS (viewed from the front) and the 78 degree centre rear which is opposite to what he said. Until recently the machine was working perfectly so I replaced them as removed. Both could be accessed just by removing the rear brace plate above the water pipes at the back of the machine which is a lot simpler than removing a side panel, which may be the reason they are mounted so.

Priestited, January 2015

We have had the E3 code showing. The element was stinking hot and glowing. The hubby has stripped the machine down and it appears to be a problem with the pump being stuck. He has freed off the pump and the machine is working again. Just thought I would share this in case it may be of some use.

Evie, January 2013

I have had this problem for months, then I cleaned all accessible filters. Now it works like new.
Think it maybe down to cold water not draining properly, and affecting running temperature

Paul Mids, September 2011

Well worth changing the thermostats... I got the pair for around six pounds including postage. Not a fiddly job. Just do one at a time to get the right one in the right place... there is a 78 and also a 90 one. Remove right side as you look at it, pull off spade terminals, unscrew thermostat, replace with similar, reconnect and close up. My machine is several years old so I suspected the heating element but the thermostat exchange worked this time. A six quid fix.

Scotty, February 2011

my machine displays this symbol at the beginning and won't do anything. How do I know if it is the element or thermostat?

Poly1234, December 2010

When you say the pink wires on the right hand side is that the right hand looking from the front ? or back ?

Have tried taking side panels off today ,as mine is displaying E3 too, and there seem to be screws at the front lower that cannot get too

Thanx in advance for any help

wooly, December 2010

E3 is a temperature error. There are two theromstats, 90 degrees and 78 degrees. The 90 degree self-resetting one is under the tub at the back of the machine, and can be accessed by removing just the rear brace bar that connects the two sides and rests on the various pipe connections. I believe it controls the water heating. The 78 degree non-resetting stat is on the right rear of the tub, and I think it starts the timer for the end of the drying cycle. This requires removal of the ride side of the machine to access. The other signal for the E3 error is the heating element itself. If the water isn't heating at all, either the element or the 90 degree stat is faulty. If the drying cycle works but appears to take forever, the 78 degree stat is the culprit - I think!! Partmaster sells the thermostats in pairs, sometimes for as little as £2.75 a pair, so it's worth changing both. The element is around £40. None of it is difficult to change for a moderately competent DIY peeps.

TimC340, November 2010

With regards to the part at the end of the 2 pink wires, this is a presure switch which tells the pcb that the water is circulating, if you short it out and the wash pump fails the heater will continue to heat and could cause a fire ! DONT DO THIS . CONTACT CURRYS AND MOAN AT THEM for selling a poor product.

repair_man, October 2010

I have a Kdw12st3a dishwasher and the error 3 is appearing what is this and what can i do?

louise, September 2010

Tnx for writing how you got around the problem with E3 Malcolm.
I am having the same problem and i followed what you did with the two pink wires and it worked.
I am at this moment in the process of ordering two thermostat but the part no you have gave does not Google well.
They should try this "Dishwasher Thermostat 90" this has given me a eBay seller for x2 at just over Tenner.
Kenwood suggest via the manual called "www.partmaster.co.uk".
The web link for the thermostat: http://www.partmaster.co.uk/cgi-bin/search.pl?brand=Kenwood&model=KDW243A%2FA&path=67231%2C111264%3A67242&shop=&query=Kenwood+KDW243A%2FA+thermostat&part=thermostat

Critch, September 2010

I read this site and realised it was something to do with heating. I took the right panel off and found a temperature sensor (it has a mate on the other side). I took the two pink wires off that went to the temperature sensor and put them together - the dishwasher worked perfectly. The other side of the sensor is in the same place as the holders for the heating element inside the dishwasher itself.

I searched eBay for the sensor ("KSD201" including auction descriptions) and bought two for £5 delivered.

I installed it and the unit is working perfectly. I kept the second in case of a relapse.

Sciamo, January 2009

i have fitted new thermostat and element and still getting e3 up??

bob, May 2008

e3 means there was a longer heating time but not reaching required temperature could be a malfunction of temperature sensor or of heating element

s elliott, April 2008