What the display is telling you
FAE4 points to the diverter valve, the part that switches wash water between the spray arms. The control reports it when the diverter does not reach, or does not report, the position it was sent to. Reset once and clear the filter area; if the code comes back, the diverter motor, its position switch or the wiring to them needs a technician.
Error codes
Reference| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FAE4 | Potential Cause: Diverter Valve Error |
What you notice alongside FAE4
- Clicking or grinding from the bottom of the tub — The diverter motor straining against debris or a worn disc.
- The wash sounds weaker than usual — Water is being split badly between the arms, so neither gets full pressure.
- The code followed a load with broken glass or heavy food debris — Debris that gets past the filter can jam the diverter disc.
- NEAR MISS: water under the dishwasher — A leak at the diverter has its own reading in this list; mop up and check the base before another cycle.
What triggers FAE4, ranked
- Diverter motor failed — Most likely: the diverter motor itself, which runs at every change of spray arm and wears with use.
- Debris jamming the diverter — Second, and the one an owner can affect: glass, seeds or labels that slip past a damaged or missing filter jam the diverter disc.
- Position switch or sensor fault — Third: the position switch, which can fail while the motor still turns.
- Wiring or connector at the diverter — Fourth: the connector sits under the tub near the pump, where moisture and vibration loosen or corrode it.
- Control board — Last: the control, once the diverter and its wiring test good.
Diagnostic order
- Look into the sump — With the filter out and gloves on, check for glass or debris around the opening.
- Spin the spray arms by hand — Arms that turn freely and clear holes rule out a blockage above the diverter.
- Listen at the start of the wash — A short whir or click as the arms change is the diverter moving; silence or grinding is worth reporting.
Reset and owner-safe checks
- Clean the filter — Lift out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under the tap, and refit it until it locks.
Tools: soft brushAbout 10 min
- Clear the sump — Wearing gloves, remove any glass, bones or labels from the sump opening with the filter out.
Tools: work gloves, flashlightAbout 5 min
- Run a short cycle and listen — Start a rinse or quick cycle and listen for the arms changing and the water reaching both racks.
About 15 min
- STOP before removing the lower panel or the pump — The diverter and its motor sit under the tub beside live wiring; replacing them is technician work.
Safety first
Safety
Unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before removing any panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off. Mop up any water around the base before kneeling there with the lower access panel off.
When a reset is not enough
Book a technician once a reset and a filter clean leave the code in place. The diverter, its motor and its wiring are tested and replaced from under the tub, which needs the power off, the water closed and usually the dishwasher pulled out.
Neighbouring codes
Scope of this reading
The reading above covers Amana dishwashers with an electronic control that reports codes in this form. It does not cover Amana dishwashers with dial-only controls, which flash lights rather than codes, or sister brands on the same platform, whose lists can read differently. A model-specific page for FAE4, where one exists, is the more specific answer; none exists yet, so check the use-and-care guide for your exact model before ordering any part. The brand gives this reading to more than one code in its dishwasher list and does not publish what separates them; which one appears depends on the model’s control, so quote the exact code when booking.
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Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
