Error code
Bosch error code E6160
Bosch error code E6160: the controlled lower spray arm cannot find its reference position. What the code covers, what to check first, and what it does not tell you — on dishwashers.
- From $95 diagnostic, credited to the repair
- 59 cities and neighborhoods covered
- OEM parts available on order
- In writing the price, before anything is opened
What we can confirm
Code E6160, from the manufacturer's own documentation
A code is only meaningful together with the machine showing it — the same digits mean different things on different equipment.
The code
E6160
The controlled lower spray arm cannot find its reference position
or call (305) 783-3552
What it narrows down to
Lower spray arm position
What you are probably seeing
Diagnostic
From $95, credited to the repair
What it looks like from the kitchen
The symptom this code usually arrives with
A code names the subsystem; the symptom is what sent you to look at the display in the first place. That page says what it usually turns out to be, cheapest cause first.
-
Film, grit or dishes still dirty Dishwasher not cleaning properly
Dishes coming out gritty, cloudy or with food still on them. In a hard-water city a good share of this is scale and detergent rather than a failed part — and the machine will eventually tell you so with a code of its own.
- Grit left in glasses and cups
- A white film on everything
- Food still on the lower rack
On the same appliance
What else belongs to the dishwashers
On this make a code belongs to the appliance rather than to a product line. These are the other conditions this machine can display, and the models that can show this one — a display often has more than one thing to say, and the model number decides what any of it costs to put right.
Other codes this appliance can display
Heat pump circuit
Board relay
Heating self-test
Wash arm diverter
Door sensor
Drying fan
Heat pump heater
Mineral chamber heater
Scale build-up
Flow meter
Leak protection
Water not entering
The same digits mean different things on different equipment. Search the full code list
In more detail
About Bosch error code E6160
What this one means
The controlled lower spray arm cannot find its reference position.
What the code covers
A published cause names a circuit rather than a component, which is the single most useful thing to know before ordering a part. This one covers:
- The mechanism that steers the lower arm
- Something physically fouling it
What to try yourself
- Spin the lower spray arm by hand with the rack loaded as you normally load it
- Look for a knife handle or a baking sheet hanging through the rack
Then what
This belongs to the models whose lower arm targets the dirtiest area rather than simply spinning. Something blocking its travel is the first thing to rule out and it is free.
This code is published for dishwashers. The full list of codes has the rest.
This article is based on:
- Official manufacturer documentation
- Internal repair procedures
- Technician repair history
- Company quality standards