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Dishwasher Diverter valve and motor: What It Does and Signs It's Failing

A valve in the sump, driven by a small motor, that decides which spray arms get water at any moment. LG's version is the Vario motor, and Bosch has its own wash arm diverter code. With water going to one arm at a time, each arm gets more of the pump's output.

How it works

The motor turns a disc or cam in the sump outlet, opening one path and closing another. A position switch or cam sensor tells the control where the valve is.

Signs it is failing

• One rack comes out clean and the other dirty
• A clicking or knocking noise from the bottom of the tub
• A diverter or spray-control error code
• Water leaking from under the sump area

Diverter, Vario and some leak codes point here. LG says dishes touching the impeller can set off its Vario code, so check how the load sits first.

Can you replace it yourself?

Rearrange the load so nothing pokes through the lower rack, then cycle power at the breaker. The diverter motor and seal are under the tub and tied into the sump, so this repair goes to a tech.

Buying the right part

Diverter parts are unique to each design. A tech will match them to your full model number.

Error codes linked to the diverter valve and motor

• E01-E05Control board or electronics faultBosch
• FAE4 / F10E4Diverter valve errorKitchenAid
• FAE5 / F10E5Diverter leakKitchenAid
• nESpray arm control (vario) problemLG
• PC / PEZone Wash or Half Load errorSamsung
• FAE4 / F10E4Diverter valve errorWhirlpool
• FAE5 / F10E5Diverter leakWhirlpool

Last reviewed 2026-10-19.