What Er:13 Means
Er:13 on a Bosch front-load washer means the drain pump ran for longer than allowed without emptying the drum. Both service documents name the same three causes: a damaged pump, a faulty wire harness, and a blocked hose. On these machines the pump filter at the bottom front is the first thing to look at, because it is designed to catch exactly what causes this.
Common Causes of Er:13
- Drain pump filter blocked with debris
- Drain hose kinked or blocked further along
- Drain pump impeller damaged or the pump harness faulty
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Open the flap at the bottom front, lay a towel and a shallow tray underneath, and unscrew the pump filter slowly to let the water out in stages. Clear the coins, buttons and hairgrips you find, rinse the filter and the housing, and screw it back in straight.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- The filter housing holds standing water under the weight of the drum, and opening it quickly floods the floor rather than the tray.
- Forcing a filter that has seized cross-threads the plastic housing, which is a far bigger repair than the blockage.
- Past the filter, the pump carries mains voltage and the machine has to be isolated before anything goes near it.
- A pump refitted with its impeller fouled seizes on the next cycle, turning a blockage into a motor replacement.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.