LG Dishwasher Thermistor Replacement — What This Part Does
The thermistor is a temperature sensor that tells the control board how hot the water is during wash and dry cycles. It’s an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) resistor, meaning its electrical resistance drops as water temperature rises. The board uses this signal to turn the heater on and off to maintain the right wash temperature.
Thermistors fail when the sensing element goes open-circuit or drifts out of spec, usually from heat cycling, moisture intrusion, or age. Corroded or loose connector pins at the sensor or harness can also make the board think the thermistor has failed. When the control can’t read a valid temperature, it throws a TE fault and stops the cycle to protect the machine.
Signs It Needs Replacing
- TE error code on the display This is LG’s thermal/thermistor fault code, meaning the control board isn’t getting a valid temperature reading from the sensor circuit.
- Cycle stops mid-wash and won’t restart The dishwasher halts partway through because it can’t verify water temperature, and a simple reset doesn’t clear the fault.
- Dishes come out cold or not fully cleaned The heater may not run at all, or the control shuts it down early because it thinks the thermistor circuit is open.
- Error appears at the same point every cycle If the TE code shows up at a repeatable time (like just after fill), it points to a failed sensor or wiring rather than a random glitch.
- No heat during wash or dry Even though the heater may be good, the control won’t command it to run when it can’t read the thermistor.
- Intermittent TE code that comes and goes A loose or corroded connector at the thermistor or harness can make contact randomly, causing the fault to pop up unpredictably.
How to Replace It
- Turn off power at the circuit breaker and shut off the water supply valve under the sink or behind the dishwasher.
- Pull the dishwasher forward or remove the toe-kick panel and lower access panel to reach the sump area under the tub.
- Locate the thermistor, which is a small cylindrical sensor with two wires, usually clipped or threaded into the sump housing or heater bracket near the base of the tub.
- Unplug the two-pin connector from the thermistor and inspect the terminals for corrosion, moisture, or loose pins (clean or repair the connector if needed, as a bad connection can cause the TE code).
- If you have a multimeter, measure resistance across the thermistor terminals at room temperature to confirm it’s open or out of range (an open reading or wildly high value confirms the sensor is bad).
- Remove the old thermistor by unclipping the retainer, unscrewing the bracket, or pulling it from its grommet (some are press-fit, others thread into the sump).
- Insert the new thermistor into the same mounting location, secure any clip or bracket, and push the connector firmly onto the sensor terminals until it clicks.
- Restore water and power, then run a test cycle and watch for the TE code to confirm the repair (the cycle should heat normally and complete without faulting).
- Slide the dishwasher back into place and replace any panels you removed.
The Part You Need
| Part | Notes |
|---|---|
| LG dishwasher thermistor | Amazon | LG part number ACJ74110101 fits many models. Find your exact part by checking the model and serial plate inside the door frame and cross-referencing it on the LG parts site or with your appliance parts supplier. |
Related Error Codes
If this part is failing you may also see one of these codes:
- Lg Dishwasher Ae error code
- Lg Dishwasher Be error code
- Lg Dishwasher Ce error code
- Lg Dishwasher Cr error code
- Lg Dishwasher E1 error code
- Lg Dishwasher Fe error code
- Lg Dishwasher He error code
- Lg Dishwasher Ie error code
- Lg Dishwasher Le error code
- Lg Dishwasher Ne error code
When to Call a Pro
If you’re not comfortable working with electrical connectors or measuring resistance with a multimeter, call a tech to diagnose and replace the thermistor. Also call a pro if replacing the sensor doesn’t clear the TE code, because the fault may be in the wiring harness, heater assembly, or control board. If you see any signs of water leaking into the base or burnt wiring near the sensor, stop and get a technician out to trace the root cause before further damage occurs.