GE Appliances E42
Motor Over Current
Medium severityExpert Guide
SeverityMedium
What Your Machine Is Actually Telling You
E42 means the motor control detects the motor drawing more amperage than its rated maximum. The board shuts down the motor to prevent overheating and winding damage.
What causes overcurrent:
- The motor has to work harder than designed — something is adding friction or resistance.
- The motor itself has a partial short in its windings, drawing more current even under normal load.
E42 vs E45 vs E48:
- E42 = motor drawing too many amps (overcurrent protection).
- E45 = motor struggling to turn (overload/stall).
- E48 = motor winding open circuit (completely dead).
These are a severity spectrum: E42 (warning) → E45 (struggling) → E48 (dead).
Common causes:
1. Overloaded drum (30%) — too many heavy items.
2. Worn tub bearings (25%) — increased friction on the drum.
3. Object between tubs (10%) — coin or underwire adding drag.
4. Motor winding issue (15%) — partial short between windings.
5. Belt too tight (10%) — on belt-driven models.
6. Mode shifter/clutch (10%) — on top-loaders, stuck mechanism.
What causes overcurrent:
- The motor has to work harder than designed — something is adding friction or resistance.
- The motor itself has a partial short in its windings, drawing more current even under normal load.
E42 vs E45 vs E48:
- E42 = motor drawing too many amps (overcurrent protection).
- E45 = motor struggling to turn (overload/stall).
- E48 = motor winding open circuit (completely dead).
These are a severity spectrum: E42 (warning) → E45 (struggling) → E48 (dead).
Common causes:
1. Overloaded drum (30%) — too many heavy items.
2. Worn tub bearings (25%) — increased friction on the drum.
3. Object between tubs (10%) — coin or underwire adding drag.
4. Motor winding issue (15%) — partial short between windings.
5. Belt too tight (10%) — on belt-driven models.
6. Mode shifter/clutch (10%) — on top-loaders, stuck mechanism.
What You're Probably Seeing Right Now
- E42 during spin cycle — highest motor demand phase.
- Machine worked fine with a smaller load last time.
- You hear grinding or rumbling from the drum area.
- E42 started appearing gradually — bearings wearing.
- A burning smell from the motor area.
DIY Fix — From Easiest to Hardest
1
Reduce Load Size (30 seconds — Fixes 30%)
1. Remove 1/3 of the laundry.
2. Restart the cycle.
3. **Rule of thumb:** Fill the drum loosely — you should be able to fit your flat hand on top of the clothes.
2. Restart the cycle.
3. **Rule of thumb:** Fill the drum loosely — you should be able to fit your flat hand on top of the clothes.
2
Spin the Drum by Hand (2 minutes)
With machine OFF:
1. Open the door.
2. Spin the drum by hand.
3. **Smooth and quiet** = bearings OK.
4. **Rumbling, grinding, or stiff** = bearings worn.
5. **Metal-on-metal scraping** = bearing failure imminent.
1. Open the door.
2. Spin the drum by hand.
3. **Smooth and quiet** = bearings OK.
4. **Rumbling, grinding, or stiff** = bearings worn.
5. **Metal-on-metal scraping** = bearing failure imminent.
3
Check for Foreign Objects (5 minutes)
1. Remove all clothes.
2. Spin drum slowly by hand — listen for clicks or scrapes.
3. Check between the inner and outer tub (small items fall through).
4. Inspect door gasket folds for trapped items.
2. Spin drum slowly by hand — listen for clicks or scrapes.
3. Check between the inner and outer tub (small items fall through).
4. Inspect door gasket folds for trapped items.
4
Check Belt Tension (Top-Loader, 5 minutes)
On belt-driven models:
1. Access the belt (back panel or bottom).
2. Press the belt — should deflect 1/2 inch.
3. Too tight = increased motor load.
4. Cracked or glazed = slipping then catching.
1. Access the belt (back panel or bottom).
2. Press the belt — should deflect 1/2 inch.
3. Too tight = increased motor load.
4. Cracked or glazed = slipping then catching.
5
Test Motor Temperature (1 minute)
After E42 triggers:
1. Carefully feel the motor (bottom of machine).
2. Hot to touch = motor working too hard.
3. **Let it cool 30 minutes before restarting.**
4. If it triggers again on a small load = motor or bearing issue.
1. Carefully feel the motor (bottom of machine).
2. Hot to touch = motor working too hard.
3. **Let it cool 30 minutes before restarting.**
4. If it triggers again on a small load = motor or bearing issue.
6
Bearing Sound Test (Definitive)
1. Remove the belt (so motor doesn't spin the drum).
2. Spin the drum by hand.
3. Any noise = bearings, not motor.
4. Smooth and silent = motor issue.
**Bearing replacement** is a major repair: $150-$350 for parts.
2. Spin the drum by hand.
3. Any noise = bearings, not motor.
4. Smooth and silent = motor issue.
**Bearing replacement** is a major repair: $150-$350 for parts.
When to Call a Pro
- •Bearing replacement — $200-$450 installed (often not worth it on older machines).
- •Motor replacement — $150-$350 installed.
- •Mode shifter/clutch (top-loader) — $100-$250.
- •Burning smell — stop using immediately. Possible fire risk.
What It'll Cost You
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