Introduction
This is a case history of how a Samsung electric dryer that was displaying an HE error code, was successfully diagnosed and repaired. The reader is assumed to be an Appliance Technician that is familiar with safety practices when working with appliance. Appliance have voltages levels within them that can be harmful or lethal if not properly handled. This article is for informational purposes only. Any usage of information herein is done at the reader’s own risk.
Samsung “Overheating” Error Codes
The HE error code means that the dryer reached a temperature threshold that it was either not designed to reach or that is unsafe. Here are some of the alternative error codes for this condition: HE, HC, hE, HC4, 1HC.
Customer Complaint – Dryer Runs then Shuts off With HE Error
The customer complained that the dryer would only run for about 10 seconds then start beeping – displaying the HE error code. This is a very specific symptom as sometimes dryers have to run for a while in order to overheat and throw that code. In this case, although the HE error code meant that the dryer had overheated, the drum was at room temperature. Thus, the dryer only “thought” it overheated. The overheat condition is detected by a device called a thermistor. It is the sensor that monitors the air temperature exiting the drum, and is relied upon by the control board to regulate the heat cycle. Click the image to purchase.
I hypothesized that since the dryer thought it was hot, but wasn’t, that the sensor was giving the control board the wrong information. In order for the dryer to think it was say 300 degrees Fahrenheit, it would have to have a very low resistance. So I decided to check the resistance of the thermistor to confirm my suspicions. Below is a picture of the thermistor’s temperature resistance chart. Click the picture to go to the website with common appliance thermistor resistance charts and tables.
Commercial Break: How to Purchase the Meter used in this Repair
Doing such blogs takes time. Any purchases made through this page will support my efforts to continue educating the Appliance Repair industry in the matter of electrical diagnosis. Click the image below to purchase the recommended multimeter for appliance repair.
Diagnosis – Checking for a Shorted Thermistor
Suspecting that the thermistor was shorted out, I removed the top of the dryer and tested the thermistor from the appropriate connector on the control board. It read 112 ohms, where according to the temperature-resistance chart, it should have read around 10,000 ohms. This, for all practical purposes, is a shorted thermistor. Thus my hypothesis was correct – and we’ll replace that thermistor.
Explanation – Why does a Shorted Thermistor Cause an Overheating Error
Since the dryer control board relies on the thermistor for a temperature reading, a value of 112 ohms reported a temperature likely in excess of 300 degrees Fahrenheit, even though the drum was cold. Thus, the dryer wasn’t hot, but the control board thought it was. In fact, the dryer probably thought it was in excess of 300 degrees at the moment of start-up. This is why it shut down only after a few seconds and immediately reported the HE error code.
Success – Dryer Repaired
Thermistor was replaced and the dryer started with a normal cycle. It started heating normally and did not report the HE error. The customer was happy and another successful diagnosis and repair was on the books.
Repair Video
See an actual video of this repair below where the HE error code was corrected.
Remember:
“Diverting 10 min/day of social media time towards learning something new, is 5 hours of newfound monthly knowledge.”– SM
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