Troubleshooting error codes E07 and E08 on a Bosch washer

Front-load washers are popular appliances known for their energy efficiency, large capacity, and effective cleaning performance. However, like any complex appliance, they can develop issues that require troubleshooting and repair. Two common error codes are E07 and E08 Bosch Washer Errors. These codes indicate problems with the electrical heating system and can prevent the washer from operating properly. With some basic tools and safety precautions, many DIYers can diagnose and fix these failures themselves. We’ll also provide tips for preventing repeat error code occurrences.

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The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Accessing stored error codes 

Accessing the last stored error code can be done by pressing the Start/Pause button and scroll through list of fault codes by pressing the Spin Selection button.

What do the error codes mean?

On Bosch and Siemens front-load washers, E07 and E08 errors relate to malfunctions of the electrical heating system during wash cycles that use hot water.

Specifically:

• E07 indicates an unexpected heating error. This means the heating element switched on at the wrong time.
• E08 indicates the heating element failed to shut off when it should have. The heater remained energized past the appropriate time in the cycle.

These error codes appear on the digital display during washing cycles. E07 and E08 also get logged in the washer’s fault code memory and can be viewed by entering the diagnostic test mode.

The heating system problems indicated by E07 and E08 will prevent the washer from completing wash cycles properly. The appliance control board detects the abnormal heating operation and stops the cycle, showing an error code instead of the normal end-of-cycle display.Now let’s look at potential causes and troubleshooting steps for E07 and E08 failures.

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts. 
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing. 
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.

How to access the heater and control board

To access the main control module, remove 4 torx screws on the front and side of the front control panel and lift it up. The knob does not need to be removed. 

To access the heating element, remove the hinge cover torx screws and the screws from the hinge under it.  Remove the door seal spring, door latch screws and carefully lift off the front door panel.  Remove the top and bottom front panel screws and lift the front panel off. The heater will be located on the bottom of the outer tub. 

What causes E07: unexpected heating errors?

There are three main possibilities if an E07 unexpected heating error occurs:

1. Faulty heater element – Damage like burned-out resistance wires can cause the heater to switch on erratically at the wrong times in the cycle.
2. Stuck heater relay – The electrical contacts inside the relay may be fused together, supplying continuous power to the heater element.
3. Defective appliance control board – The control module that operates the washer’s components could be malfunctioning and signaling the heater at improper times.

Here are the troubleshooting steps to isolate the cause of an E07 failure:

Step 1: check the heater element

The first thing to check is the heating element itself. Remove power from the washer, then disconnect the wires leading to the heater terminals. Measure the resistance across the heater element using a multimeter. Refer to the service manual for your model’s exact heater resistance specifications. Typically it will be in the range of 13 to 15 ohms.

If the measured resistance is infinite, zero, or far outside the specified range, the heater has an internal failure and must be replaced. This is the most likely cause of random E07 heating activation.

Step 2: check for a stuck heater relay

If the heater element tests okay, the next thing to check is the heater relay on the control board. This is an electromechanical switch that directs power to the heating element under control board command. The contacts can sometimes fuse together, keeping the heater circuit closed when it should be open.

Carefully check the relay operation by activating a heating wash cycle and monitoring heater operation. Also watch for relay clicking sounds. If the heater stays on even when the control board commands it off, the relay is likely stuck closed. The control board will then need to be replaced to resolve the E07 error.

Step 3: test control board operation

If both the heater and relay test good, the cause may be a malfunctioning appliance control board. These units generate control signals to operate the washer’s components like the heater, valves, motor, and pumps.

To test if the control board is activating the heater improperly, monitor the voltage going to the heating element during a wash cycle. The voltage should only be present when heat is required. If voltage continues after the proper heating time, the control board is likely defective and signaling the heater incorrectly. Replace the faulty control module to resolve an E07 error.

The washer’s automatic diagnostic test mode can also help pinpoint control errors. On Bosch models, run test cycle P03 to visually check if the heater is switching on and off as expected.

Those are the main causes and troubleshooting steps for unexpected heating errors. Next we’ll cover diagnosing E08 failures when the heater won’t shut off.

What causes E08: heater won’t shut off errors?

The possible causes for a continuous heating E08 error are similar to E07 failures:

1. Faulty heater element – The internal heater wiring may have shorted, allowing current to continue flowing even when the control board switches it off. This keeps the element heated.
2. Stuck heater relay – Like an E07 error, the relay contacts can fuse together and remain closed, failing to cut power to the heater.
3. Defective control board – If the board malfunctions, it may never send the signal to de-energize the heating circuit at the proper time.

Here are the troubleshooting procedures for an E08 failure:

Step 1: check heater resistance

As with an E07 error, start by testing the heater element resistance with the heater wires disconnected. If the readings are outside the normal range, replace the faulty heater. Shorted internal wires can allow continuous heating.

Step 2: test the heater relay

Monitor the heater relay while running a hot wash cycle. Listen for chattering contacts and check that the heater turns off when required. If it stays hot with the relay contacts closed, replace the control board to resolve the stuck relay.

Step 3: verify control board operation

Monitor the voltage to the heater element during a cycle. The control board should cut power at the appropriate times. If voltage remains constant, the control module is likely defective and unable to deactivate heating when needed. Replace the faulty control board.

Bosch’s automatic test mode P16 can also be used to check proper heater and control board operation. The heating system should switch off after reaching the target temperature.

Those are the main troubleshooting steps for E08 continuous heating errors. Next we’ll go over some tips to keep in mind when diagnosing and resolving E07/E08 failures.

Additional information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your Bosch washer working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos. 

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