Kenmore front-load washer LE error code

The LE error code on a Kenmore front-load washer means that the washer won’t run at all or at the expected speed because the drive motor has locked up. Possible causes can range from overloading your washer and using too much detergent to an obstruction in the washer’s drive system, loose wiring connections or a failed drive motor or tachometer.

Try these troubleshooting steps with your washer to find the cause of the drive motor problem and clear the LE code.

Overloaded washer

Make sure the washer isn’t overloaded. Pull some clothes out and restart the cycle. For future loads, fill the basket loosely.

Too much detergent

If you see lots of suds in the tub, let the washer sit idle for 30 minutes so the foam dissipates. Next, start a Drain/Spin cycle to remove the sudsy water. Then run a new cycle without adding any detergent to wash and rinse the current load.

For future loads, reduce the amount of high-efficiency (HE) detergent to about 1 tablespoon per load.

Drive system obstruction

If you didn’t overload the washer and you don’t see excessive suds, check the rotation of the spin basket.

First, cancel the wash cycle and pull your clothes out of the washer. Drain any water left in the tub by running a Drain/Spin cycle with No Spin selected. If this cycle doesn’t remove the water, unplug the washer and suck out the water through the drain hose using a wet/dry shop vac.

After draining the water, unplug the washer, open the door and manually rotate the spin basket to check for binding or resistance. If the spin basket doesn’t rotate smoothly, there may be an item stuck between the spin basket and the outer tub. A damaged spin bearing also will prevent the spin basket from spinning freely. Have a service technician complete this repair because it requires taking the washer apart completely.

Loose wiring or defective drive motor

If the spin basket rotates smoothly, a problem with the drive motor or tachometer could be causing the LE error code. Loose or broken wires could prevent the drive motor from rotating,  as could broken magnets in the motor rotor. Check for loose motor wire connections and examine the motor rotor magnets using these steps:

1. Unplug the washer and remove the top and back washer panels.

2. Remove the rotor mounting bolt and pull off the motor rotor.

3. Check the magnets on the inside edge of the rotor for damage and replace the rotor if you find broken magnets.

4. Check the wire harness connections between the electronic control board and the drive motor. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if it's damaged.

5. Check the wire harness connections between the tachometer and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires or replace the wire harness if it's damaged.

If the wire connections and the rotor magnets are okay, then you'll likely need to replace the motor tachometer or drive motor. Have a service technician examine the washer and test the tachometer and motor to accurately determine which parts need replacing.