How to Install Dishwasher Water-Level Sensor 00499500 in a Bosch Dishwasher

Quick answer: Turn off the breaker and water valve, remove the toe panel and find the sensor in the base beside the sump. Photograph its hose and wire plug, pull them off, release the clip or screw, fit 00499500 the same way, reconnect the hose without kinks and run a rinse to confirm the fill stops correctly.

The water-level sensor 00499500 is the pressure switch that tells the control in your Bosch dishwasher when the tub has taken in enough water. It sits low in the base, connected by a thin air hose to a chamber on the sump, and it senses the pressure of the water column to switch the fill valve off. When it sticks or its diaphragm fails, the dishwasher overfills and leaks, underfills and washes poorly, or stops with a fill error. Bosch lists this sensor for models such as SHI6806UC12, SHI6805UC11, SHI4306UC12 and SHU3305UC11.

Replacing the sensor is a moderate job. Nothing about the part is hard to handle, but you have to work in the cramped base of the dishwasher with the toe panel off, and the sensor's air hose must be reconnected without kinks or leaks, or the new sensor will read wrong. Take a photo before you disconnect anything and the swap goes quickly.

See part details and every compatible model: 00499500

⚠️ Safety First
  • Turn off the breaker for the dishwasher and shut the water supply valve before removing the toe panel.
  • Check the base for standing water before reaching in; if there is water, dry it and find the leak first.
  • Wear gloves; the base pan has sharp edges and the hose clamp can pinch.
  • Do not run the dishwasher with the toe panel off and your hands near the base.

Tools and Parts You Need

  • Torx and Phillips screwdrivers for the toe panel and sensor mount
  • Flashlight or headlamp for the dark base area
  • Needle-nose pliers for the hose clamp and wire plug latch
  • Towel and shallow tray for water in the base
  • Phone camera for a photo of the hose and connector
  • Work gloves

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Cut power and water Switch off the breaker and close the water valve under the sink. Open the door and confirm the control panel is dead.
  2. Remove the toe panel Take out the screws along the bottom front of the dishwasher and lift the toe panel and any insulation strip away. Shine a light into the base.
  3. Find the sensor Locate the small round or oval sensor mounted low in the base near the sump, with one thin air hose and one wire plug attached. It may be clipped to a bracket or held by a single screw.
  4. Photograph and disconnect Photograph the hose and plug positions. Press the latch on the wire plug and pull it off, then slide the hose clamp back and work the hose off the sensor's nipple.
  5. Remove the old sensor Release the clip or remove the screw and lift the old sensor out. Look at the hose end for cracks or splits and trim it slightly if it is stretched.
  6. Fit 00499500 Mount the new sensor in the same position and orientation, with the nipple pointing the same way as the old one. Secure the clip or screw.
  7. Reconnect hose and plug Push the air hose fully onto the nipple and slide the clamp back over it. Route the hose in a gentle curve with no kinks or low loops that could trap water, then push the wire plug on until it clicks.
  8. Test the fill Open the water valve, restore the breaker and run a rinse cycle with the toe panel still off. Watch that the fill stops at the normal level below the door lip and that nothing drips in the base, then refit the panel.

Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done

  • Sensor is mounted in the same orientation as the original
  • Air hose is fully seated on the nipple with the clamp in place
  • Hose runs without kinks, twists or sagging loops
  • Wire plug is latched and cannot be pulled off by hand
  • Fill stops at the normal level during a rinse cycle
  • No water in the base after the test cycle

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Kinking the air hose A kinked hose blocks the pressure signal and the sensor never sees the water. Route it in a smooth curve.

Leaving water in the hose Water trapped in the hose gives a false high reading. Blow it clear before connecting it to the new sensor.

Mounting the sensor at the wrong angle The diaphragm is designed to sit in a specific orientation. Match the original position exactly.

Refitting the toe panel before testing You cannot see a small leak or a slow fill with the panel on. Test first, then close up.

Troubleshooting After Installation

Dishwasher still overfills The air hose is off or split, so the sensor sees no pressure. Check the hose at both ends and replace it if damaged.

Fill error or underfill after replacement The hose is kinked or has water in it, or the plug is not latched. Reroute the hose, blow it clear and reseat the plug.

Water in the base after the test The hose or a nearby connection is leaking. Dry the base, run a short fill and watch for the drip point.

Sensor clicks but nothing happens The wiring or control may be at fault rather than the sensor. Check the plug pins for corrosion and confirm the connector matches your photo.

Care Tips After the Repair

  • Clean the filter regularly so debris does not reach the sump chamber that feeds the sensor hose.
  • Run a descaling cycle in hard-water areas to keep the pressure chamber clear.
  • If the dishwasher ever floods the base, check the sensor hose for water before restarting.

Compatible Models (Sample)

This part is listed for 225 Bosch models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.

Repair Difficulty and Time

Difficulty: Moderate. Typical time: 30 to 60 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Bosch dishwashers use sensor 00499500?

It is listed for models such as SHI6806UC12, SHI6805UC11, SHI6805UC12, SHI6805UC06, SHI4306UC12 and SHU3305UC11. Confirm your model number on the label at the edge of the door.

How do I know the sensor is faulty?

Overfilling with a good fill valve, or a fill error with good water pressure and a clean inlet screen, points to the sensor. A blocked or wet hose gives the same symptoms, so check the hose first.

Do I need to pull the dishwasher out?

Usually not. The sensor is reachable through the toe panel opening on most of these models. Pull the unit out only if the sensor is mounted behind the sump.

Can I clean the old sensor instead?

You can clear the hose, but the sensor's diaphragm cannot be serviced. If the hose is clear and the symptoms remain, replace the sensor.

Final Checklist

  • Breaker off and water valve closed
  • Toe panel removed and base checked for water
  • Sensor located and hose and plug photographed
  • Hose and plug disconnected, old sensor removed
  • 00499500 mounted in the original orientation
  • Hose seated with clamp, routed without kinks, plug latched
  • Rinse cycle run with the panel off to check fill level and leaks
  • Toe panel refitted

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