Similarly, we have a still under warranty GDT550PYRFS dishwasher that throws a failure to drain "ftd" error code during the initial drain cycle when no water is present! I repair appliances for us for over 40 years and privately for other seniors in my community free from charge except parts for 9 years in my retirement 3 days/week utilizing a 25 year maintenance engineering background to help them.
I could call out a GE tech under warranty and may at some point but wanted to pass along that the issue is a clogged pressure sensor in the drain. I am able to clear the issue by removing the filter, adding water, and using a sanitary toilet plunger over the filter hole to create enough suction and clear the clog...lol. Hey, it works.
The unit has run for about 10 complete cycles without an ftd error but it happened again so I used the plunger and it then completed. I could call out a GE factory warranty person who would likely do what techs do and replace the pressure sensor. Being an engineer, I'm not one to just replace a part but will seek to improve the design to prevent recurrence.
Will look at adding improved filtering/strainer even though there is the standard filter to prevent buildup on the sensor. Someone else mentioned slime buildup too. I'm not sure the sensor is bad it just is getting clogged when dry impairing the sensing. Once it gets past the initial usually dry drain cycle, the sensor does it's job for the other draining cycles since water is present without issue. Best Wishes.
