F3
Westinghouse
Outdoor Ambient Sensor Out of Range (Alternate Code Set)
Display shows F3 and outdoor unit may not start or may shut down quickly.
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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
Aged or water-intruded thermistor, loose mounting, wiring damage, outdoor PCB sensor input failure
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn off power at the outdoor disconnect before removing panels.
Steps:
- Locate sensor: Find the outdoor ambient sensor near the air intake or on the coil frame.
- Check exposure: Ensure it is not directly in hot discharge air or direct sunlight, which can skew readings.
- Inspect and reseat: Check the connector and wiring, then reseat the plug on the PCB.
- Replace sensor: If the sensor housing is cracked or readings are erratic, install a new Westinghouse outdoor ambient thermistor.
- PCB check: If F3 persists, the outdoor PCB may be defective and should be replaced by a technician.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Outdoor Ambient Thermistor
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