The temperature sensor in your dishwasher may be the cause if it’s not cleaning dishes as well as it should or if a cycle is taking longer to complete. This tiny but vital part makes sure the water is heated to the right temperature, which is necessary for cleaning to be done effectively.
You can save time and money by checking the dishwasher’s temperature sensor on your own before hastily calling a technician or replacing the appliance. A few simple tools and some patience are all that are needed for this simple process.
This post will walk you through testing the temperature sensor in your dishwasher to see if it needs to be replaced or if there is another problem. This guide will make repairs easy and stress-free, regardless of your level of experience.
- What are they temperature sensors?
- How to understand that the temperature sensor is broken?
- Testing the temperature sensor
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What are they temperature sensors?
To continuously maintain the ideal temperature of the water or air, thermal sensors are required. These days, these components are mounted on a variety of home appliances, such as dishwashers, which regulate the water’s temperature while washing dishes. Gas-filled, bimetallic, and thermistors (thermistors) are the three types of thermostats.
- Gas-filled sensors consist of a sensitive sensor, a cylinder with a tube filled with freon, and a control device. When the water temperature rises, the thermostat expands, thereby pressing on the plate, it opens the contacts and the water heater turns off.
- The principle of bimetallic devices is similar – it closes and opens the contacts during heating and cooling of the plate, which is created from two metals with different temperature expansion coefficients.
- Today, devices mainly install thermistors, which change their specific resistance when the water or air temperature rises, transmitting a corresponding signal to the control board of the equipment. Then the module switches off the water heating element.
Because the thermistor lacks a mechanical circuit and thus a lower chance of failure than its two analogs, it is thought to be safer.
The temperature sensor on your dishwasher needs to be checked in order for it to function properly because it controls the water’s temperature, which is important for cleaning. Poor washing performance or even appliance damage may result from a malfunctioning sensor. Frequent inspection prolongs the dishwasher’s life and helps to maintain its functionality.
How to understand that the temperature sensor is broken?
The temperature sensor is often found in the "home assistant’s" tray. Finding it is not difficult, but many people are unaware of the warning signs and precise methods for checking for part malfunctions. The thermistor typically signals a malfunction when there is either very little or too much heating. There are unquestionably issues with the sensor if the dishwasher’s water occasionally reaches boiling temperatures even when the operating mode is not chosen.
If there are issues with the device’s strong heating, when the door is opened the device’s body will likewise heat up significantly.
Since the thermistor in this instance stopped sending signals to the electronic board, which fails to turn off the water heater in time, it needs to be checked immediately. Thankfully, the majority of dishwashers are capable of autonomously executing automated diagnostics, which will show the error code on the screen. For instance, errors "F01" and "F02" on Miele equipment indicate temperature sensor issues.
Testing the temperature sensor
It is advisable to check the element’s functionality first before purchasing a replacement. If your model is built-in rather than freestanding, get furniture and tools ready for disassembly. We will also require a water basin and a multimeter with a thermometer for testing.
The thermistor has to be examined to see if its resistance changes as the temperature rises or falls. Measure the resistance under various circumstances by attaching the meter’s probes to the component that is being tested. When all is well, the values ought to be as follows:
- approximately 6000 Ohm at +20 degrees Celsius;
- about 1350 Ohm at +50 degrees;
- finally, 1200 Ohm at +60 degrees.
Please be aware that 5–10% measurement deviations are typical due to the fact that different temperature sensors have different tolerance fields.
It is crucial to measure the resistance twice for an accurate test: once at room temperature, or between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, and again after heating the water to 50 to 60 degrees. To conduct the second test, submerge the temperature sensor into a hot water basin and let it sit for approximately five minutes, or until the liquid’s temperature is reached by the thermistor.
The device is normal if the test indicates that the resistance lowers as the temperature increases. Nevertheless, the sensor has burned out if there is absolutely no resistance on it. Since these components are dependable and infrequently need to be replaced, a breakdown of this kind might result from a manufacturing flaw, mechanical harm, or normal wear and tear over time. Nothing needs to be done in this situation; the thermistor needs to be changed.
| Step | Description |
| 1 | Unplug the dishwasher from the power source. |
| 2 | Locate the temperature sensor, usually found near the heating element. |
| 3 | Disconnect the sensor"s wiring carefully. |
| 4 | Use a multimeter to measure the sensor"s resistance. |
| 5 | Compare the reading with the manufacturer"s specifications. |
| 6 | If the reading is off, replace the sensor. |
To make sure your dishwasher cleans your dishes properly and runs smoothly, you must test the temperature sensor. Regular inspection of this part can help you avert future problems and expensive repairs.
Recall that the temperature sensor may be to blame if you observe that your dishwasher isn’t heating water properly or if the cycle times appear strange. With a little care and attention, most homeowners can handle this simple task.
By taking the time to inspect and, if needed, replace the temperature sensor, you can prolong the life of your dishwasher and make sure you get the best performance out of it.
