GE Dryer Error Code 002

Error code 002 on a GE dryer indicates an Outlet Thermistor Short condition. The outlet thermistor is a temperature-sensing resistor located at the exhaust outlet of the dryer drum. Its job is to continuously monitor the air temperature leaving the drum and report that data to the control board. When the control board detects that the thermistor's readings have fallen below the expected low threshold on 10 or more consecutive counts, it interprets this pattern as a shorted sensor and sets the 002 error. A shorted thermistor means the component's internal resistance has dropped abnormally low, causing it to report unrealistically low temperature values.

Thermistors used in dryer exhaust systems are typically Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) devices, meaning their resistance decreases as temperature increases. A short circuit in the thermistor or its wiring forces resistance toward zero, making the control board believe the outlet temperature is far lower than it actually is. This condition is distinct from an open circuit failure, where the thermistor reads abnormally high values. The 10-reading threshold built into the GE control logic helps filter out transient electrical noise, so a 002 error reflects a persistent, not momentary, fault.

The most direct fix is to inspect and test the outlet thermistor and its associated wiring harness. A failed thermistor must be replaced. However, wiring issues such as pinched harness wires, connector corrosion, or a short between wiring leads can produce identical symptoms without the thermistor itself being defective. Both the component and its circuit path should be evaluated before condemning the part.