Thermador Dishwasher E0103: A Relay on the Main Board

What E0103 means

A cycle stops without warning and the display shows E0103. Thermador describes a relay going wrong on the main control board. A relay is the small switch that sends power to parts like pumps and valves, and the board has found that one of them is not switching the way it should. Until the switch is tested, the machine may refuse to start or stop at random moments.

Usual causes of E0103

A relay on the main control board that has failed

✓ A safe check worth trying

1. Turn off the breaker for the dishwasher. 2. Wait thirty seconds. 3. Turn the breaker on again and let the control start. 4. Select a short cycle and watch whether the problem clears. If it does not, stop there and call us.

! Why you should stop here

A control-board relay is not something a homeowner can service if the breaker reset fails.
Board work takes a meter and the right replacement, so guessing could cost far more than it saves.

Taking off a panel yourself does not by default void a manufacturer warranty, yet it can lead to accidental damage, and some manufacturers attach their own service terms. Read your warranty paperwork, or ask us, before you decide.

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E0103E0103 questions

Will E0103 force a new control board?

Not always. Testing shows whether only one relay is affected or the wider board, before any repair is suggested. We then confirm it before any quote.

The code went away after the reset. Am I in the clear?

Maybe for now. A relay that is wearing out can behave for a while. If E0103 comes back, schedule a visit rather than resetting again and again.

Can I replace the board myself?

We would advise against it. Boards are tied to the model and its software, and the wiring carries line voltage. A mismatched board can leave you with a dishwasher that still does not run.