Amana Dishwasher Error Code 8-2

Code 8-2 indicates a drain motor electrical problem. The control board detected a fault in the drain motor circuit, which could be a loose wire connection, an open drain motor winding, a blown fuse on the control board's drain output, or a failed drain motor drive circuit on the control board itself. Running the dishwasher's diagnostic mode and testing the drain motor winding resistance are the first steps to narrowing down which component is at fault.

You should not continue running the dishwasher with code 8-2 active. The drain motor circuit is not functioning correctly, which means the dishwasher may be unable to pump water out of the tub. Running a cycle without reliable draining risks leaving standing water in the unit or, in worse cases, an overflow situation. Stop using the dishwasher until the fault is diagnosed and repaired.

First, run the dishwasher's diagnostic cycle to observe whether the drain motor activates at all. Then unplug the dishwasher or disconnect power at the breaker. Disconnect the wiring harness from the drain motor and set a multimeter to the resistance setting. Place the probes on the motor's winding terminals and note the reading. Check your model's service manual for the correct winding resistance range. A reading of infinite resistance or far outside the specified range indicates an open winding and confirms the motor needs to be replaced.

Start by unplugging the dishwasher and inspecting all wire connectors in the drain motor circuit for looseness or corrosion. Reseat any loose connectors and retest. If the connections are solid, use a multimeter to measure the resistance of the drain motor winding at the motor terminals and compare it to the spec in your service manual. A reading that is open or far out of range points to a failed motor that needs replacement. If the motor and wiring test good, the control board's drain drive circuit or its protective fuse may have failed, which typically requires board replacement.

If the fix is simply reseating a loose connector, the repair costs nothing beyond your time. A replacement drain motor typically runs between $40 and $100 for the part, and a professional technician will add one to two hours of labor on top of that. If the control board's drain drive circuit has failed and the board needs replacement, the part alone can range from $80 to $200 depending on the model. Checking wiring and the motor yourself first is reasonable for a DIY homeowner; board-level diagnosis is better left to a technician with the right testing equipment.