Dishwasher displays E3 and stops; water is present but does not heat, and dishes come out cold and wet.

Safety first: Disconnect mains power before removing panels. Heating components operate at full mains voltage and can cause electric shock.

• Confirm symptom: Run a hot program and open the door carefully after 15–20 minutes (pause cycle first). If the water is cold and E3 appears, the heater circuit is likely faulty.
• Check wiring and connectors: Remove the lower front or side panel to access the flow-through heater (often mounted on the circulation pump) or base heater. Inspect connectors for burning, discoloration, or loose terminals.
• Test heater resistance: With the appliance unplugged, disconnect the heater terminals and measure resistance with a multimeter. A typical Teka dishwasher heater is usually between 20–30 Ω. Infinite resistance indicates an open heater that must be replaced.
• Inspect NTC sensor: Locate the NTC (temperature sensor) in the sump or on the heater housing. Check for broken wires or corrosion. Measure its resistance at room temperature and compare with service data; a short or open sensor will cause E3.
• Control board check: If heater and NTC test good, the heater relay on the main PCB may be burned. This requires removing the control module from the door and visually inspecting the relay and solder joints. Replace the main control board if damage is found.

If you are not experienced with electrical testing, have a professional technician perform these checks.