Bosch Dishwasher Service Test Result 16: Spray Diverter

What 16 means

Answering the service test with a 16, an older Bosch dishwasher is naming its water switch. That part is the diverter that sends pump output to one spray arm or the other. Bosch's text-display models of that era split the failure in two: either no pulses come back from the switch, or the switch runs without ever stopping.

Common causes of 16

Switch motor dead or its position sensing lost
Debris jamming the diverter
Cable between switch and control board failing

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Run a normal load and compare the racks afterward. 2. If one rack comes out consistently less clean across different loads, the diverter is probably not stepping between positions. 3. Make a note of which rack it is, along with how long it has been happening, and call us.

! Why to stop there

The diverter sits inside the wash circuit, so it needs the machine opened.
A jam by debris is a cleaning job, not a part.
Replacing the motor does not help if the cause is wiring.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Dishwasher codes

E:01Bosch Dishwasher E:01: Cycle Ended Early, Heater Relay or Pump Unconfirmed E:30Bosch Dishwasher E:30, Voltage Too High and the Machine Shut Down E:31Water in the Zeolite Container - Bosch Dishwasher E:31 FBosch Dishwasher F on an Older Display (Water Filling) 2HBosch Dishwasher 2H: Long Cycle Warning on Older Displays 1Bosch Dishwasher Service Test Result 1: Aqua Sensor 2Bosch Dishwasher Service Test Result 2: Heating Group 4Bosch Dishwasher Service Test Result 4: Water Filling

1616 questions

Why would only one rack be dirty?

The diverter alternates the water between the spray arms. If it sticks on one position, the other rack gets little or no wash, and the difference shows up load after load.

Can I free a stuck diverter myself?

We advise against it. Reaching it means opening the wash circuit, and you could damage the switch or wiring. A technician can free or replace it safely, after checking the wiring too.

Is a diverter repair costly?

It is usually a moderate repair. We diagnose first, then give you a written price covering the specific repair before we start any work on your machine, so there are no surprises.