A Kenmore washer that keeps draining usually has a blocked pressure sensor hose or a siphon problem caused by the drain pipe being too low. Check that your drain hose is not shoved too far down the standpipe and ensure the pressure switch is resetting to the empty position.
When I show up for this one, I'm looking at the drain hose first and the pressure tube second. Nine times out of ten it's one of those two, and you're either spending $0 or about $15. Leave it running like this and you'll burn out the pump motor inside a few weeks, which turns a cheap fix into a $80-120 repair. Get on it now.
OK so here's the deal. Your Kenmore either thinks the tub is full when it isn't, or water is physically siphoning out as fast as it fills up. Both situations tell the machine to keep pumping. The pressure switch is the brain behind your water level readings, and if the little tube connected to it is cracked or clogged with soap gunk, the whole system goes sideways. Honestly, 70% of the calls I get for this are a hose height problem or a $15 pressure switch. Good news for your wallet.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
Drain hose siphon issues45%
Pressure switch or hose failure35%
Control board relay failure15%
Inlet valve leakage5%
Symptoms You May Notice
Pump starts running the instant you plug the machine in, before you even press any buttons, and it just doesn't stop.
You can hear water filling AND the pump running at the exact same time, like the machine is fighting itself and losing.
Cycle gets stuck at the drain portion and never advances to spin, just the pump humming on and on indefinitely.
Tub stays bone dry no matter how long the fill cycle runs, water never actually builds up to any usable level.
Pump is running and humming but the drum is completely dry, zero water anywhere, just a motor going nowhere.
Can you reset a Kenmore washer to clear the SYMPTOM-CONSTANT-DRAIN code?
Unplug the washer from the wall outlet completely, don't just hit the power button. Wait a full 60 seconds. For most Kenmore top-loaders, plug back in and then lift and lower the lid 6 times within 12 seconds. You should hear the motor click to confirm the reset took. For front-loaders, plug in and hold Start/Pause for 5 full seconds until you hear a click from the control panel. If the pump fires up immediately after reset without any input from you, that's a hardware issue, not a software glitch.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverNeedle-nose pliersDigital multimeterSmall bucket or old towelsZip tie or hose guide clip
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range0–50 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Kenmore washer drain even when it is turned off?
That's almost always a stuck drain relay on the control board. The relay is basically just a switch that should only close when the board tells it to, but if it's welded shut from electrical arcing, it's physically stuck ON and current runs to the pump regardless of what the display says. I see this after power surges a lot. Unplugging it stops it, plugging back in starts it again immediately. That's your confirmation. You need a new control board, usually $80-150 depending on your specific model number.
How high should the drain hose be on a Kenmore washer?
At least 34 inches off the floor, no more than 96 inches. And the hose should only go 4-6 inches into the standpipe itself, not all the way to the bottom of it. Here's why this matters: if the hose hangs too low or goes too deep into the pipe, water siphons out by gravity alone. Machine fills, water drains immediately, machine fills again. It's a loop that'll run forever. Super common after someone moves the washer and doesn't double-check the hose position when reconnecting everything.
Can a clogged lint filter cause constant draining?
Honestly, no. A clogged filter causes a no-drain error or really slow draining, not nonstop draining. You might get a slightly extended drain cycle if the pump's struggling, but you're not going to get an endless drain loop from lint. If it's draining continuously, go check the pressure tube and the drain hose height before you dig into the filter. You'd basically be wasting your time otherwise.
What is a siphon break and do I need one?
A siphon break is just an air gap. When your drain hose fits tightly into the standpipe with no room for air to get in around it, gravity just keeps pulling water down continuously. You break the siphon by making sure there's a gap between the hose and the pipe wall so air can enter, or you use that U-shaped plastic hose guide that came with the machine to keep the hose end at the right height. Most hardware stores also sell little anti-siphon clips for a couple bucks if you lost the original guide.
Is it worth repairing a Kenmore washer with this issue?
Yeah, almost always. Hose adjustment is free. Pressure tube is maybe $8. Pressure switch is $15-30. Inlet valve is $20-40. The only tough call is the control board at $80-150. But a new washer runs $500-800 minimum, and that's on the low end. Unless your machine is 12+ years old and already having a bunch of other problems, the math almost always works out in favor of fixing it. I'd put the cutoff at roughly $200 in parts before I'd start recommending replacement.
How do I know if it's the pressure switch or the control board causing this?
Easy test. If the pump runs immediately when you plug the machine in, before you press anything, and the display is blank or acting weird, that points to the board. If the pump only starts once you begin a cycle but then never stops, that's almost always the pressure switch or the tube connected to it. Check the tube first since it's free to diagnose, just disconnect and blow through it. Then test the switch with a multimeter. Only start seriously thinking board if both those check out completely fine.
Models Known to Experience SYMPTOM-CONSTANT-DRAIN Errors
This repair applies to most Kenmore washers with this error code. Common model numbers include: