LG Washer Error Code LE: Free the Locked Motor

The Logic Verdict

Steve from Trim That Weed calls out three culprits every time LE flashes: loose wiring at the circulation motor, foamy water from regular dish soap, and debris stuck in the drain/circulation impeller. He pulls the side covers, peels back the insulation, and reseats the harness before showing how a tablespoon or two of proper detergent and an impeller inspection bring the motor load back to normal. Follow that same order and the code usually stays gone without digging into the control board.

What It Means

LE = locked motor error. The main board monitors current draw from the circulation pump. If the harness is open, the impeller can’t spin, or foam prevents water from moving, the board assumes the motor is locked and stops the wash mid-cycle.

Common Causes

• Loose or damaged wiring harness. Vibration can tug on the circulation pump connector and interrupt signals to the board.
• Excessive suds. Using non-HE soap or dumping in too much detergent fills the sump with foam that stalls the impeller.
• Blocked drain/circulation impeller. Utensils, food scraps, or glass wedged in the impeller keep it from spinning freely and mimic a seized motor.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Kill power and pull the unit out a few inches. Turn the dishwasher off, flip the breaker, and slide the tub forward so you can reach the side screws safely.
2. Remove the side covers and insulation. According to the video, back out the screws on the tub sides, lift off the metal panel, and peel away any glued insulation to expose the wiring harness.
3. Inspect and reseat the harness. Tug gently on the circulation pump connector, look for damaged insulation, and reseat or replace any loose leads before reinstalling the side cover.
4. Measure detergent correctly. Switch to true dishwasher detergent and stick to the 1–2 tablespoon dose Trim That Weed recommends so the sump doesn’t fill with suds that trip LE.
5. Clear the drain/circulation impeller. Pull the lower rack and filters, check for trapped utensils or glass around the impeller, and remove debris so it spins freely.
6. Reassemble and run a test wash. Restore the insulation, reinstall the side panels, power the unit back up, and start a rinse cycle to confirm steady water flow and an LE-free cycle.

Parts & Tools

• LG AGM76429503 circulation pump motor (fixes true motor lockups when reseating the harness doesn’t help)
• Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs (pre-measured low-suds detergent that keeps the pump from foaming out)

Resources