Kenmore freezer shows E2 and may not defrost properly; frost buildup on evaporator or poor cooling.

Safety first: Disconnect power before accessing the evaporator compartment. Sharp metal edges and ice can cause injury.

Steps to address E2:

• 1. Access the evaporator area: Empty the freezer section as needed. Remove the rear interior panel to expose the evaporator coil and fan assembly.
• 2. Locate the evaporator thermistor: It is typically clipped to the evaporator tubing or mounted on the evaporator bracket with two wires leading back to the control board.
• 3. Visual inspection: Look for broken wires, cracked sensor body, or corrosion at the connector. Ice buildup around the sensor can also cause intermittent readings.
• 4. Test resistance: With the freezer unplugged, disconnect the thermistor and measure resistance. Compare to the service chart if available; as a rule, resistance should be higher at colder temperatures. If it reads open or shorted, it is defective.
• 5. Replace the thermistor: If faulty, unclip the old sensor, install the new Kenmore-compatible evaporator thermistor, and route the wiring along the original path, securing it away from the fan blade.
• 6. Clear heavy frost: If the evaporator is heavily iced, allow it to fully defrost (use towels and a pan for water; do not chip ice with sharp tools). This prevents immediate re-icing.
• 7. Reassemble and test: Reinstall the rear panel, restore power, and monitor operation for several hours. E2 should clear and frost buildup should reduce over the next 24–48 hours.

Note: If the thermistor tests good, the issue may be with the main control board or defrost circuit, which is best evaluated by a technician.