Red light blinks 4 times, will only cycle once

A shorted heating element.

Link below has wiring diagrams and wiring manuals for 240V 8145-20
http://waterheatertimer.org/Paragon-timers-and-manuals.html#defrost

I am not expert installing defrost timers.
According to information from Paragon, 8145 is for hot gas defrosting. 8140 series are time initiated, and pressure-or-temperature terminated.
Wiring diagram does not show compressor wired to timer.

The cycle works like this:
Timer is running but defrost is not switched ON.
Fan is ON.
Timer switches ON and activates defrost cycle.
Fan turns OFF. Hot gas valve turns ON for defrosting.
Cycle limit switch is temperature or pressure sensitive.
Cycle limit switch reaches trip point, timer switches OFF.
Hot gas valve turns OFF. Fan turns ON.
So fan is off during defrost cycle.
Hot gas valve turns ON when timer switches ON.
Timer is switched OFF by pressure-or-temperature limit switch.

See wiring diagrams and manuals at following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Paragon-timers-and-manuals.html#defrost

8145-20 is 240V time initiated, pressure or temperature terminated with back-up time termination.
8045-20 is 240V time initiated, time terminated.

So 8145-20 has pressure or temperature limit switch that connects to terminal X that turns timer off, and ends defrost cycle. This timer is for hot gas defroster that has pressure/temperature limits. Check and see what the back-up time termination is set at on 8145-20. Look at small inner dial.

The 8045-20 timer does not use pressure/temperature limit switch, and instead you have to estimate length of time you want defrost cycle to run, and set inner dial to that time. Use same time as back-up time termination on 8145-20. Of course the pressure/temperature limits would not be exact and defrost cycle might not work correctly.

Here's the change-over wiring from 8145-20 to 8045-20.
There are other wiring variants depending on equipment.
240V hot wires from breaker box are L1 and L2
a) 8145-20 L1 is at terminal 1 > move L1 to terminal N on 8045-20
8145-20 L2 is at terminal N > move L2 to terminal X on 8045-20

b) 8145-20 hot gas defroster is at NO terminal 3 > move defroster to NO terminal 3 on 8045-20
Complete the 240 circuit to defroster by connecting to L2 at terminal X

c) 8145-20 refrigeration is at NC terminal 4 > move refrigeration to NC terminal 4 on 8045-20
Complete the 240 circuit to refrigeration by connecting to L2 at terminal X

in all cycle with seven min left washer, m-c45092 stop and door open no spin cycle. pete.

It sounds more likely that your fan is not pushing enough air across the heat exchanger. If you have a multi-speed fan, I would suggest increasing the blower speed. Otherwise you will continue to cycle on and off on the high limit. Also make sure that you do not have any return or supply vents blocked off, as this often times will cause the same problem. Hope this helps.

SHU 53 MODELS To start test program, press and hold both SCRUB WASH and DELICATE/ECONO program buttons, then turn unit on by pressing ON/OFF button. Initially, control module version # will be displayed (e.g./ ?21? = version 1 with jumper). When wash program buttons are released, lights above them will flash. To end test program, press ON/OFF button. To check each program indicator light, press its button. To check Cycle Countdown display, Refill Rinse Agent light and REGULAR WASH light, press REGULAR WASH button (press Delay Start button to test Cycle Countdown display alone). Cycle Countdown display will show ?88″ when REGULAR WASH button is pressed and ?8h? when Delay Start button is pressed. To start testing, press both the SCRUB WASH and DELICATE/ECONO buttons a second time. When testing has ended, Cycle Countdown display will show a fault using codes below. If more than one fault occurs, code numbers will be added together, (e.g./ ?6? = faults 2 + 4). 0 = No faults detected 2 = Heating fault 8 = NTC (temperature sensor) fault 1 = Aqua Sensor (?Sensotronic?) fault 4 = Filling fault F = Filling fault (display occurs during wash, not test) To check for heater, high limit or flow switch problems, start testing until heating starts. Using a meter with a current coil, measure current going into dishwasher. If current is ~ 11 A, then heater, high limit and flow switch are OK. If current stays at ~ 1.5-2 A, then heater, high limit or flow switch are faulty. If water level switch (f1) has failed (opened), display will show fault code ?4″ and unit will continually fill and drain where testing won?t be completed. If flow switch (e5) has failed (opened), display will show ?0″, water won?t heat (to 150?F) and water won?t stop circulating. If NTC probe (f2/f4) has failed (opened), display will show fault code ?8″ immediately and testing will end shortly after water has started circulating.

BAD CONTROL BOARD TO TEST TO SEE IF THIS IS THE ISSUE RUN TEST PROGRAM
To start test program, press and hold both SCRUB WASH and DELICATE/ECONO program buttons, then turn unit on by
pressing ON/OFF button. Initially, control module version # will be displayed (e.g./ “20” = version 0 without jumper). When
wash program buttons are released, lights above them will flash. To end test program, press ON/OFF button.
To check each program indicator light, press its button. To check Cycle Countdown display, Refill Rinse Agent light and
REGULAR WASH light, press REGULAR WASH button (press Delay Start button to test Cycle Countdown display
alone). Cycle Countdown display will show "88" when REGULAR WASH button is pressed and "8h" when Delay Start
button is pressed.
To start testing, press both SCRUB WASH and DELICATE/ECONO buttons a second time. When testing has ended,
Cycle Countdown display will show a fault using codes below. If more than one fault occurs, code numbers will be added
together, (e.g./ “6” = faults 2 + 4).
0 = No faults detected 2 = Heating fault 8 = NTC (temperature sensor) fault
1 = Aqua Sensor ("Sensotronic") fault 4 = Filling fault F = Filling fault (display occurs during wash, not test)
To check for heater, high limit or flow switch problems, start testing until heating starts. Using a meter with a current coil,
measure current going into dishwasher. If current is ~ 11 A, then heater, high limit and flow switch are OK. If current stays
at ~ 1.5-2 A, then heater, high limit or flow switch are faulty.
If water level switch (f1) has failed (opened), display will show fault code "4" and unit will continually fill and drain where
testing won't be completed. If flow switch (e5) has failed (opened), display will show "0", water won't heat (to 150ºF) and
water won’t stop circulating. If NTC probe (f2/f4) has failed (opened), display will show fault code "8" immediately and
testing will end shortly after water has started circulating

I recently solved the very same problem on my tribute. I really needed a tune up, Plugs, fuel filter, pcv valve, cleaned throttle body, and mass air flow sensor.My problem went away, and engine runs great and idles perfect.. If you havent had a tune up recently maybe this will help you.

Defrost termination is not working it should be terminating on temp. its terminating on time if it is a small blast freezer their is a high limit switch not opening. if you can adjust the time average defrost time 25-40 minutes try decreasing by 5 minutes no less than 20 minutes you will need to make sure that the coil clears after defrost.

“E2” flashes if the thermistor has shorted.

The thermistor monitors the exhaust temperature
and cycles the high-limit thermostat on
and off to maintain the desired temperature.
1. Turn the dryer off but keep the electrical
supply connected.
2. Make sure that the dryer is empty and that
the lint screen is clean.
3. Close the dryer door.
4. Select Heavy Duty, Timed Dry, More Time
or Less Time, End of Cycle Signal (Louder)
and Start.
5. If error codes E1 or E2 flash on the display
after 1 minute and the dryer turns off,
the thermistor, or the wire harness, is either
shorted or open. Check the wire connections
at the thermistor or the machine
control electronics board. If wiring checks
okay, replace the thermistor.
6. If the dryer seems to operate normally, remove
the exhaust vent and start the dryer.
7. Select the desired temperature cycle to be
tested, and select 20 minutes of Timed Dry
heat using the More Time or Less Time
pushbuttons.