Magic Chef freezer displays E2 and may run continuously or not maintain proper 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 warning: Always disconnect power before accessing internal components. Sharp metal edges are present around the evaporator area.
Steps to diagnose and fix:
- Defrost the unit first: If there is heavy frost, unplug the freezer and leave the door open for several hours or use a hair dryer on low (kept moving and away from plastic) to melt ice around the evaporator cover. Do not chip ice with sharp tools.
- Access the evaporator area: Remove baskets and shelves. Unscrew and remove the rear interior panel to expose the evaporator coil and sensor.
- Locate the evaporator thermistor: It is usually clipped to the evaporator tubing or mounted on a bracket near the coil with two small wires leading to a harness.
- Inspect for damage: Look for broken insulation, corroded connectors, or a sensor that has come loose from the coil.
- Test the sensor: With the freezer still unplugged, disconnect the thermistor and measure resistance with a multimeter. At around 32°F (0°C), many NTC sensors will read roughly 15k–30kΩ (consult the tech sheet if available). An open or shorted reading indicates failure.
- Check wiring to the control board: Follow the harness to where it plugs into the main control board (often in a control box at the top or rear). Ensure the connector is fully seated and not corroded.
- Replace the evaporator thermistor if defective: Clip the new sensor in the same location on the coil, route the wires along the original path, and secure them with zip ties away from sharp fins.
- Reassemble and test: Reinstall the evaporator cover and shelves, plug the unit back in, and monitor for several hours. The E2 code should clear once the board sees a valid sensor signal.
Note: If E2 persists with a known-good sensor and wiring, the main control board is likely faulty.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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