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Hi there.
My Kenwood KDW12ST3A dishwasher is showing an E3 code (couldn’t heat to required temperature).
I suspected the heater element but testing it produces a reading of 29.3 ohms across its terminals. I can’t find that many sources for what the resistance should be but I’ve seen 30 ohms being regarded as acceptable.
Assuming the heating element is working my next suspect is the thermostat. I’ve tested its resistance and it reads high when the temperature is low (roughly 20°C). I can only find one piece of information which states that the resistance should be low when temperature is low. This information was about a different Kenwood model and I’m not sure if the same sensors would be used on different models.
So my questions are:
1. Am I right in assuming that given the heating element’s resistance it’s likely to be working?
2. Should the thermostat for this model read high resistance at low temperature or at high temperature?
3. If anyone has any accurate readings of a working thermostat (specified resistance at specified temperature) then that would just be awesome. I know this probably isn’t possible but if you don’t ask you won’t find out. 🙂
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
All the best.
Re: Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code Looking for Thermostat Informa
30 ohms is acceptable. Your “thermostat” is a thermistor. The resistance through it falls as the temperature rises.
Your fault will be THIS CHAP – one shot safety device.
Penguin45.
Re: Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code Looking for Thermostat Informa
Ahh, so it’s a wee thermal fuse of sorts?
Do you any pointers on whereabouts it is located in the unit? It’s a bit tight in there and I’m not convinced the thing I’ve found on top of the heating element is the correct bit: http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7817 … 62copy.jpg
Many thanks for the help.
All the best.
Re: Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code Looking for Thermostat Informa
Thermal fuse, correct. It’s screwed to the underside of the tub itself. not sure of exact location – might be best to get the base off for full access.
Penguin45.
Re: Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code Looking for Thermostat Informa
Unfortunately that /is/ with the base off 🙁 It’s a really horrible tight layout inside.
I’ve had a look at all of the sides and the base and the only thing that I can find that resembles that part is this one from Kenwood’s store: http://www.4kenwood.co.uk/cgi-bin/produ … ath=111264
It’s held in place with a retaining spring and is covered in a nice sandwich of thermal paste as well.
Is this possibly the part but in a different format?
All the best.
Re: Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code Looking for Thermostat Informa
Arrr. Difficult one to answer accurately…… The machine is a Chinese-built version of the last generation of Indesit dishwashers. On the Indesit machines with a mechanical timer, that clip held one or two fixed value bi-metallic thermostats for temperature control. The screw-on safety was also present, near the back under the heater (Which was then external in the tub.). If it is a thermostat, it should be normally closed (ie 0 ohms resistance).
Don’t go too mad with it – these Chinese machines are very poor quality and you will finish up repairing it regularly.
Putting ‘chinese AND dishwasher’ into the Search facility will bring up some very scary reading…..
Penguin45.
Re: Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code Looking for Thermostat Informa
Yeah it’s been a horribly familiar situation trying to find out about this machine, “cheap” would seem to be the operative word. Me and the SO only went with this machine as we remembered the last thing by Kenwood we both used lasted for years of good service (my mam’s food mixer). Very annoying that yet another company just relies on its name and sends out cheap rubbish (I’m looking at you as well, Sony).
Ugh, that search is just awful. I take it the market is pretty well flooded with these pieces of poo now? Are there any reasonable brands left to choose from? This is only our second dishwasher and now I remember the last one (some slimline Indesit) was terrible as well; the door would never shut properly.
I’ve ordered the part I linked to on Kenwood’s site as I couldn’t find it on the UKW shop. I can check its resistance once it’s here and compare it to the one in the machine. If it’s supposed to be open (0 ohms) at room temperature then the one I have is definitely faulty.
If changing the thermostat doesn’t help then it’s time for a new machine. I know you probably are very tired of hearing this but any recommendations? Even ones that are reasonable for parts and simple construction inside would be preferred for when it eventually goes wrong.
Many /many/ thanks for your help, it is very much appreciated.
All the best.
Re: [SOLVED] Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code, Looking for Informat
Hi there.
Just wanted to leave a response to this thread in case anyone comes in later looking for information.
I compared the resistance of the thermostat that I ordered to the one in the machine and they both read approximately 10K – 11K ohms at roughly 20°C. This dropped rapidly even when warming it up with just the heat from your hands (about 9K after about ten seconds of holding it).
Given that the heating element was working and the thermostat was working I decided to bin this heap of crap and get a new unit.
After much deliberation a large service bill came in for the car so we ended up with a tiny budget (£300) and so had to go for the cheap option again.
We finally ended up with a Beko DWD 5410 from Comet. It was listed at £219 with £109 for the five year extended warranty but after much bartering with the sales chap I got it for £269.99 all in. So we saved £60 but still have a delightfully cheap dishwasher (Turkish this time IIRC). Hopefully we can get two years before a replacement is needed as this effectively cancels the warranty.
Many thanks for your help Penguin45. It is through your generosity that places like this keep going!
All the best.
Re: [SOLVED] Kenwood KDW12ST3A E3 Code, Looking for Informat
My own dishwasher is a slimline Beko and it’s proving to be perfectly adequate. Good luck with it.
Penguin45.
Hi, I’ve had the same e3 problem. i have replaced the stats and it started to heat without a problem but the next wash i put on came up e3 again and it’s blown the stats. The element is ok.
Anyone any idea’s? or am i looking at a new dishwasher.Kenwood KDW45X15 slimline dishwashert. I’ve a problem that sounds similar. Dishwasher performing poorly recently now it doesn’t complete a wash cycle, either stops or runs silently (no water circulation). Seems to fill and empty ok. Ran a diagnostic cycle got an E3, I wonder about the thermistor or heating bit? I got the sides off today, couldn’t see anything obvious, I felt some ambient heat from around the unit but still not working. Ready to start prodding with a multimeter or swapping cheap culprit parts out. I’d usually pull the plastic reservoir bit out and clean all the gunge out, but I didn’t like the look of the tube clamps. Can anyone advise me? Penguin45 you seem to be a guru of such matters!
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