LG tE
Temperature Sensor Error
Medium severityExpert Guide
SeverityMedium
What Your Machine Is Actually Telling You
tE means the NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) thermistor is reading outside its expected range. LG's board uses this to control water heating.
How the NTC works: A small probe clipped to the heating element that changes resistance with temperature. Room temperature (~25°C) = approximately 10kΩ. As water heats, resistance drops.
Common causes:
1. NTC sensor failed (35%) — open or shorted.
2. Wiring issue (20%) — connector loose.
3. Heating element issue (15%) — element leaking current.
4. Extreme water temp (10%) — very cold supply.
5. Main board (10%) — sensor input circuit.
6. Limescale on sensor (10%) — affecting readings.
How the NTC works: A small probe clipped to the heating element that changes resistance with temperature. Room temperature (~25°C) = approximately 10kΩ. As water heats, resistance drops.
Common causes:
1. NTC sensor failed (35%) — open or shorted.
2. Wiring issue (20%) — connector loose.
3. Heating element issue (15%) — element leaking current.
4. Extreme water temp (10%) — very cold supply.
5. Main board (10%) — sensor input circuit.
6. Limescale on sensor (10%) — affecting readings.
What You're Probably Seeing Right Now
- tE during heated cycles — cold wash works fine.
- Water is always cold despite hot setting.
- tE is intermittent — sometimes works.
- Machine trips the breaker on hot cycles.
DIY Fix — From Easiest to Hardest
1
Power Reset (5 minutes)
1. Unplug for 5 minutes.
2. Try cold wash first.
3. Then try hot wash.
4. If tE only on hot: sensor or heater.
2. Try cold wash first.
3. Then try hot wash.
4. If tE only on hot: sensor or heater.
2
Test NTC Sensor (5 minutes)
1. Unplug.
2. Find NTC (clipped to heating element, bottom of tub).
3. Disconnect 2-wire connector.
4. Measure: **8-12kΩ at room temp** = good.
5. OL or 0Ω = dead. Replace ($10-25).
2. Find NTC (clipped to heating element, bottom of tub).
3. Disconnect 2-wire connector.
4. Measure: **8-12kΩ at room temp** = good.
5. OL or 0Ω = dead. Replace ($10-25).
3
Check Wiring (3 minutes)
1. Trace wires from NTC to board.
2. Look for burned/melted wires.
3. Push connectors firmly.
2. Look for burned/melted wires.
3. Push connectors firmly.
4
Test Heating Element (5 minutes)
1. Disconnect element terminals.
2. Measure: **20-40Ω** = good. OL = burned out.
3. Ground test: terminal to metal sheath = must be OL.
4. Any continuity = element leaking, replace.
2. Measure: **20-40Ω** = good. OL = burned out.
3. Ground test: terminal to metal sheath = must be OL.
4. Any continuity = element leaking, replace.
5
Replace NTC + Element Combo (30 minutes)
If both are suspect:
1. Replace the element ($20-50).
2. And the NTC ($10-25) — it clips right in.
3. They share the same access point.
**Replace both together to save labor.**
1. Replace the element ($20-50).
2. And the NTC ($10-25) — it clips right in.
3. They share the same access point.
**Replace both together to save labor.**
When to Call a Pro
- •NTC + element combo — $100-$250 installed.
- •Main board sensor circuit — $150-$400.
- •Trips breaker = element MUST be replaced (safety hazard).
What It'll Cost You
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