Error E16 on a Bosch dishwasher

In the instructions for the Bosch dishwasher, error E16 is interpreted as a malfunction of the inlet valve. However, during diagnostics, experts recommend checking all the elements through which water enters the PMM, starting from the water pipe and ending with the recirculation pump. Let's figure out how to find the cause of the problem.

PMM diagnostic plan

If you notice error E16 on the dishwasher display, do not rush to call a technician. The “home assistant” does not always need to be repaired; sometimes it’s not even a breakdown. The test is carried out from simple to more complex, eliminating one possible malfunction after another.

What to do first? Make sure the water supply to the house has not been turned off. To do this, open the tap in the bathroom or kitchen. If the water is flowing, evaluate the power of the pressure. Next, look to see if the shut-off valve on the pipe is closed - this may be why the dishwasher is not filling.

Next, inspect the inlet hose. It may be bent or squashed. Make sure that the leakage protection system has not activated (in this case, the indicator on the hose block will change color).

The problem may also be a violation of the tightness of the system. Therefore, make sure that your Bosch dishwasher door closes tightly. Perhaps large dishes are in the way, and the lock does not work. In this case, it will be enough to unload the PMM a little.

If none of the guesses are confirmed, then you will have to look for a breakdown inside the machine. Error E16 can be caused by:

• faulty inlet solenoid valve (in this case, the sensor membrane remains closed and water cannot enter the PMM);
• broken door lock (the lock does not work, the system remains leaky, the module does not give the command to draw water);
• a failed pressure switch (the level sensor transmits information about the fullness of the washing chamber, and if it breaks, it can “lie”, reporting that there is enough water inside, while the machine is empty);
• damaged control module (the electronic unit controls the operation of all components of the dishwasher, and its failure can provoke any error code).

You can deal with most problems yourself. Let's figure out how to fix this or that malfunction in order to reset the E16 error that slows down the dishwasher.

Water supply hose is kinked

A fairly common problem is a kinked inlet hose. Usually the corrugation is pinched accidentally when moving equipment. For example, if the sleeve gets under the foot of the dishwasher, then water will definitely not pass through it.

Alternatively, the hose may be crushed by other household appliances or furniture. In any case, you need to remove the obstacle as soon as possible.

In this situation, the inlet hose may even burst, flooding the floor around with water. That is why it is so important to monitor the condition of the sleeve. First of all, in case of error E16, it is the corrugation that is checked.

“They turned their heads” on the tee valve

Typically, a tee tap is provided on the pipe before entering the washing machine or dishwasher. It helps, if necessary, to shut off the water supply to the PMM, without interfering with the water supply to the kitchen sink. Sometimes this valve fails.

Sometimes the cause of error E16 is trivial - a closed tee valve, so make sure that the valve is open.

There are flimsy taps that can be easily damaged during operation.In the future, the handle of such a valve will turn while the damper remains closed. Consequently, water will not begin to fill into the machine.

In such a situation, it will seem that the problem is definitely not in the tap, because the handle turns. However, craftsmen very often encounter a similar problem. Therefore, you should not exclude the possibility of a breakage of the shut-off valve.

The problem is hidden between the valve and the hose

Another reason why a Bosch dishwasher cannot fill is a clogged mesh filter. The element is installed at the entrance to the dishwasher, in front of the inlet valve. Its task is to retain impurities contained in tap water, preventing them from entering the PMM.

If you do not clean the filter, then over time the mesh holes will become clogged and water will not flow into the machine. As a result, the dishwasher will issue an error code. To fix the problem, you need to clean the element. This is done like this:

• de-energize the PMM;
• shut off the water supply to the machine using the shut-off valve;
• unscrew the inlet hose from the body;
• find the mesh filter - it is located at the junction of the hose and the machine;
• Remove the filter and wash it in warm water.

If the contamination is not severe, it will be enough to clean the mesh with a needle and then place it under the tap running. If the deposit on the filter has hardened, soak the part in a citric acid solution for several hours, then rinse the element in warm water.

Does the door sensor work?

Water will not begin to fill into the dishwasher if the door is not tightly closed. The “brain” of the dishwasher, having not received a signal that the system is sealed, will not give the command to fill. So check:

• the integrity of the door sealing rubber (are there any cracks on it, is the gasket coming off the body);
• whether the dishes create obstacles for the blocker to operate;
• whether the latch of the locking mechanism is damaged (after starting the cycle there should be a click, which will indicate that the lock has been activated);
• whether the machine is level (this can be checked using a building level).

It happens that it is large dishes that prevent the door from closing. In this case, resetting the error is very simple - just rearrange the cutlery or unload the machine a little. If the dishwasher is not level, correct this by tightening the legs.

If the problem is a damaged seal, you will have to change the rubber band. You can try to fix a broken lock, but it’s easier to install a new lock. The cost of the locking mechanism is low.

The algorithm for replacing the lock will be as follows:

• open the PMM door;
• remove the screws located on the inside of the door and at the ends;
• remove the top part of the door;
• take a photo of the wiring diagram for the lock;
• disconnect the wires from the locking mechanism;
• Having dealt with the fastenings, remove the blocker;
• install a new lock, secure it, connect the previously reset wiring;
• return part of the door to its place, secure the panel with self-tapping screws.

After this, run a short test cycle and make sure the lock works. If the problem was a leak in the system, the error will disappear.

The valve has stopped functioning

The inlet valve is the element responsible for filling the Bosch dishwasher. The electronic module opens the sensor membrane and water begins to flow into the chamber. If the solenoid valve breaks down, the operation of the dishwasher stops.

First you need to inspect the element for damage. Next, the intake valve is checked with a multimeter. The tester measures the resistance produced by the part. If it is missing, the sensor cannot be repaired; you will have to replace it with a new one. The algorithm will be like this:

• disconnect the wiring from the solenoid valve;
• unscrew the bolts securing the part;
• remove the sensor;
• put the new valve in its original place, secure it with self-tapping screws;
• connect the wiring.

To repair Bosch PMM, buy only original spare parts so that replacing parts does not in any way affect the performance of the dishwasher.

Connect the inlet hose to the body, open the shut-off valve, and plug the machine into the mains. After this, run a test wash. Replacing the inlet valve should help clear the fault code and bring the dishwasher back to life.

Inspect the water level sensor

If the pressure switch breaks, water may also not flow into the dishwasher. And in such a situation, the machine will display error E16. A faulty level sensor may tell the control module that the wash chamber is full when it is empty. Accordingly, the “brain” will not give the command to take in fluid.

To get to the pressure switch, you will have to partially disassemble the dishwasher. A level sensor is attached to the recirculation pump housing. The part is a small round box to which a tube is connected.

To check the operation of the pressure switch, you can blow into the pressure tube. If you hear characteristic clicks, then the unit is working properly. The absence of sounds indicates a breakdown. The water level sensor cannot be repaired; it will need to be replaced.

You can change the pressure switch yourself. The main thing is to buy components that are exactly suitable for your Bosch PMM.The level sensor is installed in place of the old one, after which the machine body is assembled and the test cycle is started.

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