Error codes are almost always useful to retrieve when you're troubleshooting a computer-controlled appliance, but some are easier to read than others. Sometimes, you have to do a bit of work to decipher what the appliance is saying.

That's the case with this Maytag washer. When you look at the list of error codes, they look like pretty normal two-part codes: F followed by a number, then E followed by another number.

However, this machine doesn't have a segmented LED display. Instead, it just has a row of lights. And so it displays the codes by blinking lights in binary.

That's a lot of info! If you dabble in computer nerdity like myself, then you're probably already familiar with binary and can tell what this table is saying. But for those who have more social life than me, let me help break this down. We'll go column by column.

The first column tells us that we're going to see a series of "frames" -- that just means that the display is going to show one thing in one moment, and then a different thing in the next moment. This column is numbering those slices of time so we can make sense of them.

In frame 1, some of the lights are going to be on -- the next column over shows exactly which ones. In frame 2, all the lights will go off. Frame 3, more lights. You get the idea.

This column is the meat of it. The display is comprised of a row of 6 LEDs, but only the first 5 are used for error code display.

Start with frame 1. It's showing that, if LED 1 is illuminated, that means it's showing the F portion of the code. For LEDs 2-5, each one corresponds to a number. LED 2 = 8, LED 3 = 4, etc. All you have to do is add together the numerical values associated with the illuminated LEDs. In the case of frame 1, only LED 4 is illuminated. so that means this frame is showing "F2", as the next column confirms

Frame 3 works the same way. Since LED 1 is off, that means it's the E portion of the code. Then you have LEDs 3 and 5 illuminated, which correspond to 4 and 1, respectively. 4+1=5 (wow, there's some higher math for you!), so this translates to "E5".

It's really that easy! LED 1 tells you if it's F or E, and then you add together the corresponding values of LEDs 2-5 to get the numerical part of the code.

And just to demystify the final column: this is telling you how long this frame will be displayed. So the F portion of the code will show for half a second, then everything goes dark for half a second, then the E portion for half a second, and finally a full second pause before the whole thing repeats.

Simple stuff once you break it down, but this is the kind of stuff that can slow down your troubleshooting if you're not familiar with it. Now that you're fluent in binary, get out these and read some codes!

Want to get in on the action? Join the Brotherhood of Techs at Appliantology.

• Appliantology.org is a cultivated, private community of techs.
• Get solid tech advice from working, professional techs and business owners.
• Avoid the endless noise and guesswork thrown at you from groups on social media.
• Download the service manuals, tech sheets, and service bulletins you need to git 'er done.

Join the Brethren in the Craft right now with our membership options at Appliantology and see how it can help you in your business starting today.