On the covered Whirlpool top-load washer, F0 E4 means the water temperature was too high near the end of the cycle, which limits spin speed First, check that the hot and cold hoses are on the correct inlets. Then: swap reversed hoses; if they are right, the hot side of the water valve may be sticking open.
Differential
Likely causes of “Whirlpool top-load washer code F0 E4”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Hot and cold hoses reversed, so hot water reaches the rinse
What separates it The code appears late in a cycle and a cold rinse still runs hot
How to confirm Trace the hoses from the taps; the hot hose belongs on the hot inlet
- 2
A hot-water valve that sticks open
What separates it The rinse runs hot even when the cycle asks for a cold rinse and the hoses are right
How to confirm Run the diagnostic test mode and check the valve functions; the Sears table says a hot valve that sticks open needs the assembly replaced
- 3
A failing inlet temperature sensor
What separates it The temperature reading is off and the water valve wiring looks sound
How to confirm Measure the inlet thermistor with the washer unplugged; the Cabrio table gives about 50,000 ohms at room temperature
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The code and the cycle step at which it appeared
- Whether the rinse setting was cold
- Which color hose is on which inlet
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleCheck that the hot and cold hoses are on the correct inlets.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleSwap reversed hoses; if they are right, the hot side of the water valve may be sticking open. Whirlpool documents one check for this code — cycle power to the control to reset the washer — so confirm that before treating anything else as the cause.
Check the hoses at the taps and at the washer
ReversibleWhirlpool says F0 E4 means the washer senses water that is too hot, and asks that the hoses be checked for reversal. Correct any that are swapped.
Understand what the code limits
ReversibleThe 2015 Cabrio table says the code appears when the water temperature is too high during the final spin, and that spin speed is limited to 500 rpm while it is showing. A slow spin with F0 E4 is therefore expected, not a motor fault.
Test the water valve in the diagnostic mode
ReversibleThe table says to check the water valve functions using the diagnostic test mode and to replace the water valve assembly if the hot water valve sticks open. Use the tech sheet stored in the console for the model's entry procedure.
Check the thermistor if the valve is fine
ReversibleThe Cabrio/belt-drive table describes the F0 E4 fault as high water temperature in the rinse and says to make sure the fill hoses are connected properly and to check the thermistor, which should measure about 50,000 ohms at 77 degrees, replacing it if defective.
Verify once, then respect the service boundary
ReversibleWhirlpool specifies a 5 minutes power interruption for this code, not an arbitrary one.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Displayed as
- F0 E4.
- Meter reading
- About 50,000 ohms at 77 degrees Fahrenheit across the thermistor (Cabrio/belt-drive table).
- Parts named by the service tables
- Water valve assembly; thermistor.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the washer before you measure anything at the console, since the board and valve carry line voltage
- !Do not run the washer again on hot if the tub water feels much hotter than a normal hot setting
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 500 rpm limit is the 2015 Cabrio table's own figure.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F0 E4 mean on a Whirlpool top-load washer?+
the water temperature was too high near the end of the cycle, which limits spin speed
Why is my spin so slow?+
The 2015 Cabrio table says spin speed is limited to 500 rpm while this code is showing.
Can reversed hoses cause it?+
Yes. Whirlpool's F0 E4 page asks you to verify the hoses are installed correctly and not switched.
Do Maytag and Amana washers behave the same way?+
Yes, on the same top-load platform.