Kenmore 110 VMW Top-Load Washer Code F9 E1: Long drain time
On Kenmore top-load washers whose model numbers start with 110 and belong to the VMW line, F9 E1 means the drain took too long. The control ran the drain pump for ten minutes and the water…
- Code
- F9 E1
- Appliance
- Washer
- Brand
- Kenmore
- Warranty
- 30-day workmanship
What F9 E1 means
On Kenmore top-load washers whose model numbers start with 110 and belong to the VMW line, F9 E1 means the drain took too long. The control ran the drain pump for ten minutes and the water level never went down. The washer stops the drain step, shows F9 E1 and leaves the load sitting in water. The code points to the drain path or the pump circuit, so a restricted drain or a kinked hose is worth ruling out before anyone blames the pump.
Common causes of F9 E1
- Clog or restriction in the house drain or the drain hose
- Kinked or pinched drain hose behind the washer
- Drain pump that is blocked or will not run
- Pump circuit that is not delivering power to the pump
1. Look at the drain hose behind the washer for kinks or a pinch against the wall. 2. Check whether the house drain or standpipe is backed up with water or lint. 3. Run a short drain and spin cycle to see whether F9 E1 returns. 4. If it returns, unplug the washer and leave the pump check to us, since it means getting into the cabinet.
- Whether the water leaves slowly because of the house drain or because of the pump
- Whether the pump runs and moves water when the control calls for it
- Whether the pump circuit or its wiring is the reason the drain stalls
Other Washer codes
Is F9 E1 the same as the Ld code on other Kenmore washers?
Both mean a long drain, but the characters differ by platform. F9 E1 is the code on the 110-prefix VMW top-load line, so we read it for that platform and not for another line.
Can I wring out the load while the water is still in the tub?
You can remove wet clothes by hand once the washer is unplugged. Do not try to bail the tub into a floor that is not protected, since a full tub is heavy and spills easily.
Does F9 E1 always mean a bad drain pump?
No. The control only knows the water did not drop in ten minutes. A plugged drain line gives the same result, so we test the drain path first and quote in writing before any part is ordered.
Still seeing F9 E1?
A technician diagnoses it on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.