Code 51 is a diverter valve fault on Phase 5 and 6 Eco washers: the level dropped during recirculation as water drained away.
Model compatibility: Fisher & Paykel reuses codes across series and model years, so 51 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
Plain language
What this code means
On Phase 5 and 6 Eco models the water level fell during recirculation because water drained instead of recirculating, or the valve solenoid was damaged.
The valve’s job
Smartdrive washers in the Eco versions of Phase 5 and Phase 6 send their wash water round again, and a diverter valve chooses between recirculating it and draining it. Code 51 means the Motor Controller saw the level fall in the recirculation phase, so water is draining rather than recirculating.
Primary explanations
The diverter drains when recirculation is what it should be doing.
Water from an outside source has been sprayed onto the valve and blown the solenoid.
The manual’s test is to check the actuator, which it says is a job only for a qualified technician.
Secondary suspect
A blockage inside the valve, or a broken hinge mechanism.
Link to code 37
The pump blocked error counts the diverter as its fourth possibility. If the diverter is stuck in recirculation mode, the water level stays put while the machine attempts to drain. For that check the manual refers the technician to code 51.
Resistance for comparison
The specification section puts diverter valve resistance between 0.7k and 2.5k ohms. Code 52 quotes the same range for the wax solenoid, adding that readings depend on the ambient temperature and on how recently the valve was actuated.
Adjacent codes
Code 52: over 6 attempts to top up the water level, so the valve is not closing or is blocked.
Code 37: the pump blocked error, which refers back to this valve.
Important safety warning. Do not attempt repairs involving electrical components, gas, water lines, refrigerant or sealed systems. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to reach the outlet, and leave internal diagnostics to a qualified technician.
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