How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Disconnect power and ensure the machine is cool before accessing the control board.

Confirm heater function: Verify that the heater element itself has correct resistance. If the heater is good but never energizes, suspect the relay or wiring.
Inspect control board: Remove the inner door panel and examine the main control board. Look for a burnt or cracked relay near the heater terminals.
Check connectors: Ensure heater wires are firmly attached at both the heater and board ends.
Board repair or replacement: In most cases, the entire control board is replaced rather than repairing individual relays. Install a new board with the correct Ilve part number.
Test cycle: Reassemble, restore power, and run a hot program to confirm heating and that E18 no longer appears.

Dishwasher shows E18; water remains cold and the unit may not progress past the wash phase.

Possible Causes