Digital Proctor Silex coffee maker displays E3 and will not heat water.

Safety first: Unplug the coffee maker and allow it to cool completely. Do not work on the unit while it is connected to power.

• Visual inspection: Remove the bottom cover. Locate the aluminum heater tube and its two main terminals. Check for loose or disconnected spade connectors and signs of burning or melting.
• Tighten connections: If any spade connector is loose, remove it, clean the terminal with a dry cloth, and firmly reseat it. Do not bend or crack the terminals.
• Continuity test (advanced): With a multimeter set to ohms, test across the two heater terminals. A typical reading is between 10–40 Ω. If the circuit is open (infinite resistance), the heating element has failed.
• Inspect control board: If the heater tests good, inspect the main control PCB for a burned heater relay or cracked solder joints at the relay pins. Reflowing solder or replacing the relay is an advanced repair.
• Resolution: If the heater is open, the heater assembly must be replaced. On many Proctor Silex models, this is integrated and not cost-effective to repair; replacement of the entire coffee maker may be more practical.