Water temperature sensor shorted

Locate the thermistor in the sump area and disconnect its leads
Measure resistance — a shorted sensor reads near 0 ohms instead of ~55,000 ohms at room temp
Inspect the wiring for damaged insulation or bare wires contacting the metal sump housing
Check the connector for signs of moisture intrusion or corrosion creating a short path
Pro Diagnostic Tip
F1E2 is the shorted twin of F1E1 (open): a short reads near 0 ohms and, unlike the open which pads the cycle out, it sends a false HIGH-temperature signal so the dishwasher skips the heating phase entirely. On KitchenAid models that means dishes come out greasy because the water never reached sanitizing temperature and the cycle finishes suspiciously fast. Inspect the harness for bare wire against the metal sump and the connector for water intrusion — the combined OWI/thermistor is a single replaceable assembly, so confirm the short is in the sensor and not the harness first.
Repair Difficulty
Moderate — Some Experience NeededEstimated Repair Cost
$75–$200
Parts + labor. Free diagnosis with repair.
Parts That May Need Replacement
Bearing puller set ($120), drum spider wrench ($85), multimeter ($85), and diagnostic software. Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
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KitchenAid error code F1E2 indicates: Water temperature sensor shorted. This is a medium-severity issue affecting your dishwasher.
Locate the thermistor in the sump area and disconnect its leads Then, Measure resistance — a shorted sensor reads near 0 ohms instead of ~55,000 ohms at room temp Then, Inspect the wiring for damaged insulation or bare wires contacting the metal sump housing There are 1 more steps — see the full troubleshooting guide above. This repair typically requires professional tools and expertise.
Besides the error code on the display, common signs include: Dishes come out with greasy residue; Sanitize cycle does not seem effective; Cycle completes suspiciously quickly. If you notice any of these symptoms, check your dishwasher's display panel for error code F1E2.
Repair costs for KitchenAid F1E2 typically range from $75 to $200 depending on the specific cause and parts needed. EasyBear offers free diagnosis when you proceed with the repair. Call (415) 795-7300 for a same-day appointment.