E1
Danby Room Temperature Sensor (Ambient Thermistor) Fault

Unit will not run, display shows E1 shortly after power-up or when trying to change modes.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Open or shorted ambient thermistor, Loose thermistor connector on main PCB, Damaged thermistor wiring harness, Failed main control board sensor circuit

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the Danby air conditioner from the wall outlet before removing any covers. Capacitors can hold a charge; avoid touching exposed terminals.

Steps to check the room temperature sensor:

  • 1. Power reset: Unplug the unit for 5 minutes, then plug back in and try again. Sometimes E1 can be a transient logic error.
  • 2. Access the control area: Remove the front grille and the control panel cover (usually a few Phillips screws). Carefully lift the panel to expose the main PCB and sensor wiring.
  • 3. Locate the ambient thermistor: On Danby units this is typically a small bead or bullet-style sensor near the air intake grille, connected by two thin wires to the main board.
  • 4. Check connections: Ensure the thermistor plug is fully seated on the PCB and that the wires are not pinched, cut, or corroded. Reseat the connector several times to clean contacts.
  • 5. Test resistance: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the thermistor and measure its resistance with a multimeter. At room temperature (~25°C / 77°F) most Danby NTC sensors read between 5k–20k ohms. If it reads open (OL) or near 0 ohms, it is defective.
  • 6. Replace if faulty: If the sensor is out of spec, replace it with a Danby-compatible ambient thermistor (match part by model number). Route the new sensor in the same location and secure it away from the evaporator coil.
  • 7. If sensor tests good: The fault may be on the main PCB sensor circuit. Inspect the board for burn marks or corrosion. If present, replace the main control board.

If you are not comfortable using a multimeter or working around electrical components, contact a qualified technician.

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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Ambient Thermistor (Room Temperature Sensor)
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