I have owned the same dryer for about a year and just started having this F03 problem. The condensation drain hose is the soft flexible rubber hose coming out of the back of the dryer and it drains into the same drain as a washer. It's easy to pull the hose off its connector at the back of the dryer and just blow hard into it to make sure there's no lint clogging the hose and reconnect it to the dryer. Next open the panel on the left of the dryer and thoroughly rinse (water only, no soap) clean the two parts behind the door (first is plastic and behind that is the condensation filter which probably is loaded with lint). Sometimes the lint in the condensation filter channels (those that run from front to back) can be quite stuck. Use a long pipe cleaner to get in there or a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Shake the excess water out of the condensation filter and dry off the outsides of two parts. Clean all the lint out the compartment where the parts go. There is one more crucial step not mentioned in the manual. Once you remove the condensation filter you will see a small plastic panel on the lower wall of the condensation filter slot. Slide a flat blade screwdriver or a blunt table knife under the panel and gently pop it open. Under the panel is a small chamber that you can't see very well where you will find a slurry of lint/water which is what clogs the condensation outlet. With latex gloves reach in there and clean it out. Use paper towel to get it all out. Blow hard into the dryer through the condensation hose to clear up any last bits. Pop the panel back in place as well as the condensation filter and the plastic part. Take out the lint filter (within the dryer drum compartment) and wash it with soap and water. Use an old toothbrush or something to clean the screens thoroughly. Rinse well and dry it completely. Clean all the lint out of the empty compartment. Put all three parts back into the dryer. Clean all lint off the door. Using paper towel moistened with white vinegar clean the two metal sensors in drum compartment on the front wall and lower left. Run the dryer empty but with heat on for a few minutes to make sure all the water is drained out. Now try drying a load. I think it's a good idea to rinse clean the condensation filter at least once a month since it collects a lot of lint. Hope this works for you.
Just an update on my previous suggestions listed above. Eventually F:03 came back and more frequently. The hidden chamber described above had no lint but would fill with water and dryer would give F:03 error. I discovered a small pump that is not documented in any of the user or service manuals. This pump is supposed to empty the chamber via the condensation hose in the back of the dryer. I replaced the pump 2 months ago and the F:03 error has disappeared altogether. If any of you that are technically inclined and wish to replace the pump, it can be purchased from just about any online appliance part store. Search for the pump model number directly (640456) as it will not be found by looking via the dryer model number. I paid around $45 and have seen it as low as $28 on ebay.
How did you replace the pump? Any special tool to remove the screws, the seem to have oddly shaped heads.
You need to use Torx bits to remove the screws. You can find them at any Sears store or perhaps Home Depot.
Beller01 your awesome! I spent hours and hours trying to solve this. As soon as I read your reply I knew you were right! thank you so much!
"Search for the pump model number directly (640456) as it will not be found by looking via the dryer model number. I paid around $45 and have seen it as low as $28 on ebay. "
i am facing the same issue. your steps were very helpful. i think my issue lie with the pump. is this pump easy to replace? can you keep the unit stacked and replace the pump? thanks
Anyone have a link to instructions on how to replace that pump?
Cleaning out the hidden chamber totally fixed the F:03 issue for me. Thank you bellor01. It is worth spending the time to clean out this chamber completely. Blowing back down the condenser outlet hose was also a good trick.
You are my hero, the hidden chamber was completely full with lint and water. Thank you for the tip. Typical that the manual will not tell you about this.
Last time I got the F:03 I ended up paying a Bosch Technician $300 to fix this issue! I just did this myself in less than 30 minutes. The hidden chamber was completely full of lint and water. And the hose was definitely clogged. Thank you so much!
Hopefully the last update on this topic. Several months after replacing the pump the F:03 error returned. I removed the pump once again and looked over things. There was no obvious collection of lint blocking the pump and nothing obviously wrong with the pump. Upon closer inspection I noticed I fine "ring" of gelatinous material around the pump intake. Keep in mind the intake sits just a couple of millimeters above bottom of the hidden chamber. I removed the "ring" and re-installed the pump. The F:03 error was gone again!!! It has since happened a couple more times. Knowing how the pump is situated in its chamber and how to reach the pump and chamber from the front access panel, I am now able to clean out this gelatinous "ring". The easiest tool for this is a wooden coffee stirrer from Starbucks. Simply break it in 2 pieces as it is too long otherwise. Remove the panel behind the condensation filter as above. The pump intake can barely be seen towards the left. Place the wooden coffee stirrer flat on the bottom of the pump chamber. Slide it under the pump intake and sweep it side to side. Remove it and look carefully. You will see some gelatinous material. That **** is what causes the F:03. Replace all the parts. Hope this works for you. At least if it happens again I won't have to take my dryer apart.
i could not believe the amount of crud that was in this trough, no wonder it was blocked,
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Anyone have a link to instructions on how to replace that pump?
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