Error 9–1 (also shown as F9E1) means the control board can’t confirm the diverter disc position. The diverter motor turns a cam/disc that routes wash pressure to the lower, upper, or alternate spray zone; when the control loses the position signal, it halts the sequence and posts this code.
How the Diverter System Works
During a cycle, the control commands the diverter motor to rotate in precise increments. As the disc turns, a position sensor or feedback track reports where the disc currently sits. With an accurate signal, the control knows which spray arm receives water and can time detergent, heating, and soil-sensing events correctly. If feedback drops out—because of wiring, a weak motor, or contamination on the feedback track—the machine can’t verify spray routing and triggers 9–1 / F9E1.
Typical Symptoms
You may notice the wash sounds change abruptly, water flow seems weak at one rack, or the dishwasher pauses longer than normal before setting the code. Dishes often emerge with uneven cleaning: one rack looks fine while the other shows residue, which aligns with a diverter that never reaches the commanded position.
First Actions and Safety
Shut off power at the breaker or unplug the dishwasher before opening the toe panel or working around the sump. Pull the model and serial numbers from the door rim; you’ll need them to verify parts and any service-sheet procedures for your exact unit.
Root Causes You Can Confirm
Begin with the harness that runs from the control to the diverter under the tub. Reseat the connector at the diverter until the latch clicks, and do the same at the control end. Look for pinched insulation where the harness passes sharp metal, and for corrosion on terminals near the sump where moisture can collect. Restore power briefly and listen: if the diverter attempts to move but then stalls repeatedly, the motor may lack torque or the disc may be binding on debris. With power removed again, inspect the sump area for fragments (broken glass, food bones, or label film) that can wedge in the cam path. If your model uses a separate diverter position sensor or integrated feedback track, check that its plug seats fully and that no water intrusion has crept under its cover.
Repair Approach That Works in Practice
Address connection quality first. A clean, firmly seated harness often restores the feedback signal and clears the fault on the next cycle. If the harness checks out and the disc still fails to index reliably, replace the diverter motor/assembly; this refreshes both the drive and the feedback components that most commonly fail under heat and detergent exposure. Consider the main control only after you’ve verified a good diverter assembly and verified continuity end-to-end on the diverter wiring, since control-board input failures are far less common than diverter-side problems.
Post-Repair Verification
Power up and run a diagnostic or a normal cycle. Within the first minutes you should hear distinct, smooth changes in spray sound as the diverter indexes. Mid-cycle, open the door briefly and check for strong water action alternately on the lower and upper racks. Let the cycle continue and confirm no new fault appears at the typical indexing points. At the end, inspect both racks for even soil removal; that’s the practical confirmation that the control receives a clean position signal throughout.
Prevention and Care
Keep the filter and sump clean so hard debris can’t ride into the diverter cam. Rinse heavy labels and seeds from containers before loading. Make sure the dishwasher sits level; a tilted tub can let water track into low connectors and introduce intermittent feedback errors. Finally, after any service that involves the sump or pump area, double-check harness routing so wires don’t rub on the pump housing or sit in standing moisture.
Code 9–1 / F9E1 points to a diverter that moves without reliable position feedback. Secure the wiring, clear any physical binding, and replace the diverter assembly if indexing remains inconsistent. A clean verification run with even spray performance on both racks confirms the fix.