Dexter Washer Error Code F5: Pressure Switch Error
F5 is a pressure switch error on OPL washers: the high level sensor says full while the lower one says empty. The cycle continues. A technician checks the switch contacts, harness connections and Molex connector pins.
Medium: the cycle continues, but the water level may be wrong.
What does Dexter error code F5 mean?
OPL washers use a pressure switch with more than one level sensor, and the controller expects the sensors to agree with each other. The high level sensor cannot be full while the lower one is empty, because water fills from the bottom. When the controller sees that impossible combination, it shows F5 and carries on with the cycle, using the information it has. The manual's checks are electrical: the pressure switch contacts, the harness connections and the Molex connector pins. No individual causes are itemized for this code. A contact that is dirty or a pin that has backed out of its connector can leave one sensor reading wrongly, and that is more likely than a switch failure. Because the cycle continues, the washer may fill to the wrong level, so wash quality and water use are worth watching until the switch is checked. An operator who sees the tub fill unusually high or low during that time should mention it on the service call.
Affected models and control systems
Dexter T-450 SWD Express stack washer-dryers, serial 481983 and up. The same F10 to F21 table appears in the WCAD-Series vended washers manual (8533-073-001, 11/11). Older Dexter washers number their drive codes differently.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- F5 on the display
- Cycle continues with an uncertain water level
- Tub overfilling or underfilling
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind error code F5 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Molex pin pushed back in its housing
- Moisture on the switch contacts
- Pressure tube partly blocked so one level reads late
Safe checks before calling for service
- Watch one fill to see whether the water level looks right.
- Switch the washer off and on once, then run a short cycle.
- Do not touch the pressure switch wiring.
- Tell the technician if the tub overfills or underfills with F5.
How a technician diagnoses error code F5
- Read the code and note that it is an OPL washer.
- Check the pressure switch contacts.
- Check the harness connections.
- Inspect the Molex connector pins for backed-out terminals.
- Replace the pressure switch if its levels disagree.
- The switch and harness connect to the live controller.
- Molex pins are small and easily damaged.
- A wrong level can cause overflow.
How error code F5 differs from similar codes
F5 applies to OPL washers only. F2 and F8 are fill and drain time alarms.
Technical reference
- Document
- Dexter Commercial Vended Stack Washer Dryer Troubleshooting, Fault Codes, And Schematics (Troubleshooting Washer Fault Errors (F-Codes))
- Maker documentation
- Dexter owner support
- Edition
- Part # 8533-070-001 (12/13), starting serial number 481983
- Models / control
- Dexter T-450 SWD Express stack washer-dryer, serial 481983 and up; the same F10-F21 table is in the WCAD-Series vended washers manual (8533-073-001 11/11)
- Section
- Troubleshooting Washer Fault Errors (F-Codes), p.6-10
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Dexter washer error codes
Does F5 stop the cycle?
No, the cycle continues.
Which washers show F5?
The manual lists it for OPL only. A washer that is not an OPL model will not show this code, and a similar-looking message there would be something else.
Is the switch bad?
Often the connector pins or contacts are the cause, and those are cheaper to correct than a new switch. A technician checks them first and replaces the switch only if its levels still disagree.
Need help with Dexter error code F5?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.