Viking Built-In Dishwasher Code Motor Control Comms Error (1-3): motor control not answering

What Motor Control Comms Error means

On Viking Professional VDB450 and FDB451 built-in dishwashers with the second-generation control, flash pattern 1-3 is a Motor Control Comms Error: the Pots/Pans light blinks once and the Normal Wash light blinks three times. The main control is trying to talk to the motor control and gets no usable answer. Without that link the pump motor cannot be commanded, so the cycle stops and the lights repeat.

Common causes of Motor Control Comms Error

Communication between the main control and the motor control interrupted
Loose or damaged connection between the two boards
Motor control board not responding

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Switch the dishwasher's breaker off for about two minutes, then turn it back on. 2. Close the door firmly until it latches and press Start for a short cycle. 3. If the pattern 1-3 comes back, stop there; this is an electronics link between boards and cannot be corrected with filters or hoses. Call us and tell us the pattern you saw.

! Why to stop there

The two boards sit behind panels and need meter checks to tell a bad link from a bad board
Changing the wrong board is an expensive guess
We give the price in writing before work, and our repair carries a 30-day warranty

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.

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Other Dishwasher codes

Motor Control Status ErrorViking Built-In Dishwasher Code Motor Control Status Error (1-2): motor control reports a problem Motor Status ErrorViking Built-In Dishwasher Code Motor Status Error (3-4): wash motor status reported Motor Under Voltage ErrorViking Built-In Dishwasher Code Motor Under Voltage Error (3-5): motor supply too low Pots/Pans + Heavy FlashingViking Designer Dishwasher Code Pots/Pans + Heavy Flashing: blocked drain E:09Viking Dishwasher Code E:09: display board communication problem Pressure Sensor Disconnect ErrorViking Built-In Dishwasher Code Pressure Sensor Disconnect (2-1): Huba sensor not detected E:10Viking Dishwasher Code E:10: user interface board communication problem Pump Flow ErrorViking Built-In Dishwasher Code Pump Flow Error (3-2): wash flow not as expected

Motor Control Comms ErrorMotor Control Comms Error questions

What is the motor control?

It is the part of the electronics that drives the wash motor and pump. Pattern 1-3 says the main control cannot reach it, so the motor is never told to run.

Will a power reset clear it?

Sometimes for a cycle or two, because both boards restart and find each other again. If 1-3 returns, the link or one of the boards has a real problem that needs a technician.

Does this affect the water or the door?

No. This pattern is purely about the boards talking to each other. Checking the supply valve or the filter will not change it, so save yourself the effort and call us.