# How to Fix GE Error E42 (Motor Over Current)
The GE error code E42 indicates a critical failure related to the washing machine’s drive system. This guide will help you understand the code and diagnose the likely failed component.
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## What Does GE Error Code E42 Mean?
Error code **E42** stands for **Motor Over Current**.
In plain English, this means the electronic control board (the washer’s main computer) detected that the drive motor is drawing significantly more electrical current (amperage) than it should during its operation.
The control board immediately shuts down the wash cycle as a safety precaution to prevent damage to the electronics or the motor itself.
### Likely Causes:
1. **Motor Failure:** The windings inside the motor assembly have shorted, are failing, or the internal bearings have seized. This is the most common cause.
2. **Mechanical Obstruction:** Something is physically preventing the tub/drum from spinning (e.g., a sock caught in the drain pump or an issue with the transmission, though less likely than the motor itself).
3. **Wiring Issue:** A damaged or shorted wiring harness connecting the motor to the control board.
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## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
Since the GE E42 error points strongly toward a faulty motor assembly, these steps focus on confirming that diagnosis and ruling out simpler issues first.
### Step 1: Perform a Hard Reset
Electrical glitches can sometimes trigger false error codes. Always start with a simple reset.
1. **Unplug:** Disconnect the washing machine from the wall outlet.
2. **Wait:** Leave the machine unplugged for a minimum of **5 minutes** to allow the control board capacitors to completely drain and reset.
3. **Plug In:** Plug the washer back in and attempt to run a short diagnostic cycle (or a spin cycle).
If the E42 code reappears immediately, proceed to Step 2.
### Step 2: Check for Mechanical Obstructions
If the motor is struggling against a bind, it will draw excessive current.
1. **Empty the Tub:** Ensure the washer tub is empty of clothes and water.
2. **Spin Manually:** Try to rotate the wash drum by hand. It should move relatively smoothly (you will feel some resistance from the transmission, but it should not be completely locked or seized).
3. **Listen:** If the tub spins freely, the problem is likely electrical (the motor itself). If the tub is locked or extremely stiff, you may have a foreign object jammed between the drum and the outer tub, or the transmission/bearings have failed.
### Step 3: Access and Inspect the Motor Assembly
You will need to access the motor, which is usually located at the back or bottom of the machine. **Always unplug the washer before opening access panels.**
1. **Locate the Motor:** Once accessed, look for the motor, stator, and rotor components.
2. **Visual Inspection:** Look closely at the motor and the wire harness plugged into it.
* Are there any signs of water damage?
* Do you see any visible charring, melting, or burnt plastic smell around the motor housing or connection points? (This is a strong indicator of a short circuit inside the motor.)
3. **Check Connections:** Gently wiggle the wiring harness connecting the motor to the control board. Ensure it is seated securely and that the wires are not frayed, pinched, or cut.
### Step 4: Test the Motor Windings (Advanced)
If the visual inspection is inconclusive, you can use a multimeter to test the motor windings for shorts or breaks.
**Disclaimer:** This step requires comfortable knowledge of electrical testing.
1. **Isolate the Motor:** Disconnect the wire harness from the motor.
2. **Set Multimeter:** Set your multimeter to the resistance setting (Ohms Ω).
3. **Measure Resistance:** Consult your specific GE model’s service manual for the exact resistance values. Generally, you will measure the resistance across the different motor winding terminals.
* **Healthy Motor:** Should show a low, but stable, resistance value (usually less than 10 Ohms).
* **Faulty Motor:** If the meter reads **OL (Open Loop/Infinity)** or **0 (Short Circuit)**, the motor windings are damaged and the motor must be replaced.
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## Conclusion
If the E42 error persists after performing a hard reset (Step 1) and visual inspection (Step 3) suggests damage, the **Motor Assembly** is almost certainly the failed component and needs replacement.
Check the price for a replacement Motor Assembly here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=GE+Motor Assembly&tag=trivian-20