Ensuring your dryer works properly is important for avoiding damaged clothes or wasted time and energy. A frustrating tE error code may appear, but can be fixed through some basic troubleshooting of a small but crucial component – the outlet thermistor. This little thermometer allows the dryer to monitor the air temperatures leaving the drum. Let’s explore what causes the tE code and how to pinpoint problems with the outlet thermistor or its wiring.
What is the Outlet Thermistor and Why is it Important?
The outlet thermistor is a small component inside your GE dryer that measures the temperature of the air coming out of the dryer drum. You can think of it as a little thermometer that gives temperature feedback to the main control board.
Understanding what the outlet thermistor does helps explain why the tE error code happens. So let’s walk through it step-by-step.
What Does the Outlet Thermistor Do?
The outlet thermistor has three main jobs:
- It measures the heat of the air leaving the dryer drum
- It sends that temperature data back to the control board
- The control board uses that data to turn the heating on and off
This allows your dryer to keep the inside air at just the right heat. The target temperature changes based on what drying cycle you picked.
Why is Getting the Temperature Right Important?
Getting the air temperature wrong can lead to big problems:
- Air too hot can damage clothes or start a fire
- Air too cold won’t dry well and wastes energy
So the outlet thermistor gives your dryer the feedback needed to keep temperatures in a safe zone.
Example Outlet Thermistor Resistance Range
When working properly, the outlet thermistor shows a resistance between 5,000 ohms at hot temperatures and 30,000 ohms at cold temperatures.
Knowing the normal resistance range will come in handy later for troubleshooting!
What Causes the tE Error Code on a GE Dryer?
Seeing tE pop up on your GE dryer display can be frustrating. But don’t worry – understanding what causes that error code makes fixing it much easier.
The tE error tells us there’s likely a problem with the outlet thermistor circuit we talked about earlier. Let’s explore some common issues that can lead to the tE code.
The Main Cause of tE Errors
The main trigger for tE errors is that the control board can no longer accurately read outlet air temperatures. This stops your dryer from properly regulating the gas burner or heating element.
Without good thermistor data, your dryer doesn’t know if the air is too hot, too cold, or just right during drying cycles. The tE code is the control board’s way of saying “I can’t get reliable temperature info from the outlet thermistor!”
What Typically Goes Wrong with the Outlet Thermistor?
There are a few common problems that interfere with the outlet thermistor circuit:
- Open thermistor – The sensing wire inside breaks open
- Shorted thermistor – Wires touching creating false readings
- Disconnected wiring – Loose harness plugs or wires
- Damaged harness wires – Rubbing/pinching causing internal breaks
Spotting the outlet thermistor issue takes some testing and troubleshooting. But once we find the problem, it’s usually an easy and inexpensive fix.
Staying Safe While Troubleshooting Dryer Issues
Fixing appliances yourself can save money and give you a sense of accomplishment. But safety should always come first when trying DIY repairs.
Let’s go over some important safety reminders before we dive into diagnosing and clearing tE error codes.
Power Off and Unplug the Dryer
This first step sounds obvious but is worth repeating. Always disconnect the power source before conducting any internal maintenance on your dryer. You don’t want to risk electric shock or accidental startup.
Let it Cool Down
Working on a hot dryer is dangerous. Make sure your dryer has had ample time to cool down before opening it up or touching anywhere parts get hot.
For Gas Dryers – Shut Off the Gas Supply
Gas models have additional hazards like a gas shutoff valve. Make sure to rotate the gas shutoff valve clockwise to the closed position. You’ll be dealing with wires and other parts inside anyway, so best to shut off that gas feed for complete safety.
Work in a Clear, Well-Lit Area
You’ll need good visibility and clear access to diagnose and work on your dryer. Don’t try tackling dryer repair projects in a messy, cramped area or while it’s dark out.
Protect Your Hands and Use Non-Conductive Tools
Make sure to wear insulated work gloves if touching wires or hot parts. And use ceramic or plastic tools instead of metal ones when dealing with circuits and connectors.
Take Photos and Notes Before Disconnecting Anything!
It can be challenging to remember exactly how and where each wire and part should reconnect. So snap some pics or write down details on connections before unplugging or removing things. It makes reassembly much smoother.
Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshooting the tE Error
Diagnosing and clearing tE errors can sound complicated, but I’ll walk you through the process in easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1: Enter Diagnostic Mode and Confirm tE Error
First, we need to access the internal error code list on your GE dryer’s control panel:
- Locate the buttons on control panel. The trio of buttons required are different depending on your specific model. Check the inside of your dryer door or manual for the exact keys. Common options are Signal+Dry+Start, Temp+Time Dry+Start, or Power+Dry+Start.
- Press and hold the trio of buttons for a few seconds until you see a F or SF flash on the time display. This means you entered factory test mode.
- Use the up/down keys to cycle through various test codes until you get to t02. This is the stored error code list. tE may flash immediately if present.
- Check if tE appears. If the tE error is the issue, you will see it on this t02 list. If not, keep browsing test modes for other clues.
Entering diagnostic mode only takes a minute. It’s an easy way to confirm if the outlet thermistor circuit is failing before moving on.
Step 2: Test Outlet Thermistor Resistance
Once you confirm the tE code, we can test the thermistor itself:
- Switch off power and gas. Unplug the dryer and shut off gas supply valve for full safety.
- Open the control panel. Carefully remove the back panel to expose control board.
- Locate wiring harness. Identify the outlet thermistor 2-wire harness plugged into the board.
- Disconnect wiring harness. Make sure to grasp the plastic connector firmly when unplugging.
- Measure resistance with multimeter. Connect multimeter lead probes to the thermistor’s two wires. The readings should fall between 5,000 ohms at hot temperatures down to 30,000 ohms when cold.
- Compare readings. If resistance is way above 100,000 ohms, the thermistor is likely broken open. If near 0 ohms, it is probably shorted closed. Either fault would cause tE errors.
Testing at the component level isolates if the root issue is the thermistor itself or wiring problem.
Step 3: Inspect Thermistor Wiring
If resistance testing checked out fine, closely inspect the wiring:
- Visually inspect wiring. Look for external damage like cuts, crimps, burns.
- Check continuity. Use multimeter probes to test each wire has continuity end-to-end. Breaks in the copper wire conduct electricity.
- Verify connections. Remove and reconnect each connector making sure no debris or damage preventing solid contacts. A bad connection explains intermittent tE errors.
Thorough wiring inspection discovers any external damage or loose joints throwing off thermistor readings and causing tE codes.
How to Replace a Faulty Outlet Thermistor
If testing shows the outlet thermistor itself has failed, replacing it is the fix for persistent tE errors. Replacing the thermistor component is fairly straightforward:
Step 1: Turn Off Power and Gas
As always, unplug the dryer and shut off gas supply for safety before internal work.
Step 2: Open Back Panel
Carefully open the rear panel to access internal components.
Step 3: Locate Blower Housing
The outlet thermistor sits inside the blower housing ducting outgoing hot air. You’ll need to detach the blower housing from the frame to replace it.
Step 4: Disconnect Outlet Thermistor
Locate the outlet thermistor wire harness and connector and detach it from the assembly. Make sure to grasp the plastic plug firmly when unplugging to avoid damaging wires.
Step 5: Remove and Replace Thermistor
Unscrew or loosen clips to fully remove the thermistor and mount the new replacement outlet thermistor with fresh fasteners or ties.
Step 6: Connect New Thermistor
Plug in wire harness connector to outlet thermistor assembly making sure the connection clicks into place firmly.
Step 7: Reassemble Dryer
Securely reattach blower housing and all other removed components. Double check your work.
Be gentle and take your time during disassembly and installation to avoid damaging small components or wires.
Clearing the tE Error Code for Good
Once you have replaced the faulty outlet thermistor or repaired wiring issues, the last step is to clear out the remaining tE error so it stops annoyingly popping up.
It’s a quick process:
Step 1: Re-Enter Diagnostic Mode
Use the three control buttons unique to your model again to enter factory diagnostic mode. You’ll likely see t02 stored error codes upon entry.
Step 2: Navigate to t02 Error Code List
Page back to the t02 menu showing current errors stored in memory if not already visible.
Step 3: Press and Hold Start Button
While observing the error list, press and hold the Start button on control panel for 5+ seconds.
Step 4: Error Cleared!
If successful, you will see the t02 error list go blank as the control board memory resets. This should remove the tE code from showing up going forward.
How to Prevent Outlet Thermistor Issues from Reoccurring
Taking a few simple maintenance steps can stop outlet thermistor problems from coming back and causing more tE headaches down the road:
Clean the Lint Screen Before Each Load
Lint buildup restricts airflow and overheats control components like thermistors. Wipe the lint screen off thoroughly before starting every drying cycle.
Regularly Inspect Inside Cabinet and Wiring
Open up the back once yearly to check for excessive lint around components, rub marks on wires, or loose wiring harnesses. Catch wear early and prevent electrical shorts.
Conduct Annual Thermistor Resistance Checks
Use a multimeter once a year to measure outlet thermistor resistance. Compare to factory specs to spot degradation before failure.
Avoid Overloading the Drum
Jam packing damp clothes reduces airflow which spikes temperatures beyond target levels. Only dry full recommended load sizes listed in your model user manual.
Conclusion
We have covered a lot of information about resolving the tE error code on GE dryers and the importance of the outlet thermistor. To conclude and summarize:
- The outlet thermistor plays a critical role in air temperature regulation within the dryer. It feeds back data to the main control board.
- A tE error code indicates a likely problem with the outlet thermistor or its wiring. This prevents proper heating function during cycles.
- Troubleshooting involves testing the thermistor itself, inspecting wiring, and ultimately replacing the part if needed.
- Resetting the error code after repair is done through the diagnostic mode menu.
So in plain words, if your GE dryer suddenly won’t heat up and displays tE, don’t panic. Check the outlet thermistor and wires first. Make any repairs needed. Then reset your dryer and it should be happily drying loads again!
Key things to remember:
- The outlet thermistor measures outgoing air temperature
- A bad thermistor causes the tE error code
- Check wires and test the thermistor resistance
- Replace it if faulty or badly damaged
- Reset the error code when fixed
Following the steps outlined above will help resolve a tE error code. We wanted this article to be helpful for all readers – even those less familiar with appliance parts and repair basics.