Whirlpool Dishwasher Turbidity Sensor Replacement - Signs & How-To

Whirlpool Dishwasher Turbidity Sensor Replacement — What This Part Does

The turbidity sensor (also called the soil sensor or wash sensor) sits in the sump and measures water clarity during the wash cycle. It sends a signal to the control board so the dishwasher can judge how dirty the water is and adjust cycle time and the number of rinses accordingly. The sensor uses an optical path to detect suspended soil particles.

The sensor fails when grease, mineral deposits, or food debris foul the sensing chamber and block the optical path. It can also fail electrically, fall out of range, or develop a bad connection at the harness. A damaged O-ring or seal during installation can cause leaks or prevent proper seating in the sump.

Jump to Replacement Steps

Signs It Needs Replacing

• Dishwasher runs much longer than normal The control interprets unclear water as dirty and extends the wash cycle or keeps adding rinses.
• Extra rinses every load The sensor reports poor water clarity even when dishes are clean, so the dishwasher adds unnecessary rinse cycles.
• Fault code pointing to sensor circuit The control flags an abnormal signal from the turbidity, soil, or wash sensor circuit and may halt the cycle.
• Inconsistent cycle performance Some loads finish quickly while others drag on, even with the same soil level, because the sensor reading is erratic.
• Dishes not getting clean despite long cycles A fouled sensor can confuse the control into skipping necessary wash steps or adding the wrong number of rinses.
• Sensor chamber visibly clogged or greasy When you pull the sensor, you see buildup, grease, or mineral deposits blocking the optical area or sensing chamber.

How to Replace It

1. Disconnect power at the breaker or unplug the dishwasher, and shut off the water supply line under the sink.
2. Remove the lower front access panel by unscrewing the mounting screws along the bottom edge, and prepare a towel for any water spillage.
3. Locate the turbidity sensor on the sump (usually a round assembly with a wire harness), and press the locking tab on the connector to unplug the harness.
4. Rotate the sensor counterclockwise about a quarter turn until the mounting tabs disengage from the sump slots, then pull it straight out.
5. Inspect the sensor chamber and the sump opening for grease, food debris, or mineral buildup, and clean any contamination from the mounting area.
6. Align the new sensor tabs with the sump slots, seat the assembly fully into the opening, and rotate clockwise until it locks into place.
7. Reconnect the wire harness to the sensor and verify the locking tab clicks into place.
8. Reinstall the lower access panel, restore power and water, and run a test cycle while checking the sump area for leaks.
9. If the fault or symptom persists, check the harness for damage, verify the connector is latched securely, and inspect the control board for other codes.

The Part You Need

Related Error Codes

If this part is failing you may also see one of these codes:

• Whirlpool Dishwasher E1 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher E15 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher E3 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher E4 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher E6 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher E7 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher F10E5 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher F1E1 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher F2E2 error code
• Whirlpool Dishwasher F3E1 error code

When to Call a Pro

If you replace the sensor and the dishwasher still throws a fault code or runs abnormally long cycles, the problem may be in the wiring harness, a loose connector pin, or a control-board issue interpreting the sensor signal. A technician can run continuity checks on the circuit, inspect for harness damage, and test the control board’s sensor input to isolate the root cause.