Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher error codes

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C1

Listed as drain time exceeded 2 minutes.

Clear clogs from the sink drain. Unplug the dishwasher and clear clogs from the dishwasher drain hose. If the drain hose is damaged, replace it. Check the drain pump for a clog or damage. If the drain pump is damaged, replace it. Parts named: drain pump, Drain hose.

• A clog in the sink drain or garbage disposal that slows the outflow: C1 appears and the tub still holds water at the end of a drain phase that ran past 2 minutes. Run water into the sink and see whether it drains slowly
• A clog in the dishwasher drain hose between the pump and the sink connection: The sink drains fine but water leaves the tub slowly. Unplug the dishwasher and check the whole length of the hose for a clog
• A damaged or kinked drain hose that restricts flow: The hose is squashed behind the dishwasher or collapsed inside. Look for kinks and damage along the hose, and replace it if it is damaged
• A drain pump that is clogged or damaged and moves water too slowly: The hose and sink are clear but the drain still runs long. Inspect the pump for debris and damage; the chart replaces it if it is damaged

Start with the sink or disposal, since the dishwasher drains into it and a slow sink looks like a slow dishwasher. Run water to test.

Disconnect the hose at the sink end into a pan and clear it. The chart replaces the hose if it is damaged.

Inspect the pump for debris and replace it if it is damaged. C1 is the shorter 2 minute timer, so a partly slow path is a likely cause.

C1 (363 electronic control model table).

Drain pump and drain hose.

A shallow pan, towels, and a screwdriver or nut driver.

What does C1 mean on a Kenmore 363 dishwasher? The drain time exceeded 2 minutes, in the chart's words.

How is C1 different from C2 and C3? C2 is a drain that ran past 7 minutes and C3 is a dishwasher that won't drain. The chart gives all three the same checks.

Where do I start? With the sink drain, then the drain hose, then the drain pump.

Stop and unplug before reaching into the pump or hose, because water in the sump can hide live wiring

Do not keep running cycles with standing dirty water; drain the tub and clear the path first

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C2

Listed as drain time exceeded 7 minutes.

Clear clogs from the sink drain. Unplug the dishwasher and clear clogs from the dishwasher drain hose. If the drain hose is damaged, replace it. Check the drain pump for a clog or damage. If the drain pump is damaged, replace it. Parts named: drain pump, Drain hose.

• A severe clog in the drain hose or sink drain that nearly stops the outflow: C2 appears after the drain ran the full 7 minutes with water left in the tub. Check the sink and the hose for a heavy blockage such as grease
• A failing drain pump that barely moves water: The pump hums or runs but only a little water leaves. Inspect the pump for debris, then look for damage to the impeller
• A collapsed or damaged drain hose: The hose was crushed when the dishwasher was pushed back. Look for a flattened section and replace the hose if it is damaged

C2 means the dishwasher gave up after 7 minutes, so a blocked sink or disposal is the first place to look.

Replace the hose if it is damaged. A long drain that fails completely usually means a hard blockage rather than a slow one.

The chart names the pump and the hose as the two parts for C2, in that order after the sink.

Is C2 more serious than C1? It is the longer timer, so it usually means a harder blockage, but the chart's checks are the same.

Should I clear the sink first? Yes. The chart begins with the sink drain before the dishwasher's own hose and pump.

Stop and unplug before working at the pump

If the tub is full of dirty water, bail it out by hand before you work under the machine

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C3

Listed as won't drain.

Clear clogs from the sink drain. Unplug the dishwasher and clear clogs from the dishwasher drain hose. If the drain hose is damaged, replace it. Check the drain pump for a clog or damage. If the drain pump is damaged, replace it. Parts named: drain pump, Drain hose.

• A complete blockage in the sink drain, disposal or air gap: C3 appears and no water leaves the tub at all. Check whether the sink drain is completely blocked
• A clogged or kinked drain hose: The pump runs but nothing moves through the hose. Disconnect the hose and check for a clog or a kink
• A seized or damaged drain pump: The pump does not run or the impeller does not turn. Check the pump for debris, then look for damage to the impeller

The dishwasher drains through the sink or disposal, so a fully blocked sink stops it completely.

Replace the hose if it is damaged. C3 also comes up as the first step of the C4 overfill check.

Replace the pump if it is damaged. If the pump runs and the hose and sink are clear, the pump itself is the remaining cause.

How does it relate to C4? The chart says to do the C3 troubleshooting if an overfilled C4 dishwasher will not drain when the cycle is cancelled.

Is it different from C1 and C2? C1 and C2 are timed drains that ran too long; C3 is a drain that did not happen.

Can C3 come from something other than the drain? The chart lists only the drain pump and the drain hose for C3, after the sink drain. A dishwasher that will not drain into a blocked sink or disposal shows C3 too, so clear the sink first.

Stop and unplug before reaching into the pump

Do not open the door on a full tub; the water will spill across the floor

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C4

Listed as dishwasher overfilled.

Cancel the cycle and if the dishwasher doesn't then drain, do the troubleshooting for the C3 (Won't drain) error code. If the dishwasher drains when you cancel the cycle, check for an item stuck under the overfill float. Unplug the dishwasher and check the overfill float switch for damage. Replace the overfill float switch if damaged. Parts named: overfill float switch, Drain pump, Drain hose.

• An item stuck under the overfill float keeping it from seating: C4 appears and the tub is filled well above its normal level. Cancel the cycle, and look under the float for anything stuck there
• A damaged overfill float switch: The float looks fine but the switch does not behave. Unplug the dishwasher and check the switch for damage
• A drain fault that leaves water in the tub: The tub does not drain when the cycle is cancelled. If it does not drain on cancel, follow the C3 won't-drain steps

If it does not drain, do the C3 troubleshooting. This separates a drain fault from a fill fault.

Lift the float mushroom in the tub and clear anything caught under it, such as a label, a utensil or a piece of a broken dish.

Replace the overfill float switch if it is damaged. The chart also lists the drain pump and drain hose as parts, through the C3 route.

Overfill float switch, drain pump and drain hose.

Towels, a shallow pan, and a screwdriver or nut driver.

Can a stuck float cause it? Yes. An item stuck under the overfill float is the first check once the tub drains.

Stop and shut off the water supply if the tub keeps filling after you cancel the cycle

Do not open the door on an overfull tub without towels ready

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C5

Listed as drain time is too short (Dishwasher is underfilled).

Make sure that the water supply for the dishwasher is fully open.

Check the overfill float switch to see if it's stuck in the up position, which would keep the dishwasher from filling properly. Unplug the dishwasher and shut off the water supply, and then disconnect the fill line and examine the inlet water valve. If the inlet screen is clogged, replace the water valve-don't just clean the screen, because debris could enter the valve body, causing the valve to stay open, resulting in flooding. Check the wiring connections on the inlet water valve and secure any loose connections. If the water valve won't open when activated, replace it. Parts named: overfill float switch, Inlet water valve.

• The water supply to the dishwasher is not fully open: C5 appears and the tub fills only partway before the drain phase ends early. Check that the supply valve under the sink is fully open
• The overfill float is stuck in the up position and stops the fill: The float sits high in the tub and does not drop back down. Look under the float for anything holding it up
• A clogged screen on the inlet water valve: The fill is weak even with the supply fully open. Unplug the dishwasher, shut the water and examine the inlet valve screen
• An inlet water valve that will not open when activated: The wiring is secure and the valve still does not pass water. The chart replaces the valve if it will not open when activated

The chart names an underfilled tub as the meaning of C5, so a half-open valve is the first thing to rule out.

A float that stays up keeps the dishwasher from filling properly, so lift it gently and see whether it drops back down.

If the inlet screen is clogged, replace the valve. The chart warns that debris could enter the valve body and leave the valve open, causing a flood.

Overfill float switch and inlet water valve.

Why replace the valve rather than clean the screen? Debris could enter the valve body, keep the valve open and cause a flood.

What if the wiring is loose? Secure any loose connections on the inlet water valve; if the valve still won't open when activated, replace it.

Stop and shut off the water supply before you disconnect the fill line

Do not clean and reuse a clogged valve screen; the chart replaces the valve

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C6

Listed as water temperature too low.

Run the hot tap at the kitchen sink for 1 minute and then fill a glass with the hot tap water.

Measure the water temperature with an accurate thermometer. If the water temperature is less than 120 degrees, adjust the water heater setting. Adjust the water temperature setting in small increments to prevent scalding. If the supply water temperature is normal, the temperature sensor or electronic control board might have failed. Parts named: water temperature sensor, Electronic control board.

• Hot water at the kitchen supply that is below 120 degrees: C6 appears and the water at the sink is only warm. Run the hot tap for a minute, fill a glass and measure it with an accurate thermometer
• A water heater set too low: The whole house has only lukewarm hot water at every tap. Check the temperature setting on the water heater itself
• A failed water temperature sensor: The supply water is a normal temperature and C6 remains. The chart names the sensor when the supply is normal
• A failed electronic control board: The sensor is good and the code still persists afterwards. The chart names the control board when the supply is normal

Use the tap nearest the dishwasher so you measure what the dishwasher will actually receive from the supply line.

If it is below 120 degrees, adjust the water heater setting in small increments to prevent scalding.

The chart says the sensor or electronic control board might have failed when the supply is normal.

Water temperature sensor and electronic control board.

An accurate thermometer and a glass.

What temperature is too low? The chart says below 120 degrees is a reason to adjust the water heater.

Why adjust the heater in small steps? To prevent scalding, according to the chart.

Adjust the water heater setting only in small steps to prevent scalding, as the chart says

Leave a gas water heater adjustment to a professional if you are not sure how

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C7

Listed as water temperature sensor is defective.

Unplug the dishwasher for 3 minutes to reset the electronic control board. Restore power. If the code returns, unplug the dishwasher and secure any loose wire connections on the water temperature sensor. If the wiring connections are secure, replace the water temperature sensor. If the problem persists, replace the electronic control board. Parts named: water temperature sensor, Electronic control board.

• A loose wire connection at the water temperature sensor: C7 appears and comes back again after a power reset. Unplug the dishwasher and check the sensor wiring connections
• A failed water temperature sensor: The wiring is secure and the code still returns. The chart replaces the sensor once the wiring is secure
• A failed electronic control board: A new sensor fitted to the dishwasher still gives C7. The chart replaces the board if the problem persists

Restore power afterwards and run a cycle. The chart treats a code that does not return as cleared, so watch the whole cycle.

A loose connector gives the same code as a failed sensor, and it costs nothing to reseat, so check every connector on the sensor.

The chart names the sensor first and the board second, so do not order the board until the sensor has been replaced.

Water temperature sensor and electronic control board.

A screwdriver or nut driver.

Does a reset help? It is the chart's first step: unplug for 3 minutes to reset the control board.

Stop and unplug before touching the sensor wiring

The board is a costly part; replace the sensor first, as the chart does

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code C8

Listed as detergent dispenser cover is blocked.

Remove the obstruction from the dispenser cover. Close the dispenser cover and restart the dishwasher. After 30 seconds, check whether the cover has opened. If the dispenser cover won't open properly or the detergent dispenser is damaged, replace the detergent dispenser. Parts named: detergent dispenser.

• Something is blocking the detergent dispenser cover from opening: C8 appears and the cover stays shut during the wash. Look at the dispenser and remove any dish, pod wrapper or clump of detergent
• Caked detergent that has glued the cover shut: The cup has hard, damp caked detergent stuck in it. Clean the cup and the cover edge, then close the cover and restart
• A damaged detergent dispenser: The cover will not open even when nothing blocks it. Restart and check after 30 seconds whether the cover has opened

Take out anything blocking it and clean caked detergent from the cup and the edge of the cover.

After 30 seconds check whether the cover has opened on its own, as the chart says.

The dispenser is the only part the chart names for C8, so the rest of the door stays as it is.

Detergent dispenser.

A screwdriver or nut driver and a damp cloth.

How long do I wait after restarting? 30 seconds, then check whether the cover has opened.

Is it the same as Cup Open? No. Cup Open means the cover was not closed; C8 means it is blocked.

Should I use less detergent to stop the cover sticking? The chart does not link C8 to the dose. It names an obstruction on the cover, so remove anything blocking it, close the cover and restart, and replace the dispenser only if the cover still will not open.

Stop and unplug before removing any part of the door panel to reach the dispenser

Do not force a cover that is stuck; a broken cover means replacing the whole dispenser

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code Cup Open

Listed as detergent dispenser cover has not been closed.

Add detergent and close the dispenser cover.

• The detergent dispenser cover was not closed before the cycle started: Cup Open shows and the cycle will not start or warns before it does. Look at the dispenser and see whether the cover is open
• Detergent or a pod wrapper is stopping the cover from latching: The cover springs back open when you close it. Clear the cup and the cover edge and close it firmly
• A dispenser cover that no longer latches: The cover stays open even when nothing blocks it. Try closing the cover several times to see whether it catches

Use only dishwasher detergent. The chart's fix is to add detergent and close the dispenser cover.

Press until you feel it catch and stay shut, then start the cycle again and watch that the cover stays closed.

Check for anything blocking the cover, and see the C8 page if the cover is stuck or the dispenser is damaged.

Cup Open (363 electronic control model table).

None.

None.

What if the cover won't stay shut? That is the C8 dispenser cover fault; the chart replaces the detergent dispenser if it is damaged.

Will the dishwasher start with the cover open? The chart's fix is to add detergent and close the dispenser cover, which implies the cycle will not run properly with it open. Close it until it latches and start the cycle again.

Stop if the dispenser cover is broken, since detergent will spill out during the wash

The chart's next code for a stuck cover is C8, which replaces the dispenser

Kenmore 363 electronic control model dishwasher code PF

Listed as power failure.

There has been a power failure to the dishwasher. Restart the dishwasher.

• A power failure or brief outage interrupted the dishwasher during a cycle: PF appears after a storm or when the lights flickered. Note whether other appliances lost power at the same time
• A tripped breaker or GFCI protecting the dishwasher circuit: The dishwasher is dead or restarted after you reset the breaker. Check the panel for a tripped breaker and reset it once
• A loose plug or wiring connection at the dishwasher: The code returns when the dishwasher is bumped or the cabinet is disturbed. Check that the power cord or hardwire connection is secure

The chart says there has been a power failure to the dishwasher and to restart it. PF is a report, not a broken part.

Look for a tripped breaker and make sure the cord or the hardwire connection is secure.

A one-off PF that does not come back needs nothing. A PF that returns each cycle means a power supply problem to investigate.

PF (363 electronic control model table).

None.

None; the breaker panel.

Is it a failed part? No. The chart lists no part for PF.

Why does it keep coming back? A repeated PF points to a breaker, a connection or the house supply, not the dishwasher.

Do I lose the cycle? The dishwasher stops when power fails, and the chart says to restart it.

Do I need to run the whole cycle again? The chart says only to restart the dishwasher after the power failure. Start the cycle again and let it finish, and check that dishes came out clean before you assume anything else went wrong.

What if PF appears every time I run a cycle? Then the dishwasher is losing power during the cycle. Check the breaker and the plug or hardwire connection, since the chart names no part for PF, and have an electrician look if the supply keeps dropping out.

Stop if the breaker trips again as soon as it is reset, because that is a wiring or appliance fault

Do not keep resetting a breaker that will not hold