On the covered Kenmore hybrid dryer, tE1 or tE2 means Kenmore's service table lists this code as: outlet thermistor failure. The outlet thermistor is the sensor that reads the temperature of the air leaving the drum, so check its wiring and connector before replacing anything.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore hybrid dryer code tE1 or tE2”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The exhaust thermistor has failed
What separates it The display shows tE1 or tE2
How to confirm Unplug the dryer and check the thermistor wiring
- 2
A thermistor that reads out of range
What separates it It does not read about 10,000 ohms
How to confirm Replace it
- 3
Damaged wiring
What separates it The harness is chafed
How to confirm Replace the harness
- 4
Lint around the sensor
What separates it The vent is clogged
How to confirm Clean the vent
- 5
A control board fault
What separates it The thermistor tests well
How to confirm Replace the board
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the display reads tE1 or tE2, since both name the same exhaust sensor
- Whether the dryer heats and how long a load takes to dry
- Whether the exhaust path of the hybrid dryer is clean
- The model number from the label inside the door opening
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCorrect only the documented fault domain
ReversibleUnplug the dryer and check the outlet thermistor wiring. Check the resistance of the outlet thermistor. It should measure about 10,000 ohms at room temperature. If the thermistor is defective, replace it. Replace the main control board if the outlet thermistor and wiring are okay. Parts named: outlet thermistor, Wire harness, Main control board.
Unplug the dryer
ReversiblePull the plug from the outlet before you open anything, since the control and the heater circuits carry mains voltage.
Check the thermistor wiring
ReversibleLook at the wire harness that runs to the exhaust thermistor for chafing, pinching or a plug that has worked loose, and replace the harness if it is damaged.
Measure the thermistor
ReversibleWith a multimeter set to ohms, measure through the thermistor at room temperature. A good one reads about 10,000 ohms, and a reading far from that means it has failed.
Replace it if it is defective
ReversibleFit a new thermistor of the right part number for your model, and secure it in the same place so that it reads the exhaust air properly.
Clean the vent and the lint trap
ReversibleA clogged vent makes the exhaust run hot and can set off thermistor codes, so clear the lint screen, the housing and the duct to the outside.
Run a short timed dry
ReversiblePlug the dryer in and run a short cycle. If tE1 or tE2 does not return, the repair is complete.
Warm the thermistor in your hand
ReversibleWith the thermistor disconnected and the meter attached, hold it in your hand for half a minute. A steady fall in resistance shows that it works, and a frozen reading shows that it has failed.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Parts involved
- The thermistor, its wiring and the control.
- Source
- Sears PartsDirect's table for Kenmore hybrid dryers.
- What the thermistor does
- The exhaust thermistor tells the control how hot the air leaving the drum is, and the control uses it to decide when the clothes are dry and to protect the dryer from overheating. A sensor that fails open or short leaves the control blind, so it stops the cycle with a code.
- Heat-pump and hybrid dryers
- A hybrid dryer uses a heat pump or a condenser instead of a plain vent, so its sensors and its air path differ from a standard dryer. Always use the part numbers for your exact model, because a thermistor from another dryer can have a different resistance.
- What makes a dryer hybrid
- A hybrid dryer combines a heat pump with a heater, so it uses less energy and a lower temperature than a plain electric dryer. Because the air runs cooler, the exhaust thermistor sits in a different place and has a different range, which is why a part from a standard dryer is not a substitute.
- Reading the resistance
- A thermistor changes its resistance with temperature, so test it at room temperature, when it should read about 10,000 ohms. A reading of zero or infinite resistance means a short or an open circuit, and a reading that drifts as you warm it with your fingers shows that it is alive.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the thermistor reads about 10,000 ohms at room temperature and the code stays, the control board is the next suspect
- !Replace the thermistor with the exact part for a hybrid dryer, since the resistance curve differs between models
- !Do not run the dryer with a blocked air path
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does tE1 or tE2 mean on a Kenmore hybrid dryer?+
Kenmore's service table lists this code as: outlet thermistor failure.
What resistance should the thermistor read?+
About 10,000 ohms at room temperature, and it is replaced if it reads far from that.
Can I replace the thermistor myself?+
Yes, with the dryer unplugged, since it is a plug-in sensor on most models.
Does a blocked vent cause it?+
A blocked vent can cause overheating and related faults, so clean the vent as part of the repair.
Are tE1 and tE2 the same fault?+
Yes, the table lists them together as an exhaust thermistor failure.
Can I test a thermistor with warm hands?+
Yes, if you hold the sensor and watch the meter, the resistance should change slowly as it warms.
Do tE1 and tE2 point to different sensors?+
The table lists them together as one exhaust thermistor failure, so test the one sensor.