Bosch E17 Error Code

I have a Bosch front-loading washer. The unit stopped pumping water into the tub and flashed a Bosch E17 error code. It was working fine until this weekend when I changed the lid switch. I am sure the tub lacks water. 

I wasn’t ready for a service call, so I took things into my hands to fix the Bosch E17 error code. After researching here and there, it then hit me. I had failed the water inlet solenoid and clogged the valve screen.

The good news is:

I had to replace the entire water inlet valve. But you know what else? I also had to install a filter system in my waterline to prevent future problems. Now Bosch E17 error code will be a thing of the past.

I didn’t want to leave you hanging, so I have provided a genuine way to diagnose your Bosch washer if it is experiencing an E17 error code. Take your time to read this article and implement my suggestion.

What Does E17 Mean On A Bosch Washing Machine?

E17 error code means the Bosch washer lacks water in the tub. As a result, the washer won’t be able to start. Water comes into your washer through the water inlet valve. 

That would be the first place to check before investigating if the Bosch washer has low pressure, faulty inlet hoses and screens, faulty lid switch, and faulty level pressure switch. 

Before checking out my list for diagnosis, you need to know if you have a false or true alarm. That helps you understand if you have a genuine issue or not. 

Washers are like computers; sometimes, they can have a slight malfunction but when you do reset, it comes back to normal. You’ll have to reset the Bosch washer to find out. Here’s how the process goes:

• Switch off the Bosch washing machine at the power outlet.
• Wait for a few minutes
• Plug the washer into the socket and switch it on

If the error E17 comes back on your Bosch machine, it’s not a false alarm. The good news is that this is an issue that you can fix quickly. The lack of water in the Bosch washer is also closely related to drainage issues.

How Do I Fix E17 Error On My Bosch Washing Machine?

Low Pressure

If you lack water in the Bosch washer, you may want to check the water pressure in your house. Low pressure makes it difficult to wash your clothes. The worst is that it can take twenty to thirty minutes to fill the tub. 

For starters:

Confirm if you have low pressure in the house.

Adequate water pressure is needed to fill up the Bosch washer and then spin the cycle. If the pressure is too low, your clothes will remain dirty after washing. 

So you’ll need to check the items/clothes after each load to see if you have any stained water fixtures in the house. For instance, if your shower isn’t releasing more water, even on a high setting, you have low water pressure. 

The more faucets run in your household, the less water your washer will get. And that’s going to trigger Bosch washer error code E17. You can do one more test to confirm that you have low pressure. 

Run a small load of clothes in your washer while other water faucets(shower, water tap, etc.) are closed. It might clear the E17 error code on a Bosch washer if you had low pressure in your house.

Suppose your low water pressure is the one causing you to have an E17 error code on a Bosch washer. There are a few things you have to do right away to fix the solution:

Check if your water line is clogged. You may have to call a plumber to come and help you repair a clogged waterline. A clogged waterline can also be purchased,

If you live away from the main water source, you are going to experience low pressure often. To solve this, you’ll need to install a water pressure booster like this one. 

However, if you have clogged or corroded water lines boosting water pressure, have a plumber check the pressure first before buying a water pressure booster.

Clogged Valve Screen

Water inlet valves direct water to the Bosch washer from the water pipes. These water inlet valves (cold and hot) have screens that trap debris and dirt from going to the Bosch washer. With time this valve screen gets clogged and develops thick mildew over time that prevents water from flowing into the Bosch washer. 

The good news:

You can correct this problem quickly without needing the service of a professional plumber. Here are the steps  you have to follow in cleaning a clogged valve screen:

Step 1: Detach the water inlet valve from the Bosch washer. Ensure you unplug the Bosch washer from the electric socket. Always remove the Bosch washer away from the socket. Don’t disconnect the drain hose.

Step 2: Remove the water inlet valves behind the Bosch washer. Get pliers and unscrew the valves from behind. Ensure you have a towel and bucket to trap excess water that may spill on the flower.

Step 3: Switch off the water supply outlet and turn the knobs clockwise.

Step 4: Before checking the inlet valve, find out if excess water is coming from the valves. It would help if you waited until all the water was expelled.

Step 5: Remove the inlet valve screen from the Bosch washer. Use needle-nose pliers to do this. As we said before, the inlet valve screen may have debris and other foreign objects clogging it.

Step 6: Clean the inlet screen valves. Soak it in a cleaning agent. You can also use this vinegar water to remove the clogs. It has worked wonders for me. What the products do is loosen the debris clogged. Good cleaning agents are tough to come by, and I only recommend this one.

Step 7: Scrub or brush. After soaking, scrub or brush the inlet screen to eliminate the leftover. Then soak it again in water.

Step 8: Remove all the debris and foreign objects from the inlet screen valves. Allow it to dry.

Step 9: Put back the inlet valve in the Bosch washer, attach the hoses and tighten using the screws. Connect the Bosch washer and run it.

If you have followed every step above, you won’t get an E17 error code on your Bosch washer. However, if the error persists, you will have to diagnose the next part that causes Bosch error code E17.

Cleaning the water inlet screen is tricky. You have to remove the screen without damaging them. You have to squeeze and twist them carefully. If the water inlet screens are cemented with mineral deposits, you can’t remove them without damage. That means you’ll have to buy new screens.

Failed Water Inlet Solenoid

The water inlet valve solenoid is another area that can cause the Bosch error code E17. The water inlet valve aims to connect both the cold and hot water lines to the Bosch washer. Those solenoids usually open the valve of both hot and cold water to ensure proper water flow and are at the right temperature. 

If you have faulty solenoids, you’ll have no water supply to the tub, which will trigger error code E17, even making the Bosch washer shut off. If the filter screens are free from clogs and other debris, you need to check the solenoids.

Two wires are connected to each solenoid on the water inlet valves. Take a sticky note and label each of these wires well so that you can reattach them later. Before you begin, disconnect the washer from the electrical power supply.

Step 1: The water inlet valves are located behind the washer. You’ll have to pull the washer from the wall to access the back panel.

Step 2: Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to pull the connectors from the coil or solenoid firmly.

Step 3: Check the connectors and terminals for corrosion. If any are corroded, you’ll have to replace those terminals or clean them.

Step 4: Set the multimeter to RX1 and place each probe to each terminal. A reading of zero or infinity signals that you need to replace the solenoid. The water inlet coil will show resistance or continuity if it’s working correctly. You can either replace the entire water inlet valve or the solenoid part. Bear in mind that sometimes the valve can fail mechanically. Even if it passes the electrical test, you’ll have to replace it.

To prevent future problems of clogged water inlets, you can install a filter system in your house like the sediment backwash filter. It removes sediments from water. You won’t have any clogged filter because water that passes first from the sediment backwash filter is always free from fine-moving particles, dirt, and rust. 

That also means you’ll have water flowing high through the water inlet valve screen without a pressure drop. Installing such a system is easy; all you need is to get a plumber on board.

Checking the Pressure Sensors

The pressure sensor tells you if you have water in the drum. A faulty pressure switch prevents water from getting into the drum triggering error E17 on a Bosch washing machine. 

The pressure switch channels current from the timer control to the temperature switch and the water inlet valve when the drum is full. When complete, the pressure switch cuts the current and channels to the motor on the timer control so that the cycle can continue.

We start by checking if the air tubes have kinks, breaks, or any damage to solve this issue. The tube should also be free from water and secured to the bottom of the outer tub. The Bosch washer water level switch has three connectors. 

You need to label those connectors and disconnect them from the switch. After that, set the multimeter reading to RX1 and test each of those three terminals for continuity. If they don’t show continuity, you have a faulty pressure switch that needs to be replaced.