Quick answer
GE dishwasher F50 F51 error codes report a temperature sensor fault: F50 means the control reads the thermistor as open or very high, and F51 means it reads shorted or very low. The thermistor sits in the flood switch assembly in the sump. Measure it; a healthy sensor reads about 11 to 12 kilohms at room temperature. A replacement assembly costs $40 to $90 and takes about an hour.
GE dishwasher codes F50 and F51 concern the thermistor circuit on the setup covered here. In this procedure, the temperature sensor is part of the flood switch assembly, making the model’s parts arrangement important when selecting a replacement. This guide explains the sensor and connection checks that help distinguish a faulty reading from a wiring problem.
Quick Facts
| Detail | At a Glance |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time | 30 to 45 minutes to test, 60 minutes to replace the assembly |
| Tools | Multimeter, Torx T20 and Phillips screwdrivers, flashlight, towels |
| Part Cost | $40 to $90 for the flood switch and thermistor assembly, $150 to $300 for a control board |
| Skill | Intermediate |
What Do the GE Dishwasher F50 F51 Error Codes Mean?
GE dishwasher F50 F51 error codes concern the thermistor circuit on the covered setup; the thermistor is part of the flood switch assembly in this procedure.
Keep these points in mind.
- F50 is temperature sensor high
- The board reads an open or very high thermistor
- F51 is temperature sensor low
- The board reads a shorted or very low thermistor
- Which GE models show them
Codes identify a circuit or condition that needs attention; they do not prove which part must be ordered. Similar-looking codes can mean different things across model generations. The spacing and order of the letters and digits also matter.
What Causes a GE Dishwasher to Show F50 or F51?
A thermistor changes resistance as temperature changes; its reading falls as water warms in the stated chart. A wiring fault can make the board see an open or shorted circuit even if the sensor itself is sound. The temperature and the connector condition both matter.
The following details help narrow the decision.
| Condition or Detail | Meaning or Next Consideration |
| failed thermistor in the flood switch assembly | Judge the sensor signal under the correct temperature and test conditions. |
| corroded or loose harness pins | An interrupted connection can prevent a sound part from working. |
| water in the connector | An interrupted connection can prevent a sound part from working. |
| control board misreading | Consider this after the related parts and wiring have been ruled out. |
A symptom points toward a system, but several parts in that system may cause it; the useful question is which observation separates those parts. Visible damage gives stronger evidence than a guess from age alone. An electrical fault needs a reading made at the right points.
What would make this part a poor choice? A sound test result means you need to consider the other causes before ordering it.
Do F50 and F51 Point to the Drain Pump or Flood Sensor?
These signs need to be read together; a single symptom can point to more than one cause, so the condition of the related parts matters too.
Keep these points in mind.
- The thermistor lives in the flood switch assembly in the sump or in the turbidity sensor on some models
- The drain pump is not implicated
- How the parts share a housing
A symptom points toward a system, but several parts in that system may cause it; the useful question is which observation separates those parts. Visible damage gives stronger evidence than a guess from age alone. An electrical fault needs a reading made at the right points.
Should I Cut Power to the GE Dishwasher to Reset the Code?
Follow these steps to check this part of the fault.
Check the Reset and Response
- Turn the breaker off for 60 seconds.
- Restore power.
- Enter service mode to read and clear the code history.
- Run a heated cycle.
The Off button is a control setting, not a way to remove electrical power from every internal part; a resistance test belongs on a disconnected circuit. Water and nearby powered parts make careless access especially risky. A live reading is a separate task with different hazards.
How to Clear the F50 or F51 Code on a GE Dishwasher Step by Step
Follow these steps to complete the covered procedure for GE dishwasher F50 F51 error codes.
Phase 1: Confirm the Code in Diagnostic Mode
- Use the model diagnostic controls to confirm the active error.
- Read the flashing LED or digital code.
Phase 2: Cut Power and Inspect the Thermistor Harness
- Disconnect power.
- Inspect both ends of the thermistor harness.
- Check for corrosion and loose pins.
- Replace damaged wiring.
- Inspect the thermistor for cracks.
Phase 3: Measure Thermistor Resistance
- Measure the thermistor with power off.
- Compare with 11 to 12 kilohms at room temperature.
- Use the temperature chart to judge a reading at another temperature.
Phase 4: Replace the Flood Switch Assembly or Control Board and Retest
- Replace the whole flood switch assembly if its built-in thermistor fails.
- Suspect the board only when the sensor and wiring pass.
- Reconnect the harness.
- Restore power.
- Clear the error history with the model controls.
- Run a full cycle and confirm that the code stays clear.
What Resistance Should the Thermistor Show?
The thermistor should read about 11 to 12 kilohms at room temperature in the covered setup; its resistance falls as temperature rises.
| Temperature | Approximate Resistance |
| 50°F | 20 kilohms |
| 75°F | 11 kilohms |
| 100°F | 5.8 kilohms |
| 125°F | 3.4 kilohms |
| 150°F | 2.1 kilohms |
| 175°F | 1.3 kilohms |
Compare the measured sensor temperature with the matching chart value. A wiring break can also produce an open reading at the board, so the harness condition matters before you order the flood switch assembly.
Should You Replace the Assembly, the Board, or Call a Technician?
Choose the repair that matches the confirmed fault; a cheaper part will not help if it belongs to a different part of the system.
Keep these points in mind.
- Harness repair free to $15
- Flood switch assembly $40 to $90 and an hour
- Control board $150 to $300 only when the thermistor reads in range
- Call a technician when both test good
- Water is found in the control housing
- Or the unit is under warranty
A low-cost part is a good choice only when it corrects the confirmed fault; cleaning can solve a blockage, but it cannot repair a cracked housing or an open winding. A control board should come later in the diagnosis because a bad connection can create the same symptom. Parts cost is only part of the decision.
FAQ
Can the Dishwasher Run With F50 or F51 Showing?
Normal operation is uncertain without a valid temperature signal. Repair the sensor circuit rather than repeatedly clearing the code.
Why Did the Code Appear After a Leak?
Moisture may have affected the harness or sensor assembly. A leak and its electrical effects both need attention.
Does F50 Mean the Water Is Too Hot?
It is a sensor circuit fault in this diagnosis. A displayed code is not a direct measurement of the water temperature.
Clearing F50 and F51 With One Reading
You have a clearer path when the symptoms, model, and test results agree; focus on the failed part and keep the nearby wiring, mounts, and seals in view. A sound diagnosis helps the repair solve the original problem.
Check the full model number, then choose the compatible flood switch assembly so the cycle finishes hot again.
