Thread: [FIXED] Kenmore Elite HE3 -- E1 Error

Hi Glenn,

E1 means:
Thermistor Failure. You will need to replace this.

Here's the one for your model you can order:
Manufacturer part#8577274 is RepairClinic item#1181075
8577274

You would need to take off the lower front access panel under your door, then take off the duct assembly#45, by removing the two #32 screws, and remove the #2 screw at the very bottom of the duct assembly with a bracket#11 attached to it, remove that one also. Unplug your dryer first! Then your thermistor is #42 on the blower housing, next to your thermal fuse#59.


Jake

Thanks, Jake!

Glad to help.

Jake

Hey Jake:

I just wanted to let you know that the thermistor seems to have completely corrected the problem. My wife is thrilled! Thanks again for the great help and service.

-Glenn

Excellent Glenn, good job.

Jake

I have had this E1 error code for quite awhile on my Kenmore HE3. Mod 110.92832100.
Sometimes it works just fine, sometimes it runs for a very short time then stops, clothes still wet/damp, giving the error code E1. (I've put off this repair for about 3 years)
I fixed the problem with a new thermistor (Exact Replacement Part # 8577274).


This is a very easy fix. You remove the front lower panel from the dryer (Two 1/4" head sheet metal screws at the very bottom of the dryer - front) then remove the old thermistor (same size screw head) which is located behind the chute where the lint screen sits, on the blower exhaust housing.
You can easily see the thermistor with a flashlight, and it is kind of a blind reach. I used a ¼ drive socket ratchet and was able to loosen and remove the 2 thermistor screws fairly easily.

(Note-there is an excellent video online showing the location of the thermistor. This video wants you to totally disassemble the dryer (remove whole front and drum) to replaced the thermistor. This is NOT necessary. )

The old thermistor is black - part # 3976615. It is shaped sort of like a caplet pill stuck sideways on the plastic bracket.
The new replacement is white - part #8577274. It is shaped like a large teardrop hanging down from the bracket.

I did remove the old thermistor while thoroughly cleaning the lint out of the bottom , inside of the dryer. The old thermistor was coated with caked on lint. I cleaned and reinstalled it while waiting for the new one to arrive. The dryer worked fine AFTER I cleaned the old thermistor! The lint accumulation may explain the erratic function of the thermistor.
I could see small hairline cracks in the old thermistor and I managed to crack off one of the screw tabs (very brittle from the heat).
I believe the shape of the new thermistor will reduce lint accumulation.

Do some online queries and you will find lots of good info.
Hope this helps someone else

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Leon

...(Note-there is an excellent video online showing the location of the thermistor. This video wants you to totally disassemble the dryer (remove whole front and drum) to replaced the thermistor. This is NOT necessary. )...
...
...The old thermistor was coated with caked on lint. I cleaned and reinstalled it while waiting for the new one to arrive. The dryer worked fine AFTER I cleaned the old thermistor!

I guess the video shows the removal of the top and drum because you might need the extra room to get at the screw if you're using something with a long handle. My socket/ratchet set has that problem: the socket driver handle (the type that resembles a screwdriver) is too long to fit in the space above the thermistor. I put on my thinking cap and came up with the solution of holding the socket bit in a small vice-grip pliers, so it worked like a small socket wrench. Not too difficult, and much easier than removing the drum. (Especially because my dryer is mounted on top of the washer!)

And thanks very much for the info about removing, cleaning, and replacing the thermistor!

I have been getting the E1 error for a couple months. The clothes get dry, but only on "no heat" cycle. I was ready to buy a new thermistor, when I read the post about cleaning it. I figured I'd give it a try. It couldn't hurt to try, and even if it didn't work, it would test whether I was able to install a new one if need be.

I removed the thermistor, and found it was caked with super-fine lint. Not a lot, but it was pretty densely packed where it had accumulated. I cleaned the thermistor with a soft toothbrush and a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Then I re-installed it and let it dry overnight. I tried it the next day, and .... Bravo! The dryer has been working perfectly for several loads since I cleaned the thermistor! This is great! I love to save money by doing these small repairs myself.