Control panel displays E2 and the smoker overheats or shuts down shortly after starting; temperature reading may be erratic or extremely high.

Safety first: Unplug the smoker and let it cool completely. Do not operate the smoker while it is showing E2 and overheating.

Inspection steps:

• Clean the temperature probe: Inside the cook chamber, locate the temperature probe. If it is heavily coated with grease, carbon, or sauce, clean it with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then dry thoroughly. Grease buildup can cause false high readings.
• Check for moisture: Inspect the area where the probe passes through the cabinet. If there is water or condensation around the probe or wiring, dry it completely and allow the smoker to air out.
• Inspect wiring for shorts: Remove the rear access panel. Follow the RTD sensor wires and look for melted insulation, bare wires touching each other, or wires touching the metal cabinet. Separate any touching conductors and wrap with high-temperature electrical tape if insulation is damaged.
• Check the connector: At the control board, unplug the RTD connector. Look for moisture, corrosion, or bent pins. Clean gently and reconnect firmly.
• Test the sensor: With the RTD disconnected, use a multimeter to measure resistance across the sensor leads. A reading near 0 ohms indicates a shorted sensor. Replace the sensor if shorted.

Next steps: If cleaning and wiring inspection do not clear the E2 code, replace the RTD temperature sensor probe. If a new sensor still results in E2, the main control board may have an internal fault and should be replaced.