I keep getting an error code that flashes F then 2. I have been pausing the cycle and then pushing the start button and the load will finish with 22 minutes left in the cycle. Last night the machine would not drain and every time I would try to start it the code would come backe up. I tried th drain and spin cylce, but the machine only filled with more water and the error code came up again. Any suggestions? I have a Kenmore Elite HE3 front load washer model # .44836300. Thanks
Our HE 3T front loading washer keeps flashing an "F2" Error Code while in the middle of the washe cycle. If we push cancel then "start" button it will start up again. It will sometimes do this 2 or 3 times during the cycle.
Any advise?
Had this problem on our Kenmore machine.
This is what done.
1. Unplug the washer
2. Take of the toe panel in the front by removing the three screws.
3. Get a bunch of towels (I mean a bunch!!!)
4. The pump is in the center, and it has a plastic grip handle that one can unscrew to remove the filter. As you unscrew it, LOTS of water will come out. Be ready with the towels. A cookie sheet helps to collect the water too.
5. Clean the filter assembly.
6. If one wishes to check the inlet of the pump, remove the back panel, about 12 screws. (Note, the following works for replace the pump as well)
7. Remove the large bellow from the bottom of the tub that goets to inlet of the pump by removing the clamp
9. Lift up on the plastic cover that covers the wires that power the pump. There may be a small plastic catch that is lifted up as to allow the connector to become free.
8. Remove the Torx screw that holds that is the center just under the filter screen.
9. Pull the pump forward.
10. Unclamp the pump outlet hose.
11. Remove pump
12. Unclamp the large bellow on the pumps inlet and inspect for debris.
13. Clean pump and fitler w/o getting water on the pump.
14. Install in reverse order. Remember, it is much easire to put the inlet bellow and outlet hose on the pump before you put into the washer
Thank you so much for this. After removing the baby sock from the filter, everything is working swimmingly. Happy wife, Happy Life!!!
We had the same issue. Our HE3 stopped draining water efficiently and we got the "suds" and F02 error code. I took off the front panel and unscrewed the drain cap. As warned, water started coming out. What was amazing was the stuff I found in there. A sock, arm sleeve, 2 nails, a comb, tons of crud and hair. It was pretty disgusting but certainly explained why the washer was having such a hard time. I cleaned everthing and reassembled.
I also cleaned the flexible drain tube on the back of my washer that feeds the water into the drain pipe in my home, which goes out to the sewer (I hope). I was full of black crud that had collected along the walls of the tube. I am also thinking I should clean the tube inside the washer that goes from the pump area up to the top of the washer where it connects to that output drain I just mentioned.
Thanks for the solution it was helpful found a baby sock blocking the water to the pump. Lesson learned dont was baby socks or other small items.
Great post! I checked my drain filter and it had paper and a baby sock in it. However Mine had stopped because the impeller broke off and wasnt spinning. $130 dollars for a new pump assembley because I couldnt find just the pump. Atleast I didnt pay over 300 to have a stranger in my house and get it fixed!!.
PERFECT !!! THANKS SO MUCH!! I took the 3 screws out (with an extention) then unscrewed the white thingy and HOLY MOLY was it clogged with a bunch of ****!! Cleaned it out...put it back together in a matter of 15 minutes! Save me lotsa $$ and headaches! AGAIN..thanks so much!
works like a charm...thanks for the walk thru.
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BEWARE!! Do NOT use the new Purex "all in one" WASHER and dryer sheets in a Kenmore Elite h3 front load washer!!!. I was getting f2 and SUD error messages on my washer and have read previous posts about socks, bra straps and panties being found in the filter. I just cleaned out our filter, (very simple to do) and found 3 of the sheets clogging the filter. We have only been using the sheets for a couple of months. they work very well and save money as well as being very convenient. But they will clog the filter. The sheets have detergent, fabric softener and static control in ONE sheet. You put one in the washer and move it to the dryer with the wet clothes for drying. The problem is the sheet will sometimes "disappear" . Apparently it finds its way out with the drain water in the washer and clogs the filter. Be careful using these sheets.
Photowiz
Hi,
To my knowledge, F02 error indicates "not draining" which could be:
Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information. Good luck and kind regards. Thank you for using FixYa.
To solve the problem of the water gushing out just turn the filter a little and let it seep, take a shop vac and put near the bottom. It takes a while longer but I only had to use one towell in the end.
I just cleaned out my filter and found almost $5.00 in change with lint blocking everything.
Hi,
The problem is with the filter which is clogged.
To check the pump, remove the bottom access panel where you will find access to the pump clean-out (white screw cap).
- Unscrew the pump slowly discarding the water.
- After the water is removed, remove the filter.
- Clean the filter. Then drain the hose from the tub. Check pump impeller for any additional dust.
Put them back.
Should work now.
:)
We followed these instructions & our washer is now working & we made $3.56 in the process. The plug was VERY VERY clogged.
One more reason that the F02 error code may show is that the water pressure sensing line may be plugged with gunk. Our pump would run and run after draining the washer properly, and would not shut off or proceed to the spin without shutting down with the F02 code. Cleaned the drain (and the drain hoses) of 5 years of messy buildup, but I also needed to clean the white plastic hosing at the bottom end of the little pressure sensing hose. That is what solved my problem - working like new again. If you know the pump is pumping water effectively, try this (access through back panel - took 20 minutes tops.)
Hi,
I had F-02 error. Found solutions listed here. I followed the steps to clean filter and found a balloon stuck in the drain hose leaving the pump! Not a small balloon either and I can't see how it could possibly get thru the filter. Everything is fine now!
thanks for the posts!
CC
Thank you all for taking the time to post these steps. You have saved us all countless hundreds of dollars.
I especially love the idea of the disposable aluminum foil pan that can be molded to fit under the gusher of water. Super idea!!!
Thank you all very much!!!
This right on the money. Started the last couple of months with Machine finishing the washing cycle and water sitting in the bottom. Just started another spin cycle and it was ok. Then today it was starting beeping and flash an F 02 on the LED read out. Found this post and unplugged then I removed the kick plate 3 screws and it popped right off. At the front bottom center there is a big plastic piece that you unscrew. Get 10 towels laid out on the floor you will need them. Once the water stopped I finished screwing the filter out. It was full of all kinds of stuff. Cleaned it out, put it back in and turned the washer back in and it now works fine.
IWhen you drain time exceeds more than eight minutes, the water valves are shut off and the "F02" code flashes
1) Press the pause/cancel buttton 2 times to clear the readout.
Also: about 4 minutes later the SUD error code will be shown, then 4 minutes later the "F02" error code will be shown.
Procedure
1. Inspect the drain hose check for kinks or cloggs.
2. Disconnect power to the unit.
3. Inspect the electrical connections to the pump and determine if the pump is working correctly.
4. Inspect the drain pump filter for foreign objects. usually the problem
5. Connect power
6. If that doesnt work then unplug the washer/ kill breaker and replace the drain pump or call for service..
To keep the water from flooding the washer and floor, I took out the pump mounting screw, slide the pump out of the bracket. You can raise the pump up a couple inches and slide a pan under it. I used a foil disposable pan. If you bend the front of the pan down, you can direct it right into a bucket. No mess. :)
See solution #2 posted by Reg501
https://www.fixya.com/secure/support/t740747-f2_error_code_kenmore_elite_he3_washer
Thanks!!! I too discovered two small socks, ink pen, change, screws, nails, hair pins and black crude in my filter thanks to your post I removes the toe panel and got right to the filter cleaned and we were good to go!!!
Worked like a charm....thank you thank you thank you!!!
Followed the solution provided by 'Tom in NY' and was able to solve the F02 clogging problem in 20 minutes. Great post Thanks folks.
Followed the solution provided by 'Tom in NY' and was able to solve the F02 clogging problem in 20 minutes. Great post Thanks folks.
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Do I need to reset any electrical, such as controll panel,after I take off and replace drain pump motor on kenmore 11042926200 washer
SOURCE: F2 error code on my Kenmore Elite HE3 washer
Depending on how fritzed your drain pump is this may or may not work. I've been using HE detergent because it is supposed to cause fewer suds. However, apparently is causing more suds than needed. I need to use only a couple tablespoons? If your clothes are not dirty enough for the soap to grab onto then extra suds are the result. The repair guy said we had an excessive amount of suds in the system and this affects the sensor and causes the drain pump to run and run and run until it shuts off from overheating. This is why we get the F2 and/or suds error code. He said once a month run the machine on the hottest water cycle with a cup of bleach (no clothes). This will clear out any suds build-up and is cheaper than Afresh which works, too, (but smells cleaner than bleach). After sitting for a day our pump started working again (yay!) It also stopped making the horrible loud sound. So glad I do not have to replace the pump!! yet...(knock on wood!).
SOURCE: F2 error code on my Kenmore Elite HE3 washer
Can I just say thank you? I followed your suggestion and it was a relatively easy fix that has been driving me nuts! Maybe now I'll finally catch up on laundry!
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hello,
i am so excited that i could possibly fix my own washer b/c this is exactly the problem i am having. Â i just don't know how to get to the bottom access panel. Â it's not the drawer on the bottom, right? Â i assume it's the next one up. Â how do i open it.
thanks.
janet
Hi,
The problem is with the filter which is clogged.
To check the pump, remove the bottom access panel where you will find access to the pump clean-out (white screw cap).
- Unscrew the pump slowly discarding the water.Â
- After the water is removed, remove the  filter.
- Clean the filter. Then drain the hose from the tub. Check pump impeller for any additional dust.Â
Put them back.Â
Should work now.Â
:)Â
Had the same problem - Sears is here right now - $312 to replace the pump!!!!!
Same problem, F2 error, won't drain, and therefore will not spin. Openned the front panel and removed the drail plug from the pump, and found a sock in it. Cleaned it and repaced it,and it worked, but next load, stopped again, will try the same solution once more to see if there is more in there.
same problem
I had the same F2 Error code. I followed these instructions and was shocked to find all the crud in my filter.
Just take off the toe plate (three screws),
Find the pump filter in the middle of the base (mine was white and it stood out like a sore thumb).
**WARNING** This will get messy -- There really was a gush of water, for me it was only about 1/2 gallon, so be ready to catch or clean up some water when you do this next step.***
Unscrew the handle, remove the filter (really it is connected to the handle and all it is is a plastic piece with holes in it) and
Clean it off.
Then put it all back together (took me 10 minutes).
Now I feel like I can take on my poorly drying dryer.
Hi, I've just finished cleaning out the "filter" which was suggested and found two baby socks and a bunch of just gunks, cleaned it out and screw back in. Filter did not look like what I would imagine. Running my first light load of just kitchen towels right now after the cleaning. I think in the future, I would put small items like baby socks, booties, anything smaller than a regular washcloth in a mesh laundry wash bags to prevent small items down the filter/drain. Thank you again for the advice.
Just finished the kitchen towels load without a problem....woohoo....
Thank you for this information. My HE3 washer kept stopping and only gave an error code of F. My machine is 8 years old and I have replaced everything in it except for the electronics. The same for my HE3 dryer. I think Sears products are junk. I also have a refridgerator from them that has broken down 5 times in 8 years. This site has saved me from another expense. My filter was clogged with a sock and cat hair. I will probably clean the filter out every couple of months. Thanks again for this information! Rebecca 4/20/12
Thank you for this information. My HE3 washer was only giving the error code of F. It just kept stopping and would not drain. I have already replaced every part in my 8 year old washer and dryer except for the electronics. When it stopped working again I was frustrated. After reading this post and found out about the filter may be clogged and yes indeed that was the problem. Thank you for saving me time and money for this simple fix. I wonder if that was all that was wrong when they replaced the pump 2 years ago. Sears changes parts. When they did my repairs they even replaced the stainless steel tub that was not broken. I've never owned a washing machine that has broken down as many times as this machine. Thanks again for this information!
Thank you! Worked like a charm. Be prepared for LOTS of water, so have lots of towels ready. A paint pan is the best, as it's angled well to put under the drain.
this fix was exactly right and we were able to fix our washer in a few minutes
Everytime I try to do a load of laundry, I end up gettig the F20 code flashing sometime during the cycle. And have to unplug the machine to shu it off.
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