Display shows SEN or Sensor; freezer may not maintain correct temperature.
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the freezer before accessing the evaporator cover, liner, or control board. Sharp metal edges may be present; wear cut-resistant gloves.
- Step 1 – Power reset: Disconnect power for 5 minutes, then restore power to see if the SEN code clears. If it returns, continue.
- Step 2 – Locate thermistor: On most KitchenAid freezers, the thermistor is clipped to the evaporator cover or rear liner wall inside the freezer. Remove shelves and the rear interior panel if necessary.
- Step 3 – Inspect wiring: Check the thermistor leads for cuts, pinches, or corrosion at the connector. Reseat the connector firmly into the harness.
- Step 4 – Basic resistance check (if you have a meter): With the thermistor disconnected and still cold, measure its resistance. Typical values are 8–12 kΩ around 32°F (0°C). If it reads open (OL) or near 0 Ω, it is defective.
- Step 5 – Replace thermistor if suspect: Remove the old thermistor from its clip, install the new one in the same location, and reconnect the harness. Reinstall panels and restore power.
If a new thermistor does not clear the SEN code, the main control board may be misreading the sensor and should be evaluated or replaced by a technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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