Display shows E3 and the valve head remains in one position without completing regeneration
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the softener before removing the valve cover. Water may discharge if you manually move the valve; keep towels handy.
- Listen for motor: During an attempted regeneration, you should normally hear the BWT valve motor running. If it is silent, suspect a motor or power issue.
- Inspect wiring: Remove the plastic cover on the BWT valve head. Check the motor harness and position switch connectors for loose plugs, corrosion, or damaged insulation. Reseat all connectors firmly.
- Check for mechanical jam: With power off, gently try to rotate the cam/gear (if accessible) by hand. It should move with some resistance but not be seized. If jammed, look for foreign objects or broken plastic pieces.
- Test motor: If you have a multimeter and skills, verify that the motor receives voltage during a regeneration command. If voltage is present but the motor does not turn, the motor is defective.
- Reset and retry: Reassemble the cover, restore power, and perform a control reset according to the BWT manual, then start a manual regeneration.
If E3 persists, the BWT valve drive motor or cam assembly will likely need replacement by a service technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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