Whirlpool ADP 5540 - 8 flashes

Can anyone tell me the explanation for 8 flashes on my dishwasher? It is an intermittent problem where it doesn't complete its cycle.

Whirlpool Dishwasher Error codes.

F0. 10 flashes. Sensor Break (Only shown in test programme. Not visible to customer).

F1. Single flash. NTC Break. NTC open circuit/short circuit or ambient temperature less than 3 Celcius

F2. 2 Flashes. Water leakage. Floater switch LS6 in drip tray has switched.

F3. 3 Flashes. Heating system defect. Heater or relay on control board defect. Chack also cabling.

F4. 4 Flashes. Draining failure. Drain pump, control board OWI or water indicator defect.

F5. 5 Flashes. Sprayarm Blocked (not present on VBL version. On 1 digit display will show as F and flashing start led).

F6. 6 Flashes. Water valve (WV1) is switched on but flow meter (FM) senses no impulses (less than 10 impulses in 10 secs) and the water indicator (WI) is at a low level
Water Valve Closed. Water inlet hose blocked.
Water inlet valve (WV1) defective. Flow meter (FM) defective (leads to FM failure)

F7. 7 Flashes. Flow meter failure. Flow meter defect. Water inlet valve defect or water inlet hose blocked.

F8. 8 Flashes. Water level failure. Sieve strongly dirty or big amount of foam inside to less water.

F9. 9 Flashes. Continuously Water Inlet. Water inlet valve mechanically not closed or control board defect.

FA. 11 Flashes. OWI failure. Dirty OWI lens. OWI defect or control board defect. Check cabling.

FB. 12 Flashes. Motorised Diverter Valve

FC. 13 Flashes. Water Hardness Sensor Failure

A fault with no fault code indication = faulty module

These codes should cover the entire range of Whirlpool dishwashers.

Test Mode


Make sure the appliance is empty of water before running Diagnostics as it does not pump out before starting to fill and therefore you could overfill the appliance.
Open the door and set the program to the first program. (Normally rinse).
Turn the power off.
Press and hold the start button and while holding turn the power on.
After a little while the start button will flash, release the button.
Press the start button once and close the dishwasher door.
The machine will now run through a diagnostic routine.
If memory serves me right it takes about 20 mins.
The machine will stop during diagnostics if an error is found and will display the error code. If no error is found it will complete the diagnostics and end the programme.

To exit diagnostics at any time just press and hold the start button till the programme is cancelled

Thanks for that - so if it is "Sieve strongly dirty or big amount of foam inside to less water", and an intermittent fault, that's a bit strange. Is there a sensor to do with the "foam Vs water" level that could be playing up?

Too much foam don't use rinse aid and 3 in1 tablets run a cleaner though it

Thanks - I regularly run a cleaner through it. Did you mean "Don't use rinse aid and 3 in 1" together or either one at any time?

yes ,dont use both it causes overfoaming ,3 in 1 has it all in.

rocks1 said:

yes ,dont use both it causes overfoaming ,3 in 1 has it all in.

Click to expand...

We have used the 3-in-1 on its own for ages but the intermittent fault remains. Is there a sensor that could be faulty?

Hi my 13 year adp5540 whirpool dishwasher recently gave error code 7 - flow meter problem. We took out machine removed flow meter cleaned it replaced in machine and it worked. Machine tested for two cycles and it ran perfectly. Returned machine to original position. Loaded with dishes after dinner and not working has same error code. Frustrating. Any ideas why this may have occured?

Sump can get thick greasy deposits over the sensor which is detected as water which cannot pump out, I cleaned mine with boiling soapy water and solved problem.

thanks will give cleaning the sump a try