Error Code
medium
Hobart AM16 – Not Dispensing Chemicals
On your HOBART AM16 DISHWASHERS unit, chemicals not dispensing typically indicates issues…
Hobart AM16 - Error 088: Wash Tank Heater Contactor Error
Critical / Stop Operation
Warning: The information provided here is for educational purposes only.
Working with commercial kitchen equipment involves high voltage, gas, and high temperatures.
We strongly recommend contacting a certified service technician for any repairs.
We are not responsible for any damage or injuries resulting from DIY repair attempts.
This information is provided 'as is' without any guarantees of completeness or accuracy.
TLDR
On your AM16 DISHWASHERS unit, error 088 indicates the wash tank heater remains active despite software commands to turn off, triggering a protective fill and drain cycle. This suggests a critical failure of the heater contactor or a control board issue. Immediately disconnect power and contact a qualified Hobart service technician for diagnosis and repair.
Technical Details
Repair Steps:
- Immediate Power Disconnection: As the heater is continuously engaged, a critical safety hazard exists. Immediately turn off the main circuit breaker supplying power to the HOBART AM16 DISHWASHERS unit. Do NOT attempt to restart the machine until a technician has addressed the issue.
- Verify Contactor State (Visual Inspection – Power OFF): With power completely disconnected and verified by a multimeter, carefully access the electrical compartment (usually behind the front panel). Locate the wash tank heater contactor. Visually inspect it for signs of physical damage, arcing, or if the contacts appear to be welded shut in the “closed” position, even when the machine is off.
- Check Control Board for Obvious Damage (Visual Inspection – Power OFF): While power is off, briefly inspect the main control board for any visible signs of burnt components, scorch marks, or damaged relays that might be responsible for controlling the heater contactor. This is a preliminary visual check only and does not involve component testing.
- Document Observations for Technician: Note down any visual findings, the exact sequence of events leading to the error, and any previous intermittent issues. This information will be crucial for the servicing technician to expedite diagnosis.
- Contact Certified Hobart Service: Due to the critical nature of a continuously energized heater and the complexity of contactor/control board diagnostics, contacting a factory-trained or certified Hobart service technician is essential. This issue requires specialized knowledge and tools to ensure proper and safe repair.
Common Questions:
Q: Why is error 088 considered a high severity issue?
A: Error 088 is high severity because the wash tank heater remains energized even when commanded off, posing an immediate risk of overheating, component damage, and potential fire hazard. The machine enters a protective mode, rendering it inoperable.
Q: Can I reset error 088 myself?
A: No, error 088 is explicitly designated as “not user serviceable” by Hobart. Attempting to bypass or repair this issue without proper training and tools can be dangerous and may cause further damage or void warranties.
Q: What parts are usually involved in error 088?
A: This error typically points to a failure of the main wash tank heater contactor, which controls power to the heating element. Less commonly, it could be a fault with the main control board that provides the switching signal to the contactor.
When to call a technician
For this error, we recommend calling a certified technician. Do not continue operation or attempt repair yourself.
- Equipment shows a critical or stop-operation fault.
- You smell gas, burning, or see smoke or sparks.
- Error returns after following the steps above.
- You are not trained to work on this equipment.
- Warranty or safety could be affected by DIY repair.