GE dryer will not start; display shows E3 shortly after pressing Start.

Safety first: Unplug the dryer or switch off the breaker before any disassembly. Gas dryers: also shut off the gas supply.

Steps to check the thermistor:

• Remove the rear panel (on most GE models) to access the exhaust duct area where the thermistor is mounted near the blower housing or exhaust outlet.
• Locate the small sensor with two wires (often labeled as the outlet thermistor or temperature sensor).
• Disconnect the wires and measure resistance with a multimeter. At room temperature (~70°F / 21°C), most GE dryer thermistors should read around 10–15 kΩ (check your tech sheet for exact spec).
• If the reading is open (OL), near 0 Ω, or far outside spec, replace the thermistor.
• Inspect the wiring harness from the thermistor back to the main control board for pinched, burned, or broken wires. Repair or replace as needed.
• Reassemble, restore power, and run a timed dry cycle to test.

If E3 persists after replacing the thermistor and verifying wiring: the main control board temperature sensing circuit may be defective and should be replaced by a qualified technician.