The short answer
FAE4 is published with a potential cause of a diverter valve error. Since the valve is buried in the sump assembly, the useful owner-level test is not visual but audible: a working diverter changes the sound of the wash as it steps between spray arms, and one that has stopped stepping produces a wash that sounds identical from beginning to end.
Whirlpool dishwasher code as the manufacturer publishes it
Reference| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FAE4 | Potential Cause: Diverter Valve Error |
What you observe alongside the code
- One rack washed properly and the other barely touched — Water going to one spray arm and staying there.
- A cycle that sounds the same throughout — The diverter not stepping between positions.
- Poor washing that is consistent rather than random — Predictable by rack position.
- Grit left on the upper rack only — A diverter stuck away from the upper feed.
What triggers it, most likely first
- A failing diverter motor — Second: a small motor that steps the valve, and it wears out before most of the machine does.
- Debris jamming the diverter — First: it is a moving valve in the dirtiest water in the machine, and a fragment of glass or a fruit stone is enough to stop it stepping.
- A blocked spray arm making the fault look worse — Fourth: not a cause of the code, but it masks whether the diverter is working.
- A position sensor or its wiring — Third: the valve moves and the control cannot confirm it, which reports identically.
Check in this order, and why
- Listen to the main wash for a few minutes and note whether the sound changes — A stepping diverter changes the wash note; a stuck one does not.
- Notice which rack washes badly and whether it is always the same one — A consistent pattern is the diverter’s signature.
- Clean the filter and sump thoroughly — Removes the debris that jams the valve, and it is free.
- Check both spray arms turn freely and their holes are clear — Rules out the imitator before the valve is blamed.
Clearing the code, then the owner-safe checks
- Clean the filter and clear the sump by hand — Gloves and a light: glass and stones are what jam a diverter.
Tools: gloves, flashlightAbout 20 min
- Remove and rinse both spray arms, clearing every hole — Rules out the cheap imitator of this fault.
Tools: toothpickAbout 20 min
- Run a short cycle and listen for the wash note changing — A diverter that is stepping changes the sound of the wash.
About 30 min
- STOP HERE if the wash note never changes — That is the diverter, its motor or its sensor, in the sump assembly.
Before you open anything
Safety
Unplug the dishwasher or switch off its breaker before removing the toe panel or the inner door panel. A capacitor can hold a charge after the power is off, and the supply is not switched at the door. Bail any standing water out of the tub before working underneath, and go into the sump with gloves and a light — broken glass collects there. The sump is where glass collects, so go in with gloves and a light rather than bare fingers.
When this code is a service call
Call when the filter and sump are clean, both spray arms are clear, and one rack still washes badly: the diverter, its motor and its position sensor all sit in the sump assembly under the tub. The machine remains usable in the meantime if you load the rack that still washes properly.
Neighbouring Whirlpool dishwasher codes
Which model lines this reading applies to
This reading of FAE4 applies to Whirlpool-built built-in dishwashers of the generation whose service documentation publishes this code, which is where the manufacturer documents it. A machine with a mechanical timer and no diagnostic display does not produce it, and the same characters can be published against a different fault on a KitchenAid or Maytag-badged unit from the same platform. The lettered and numbered forms of this fault belong to different control generations on the same mechanical platform.
Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 12 years experience
Experienced technician with 12 years specializing in washing machine and dryer repairs across all major brands.
