Kenmore Elite 630.13993 Dishwasher: Drying and Heating Faults

The 630.13993 is a Kenmore Elite dishwasher, sold from January 2009 until May 2014 and no longer sold new. For machines of this age, heat and drying parts are worn by thousands of cycles, so we check them early when dishes come out wet.

Where the heat comes from

Water is warmed by a heating element in the tub base and watched by a temperature sensor. If the element fails, the cycle may complete in cold water; if the sensor misreads, the control may shorten or extend steps. The codes F7E1 and F7E2 describe an element that does not work and one that will not shut off, while F4E2 points to the heating system.

Drying path

Many dishwashers vent steam through a small opening that is released by a motor or wax actuator, and some use a fan. The meanings FAE2 for the vent wax motor and FAE3 for the drying fan exist for related Kenmore dishwashers. We do not assume your display will show one of them.

Everyday causes that mimic a fault

• Incoming water that is too cool at the start; run the kitchen tap warm first.
• Plastic items that hold water and never dry.
• Empty rinse-aid reservoir.
• Overloaded racks blocking spray.

When to call

If the tub smells scorched, the lights act strangely or the element glows unevenly, stop the cycle and cut power at the breaker. Otherwise, note the cycle you used and whether the water felt warm.

More information

See Kenmore dishwasher repair, the Kenmore dishwashers overview, and the guide to a dishwasher that does not clean. Another discontinued sibling is 630.14003.

How a visit works

We ask which cycle you ran and what you saw, then check the heating and venting parts on the machine itself. Our findings and a written estimate come before any repair, and we start work only after you agree. If the cause turns out to be loading or detergent habits instead, we say so plainly.

Small habits that help drying

Load plastics on the top rack, tip cups so they do not hold water, and keep the rinse-aid reservoir topped up. These do not replace a repair, but they stop a healthy machine from looking faulty and make our diagnosis cleaner.

Frequently asked questions