Dehumidifier display shows E3 and compressor will not engage

Safety: Unplug the dehumidifier before servicing. Avoid touching the control board with wet hands.

Steps:

• Power cycle: Unplug for 5 minutes, then reconnect. If E3 returns, continue.
• Locate humidity sensor: On many Sunbeam dehumidifiers, the humidity sensor is mounted behind the front grille near the air intake or integrated into a small plastic housing with vents, connected to the main PCB by a small multi-wire harness.
• Visual inspection: Remove the front grille. Look for a small sensor module with slotted openings. Check for dust buildup, corrosion, or broken wires.
• Clean the sensor: Gently blow off dust with compressed air. If accessible, lightly clean the sensor housing exterior with a dry, soft brush. Do not soak the sensor or use liquid cleaners directly on the sensing element.
• Check connections: Ensure the humidity sensor plug is fully seated on the control board. Reseat the connector by unplugging and plugging it back in.
• Functional test: If you have a multimeter and the service manual, you can verify the sensor output voltage or resistance changes when humidity changes (e.g., breathe gently near the intake and watch for change). If there is no change or the reading is out of spec, the sensor is likely bad.
• Replace the humidity sensor: Install a new humidity sensor assembly specified for your Sunbeam model. Mount it in the same location and orientation to ensure accurate readings.
• Control board consideration: If a new sensor does not clear E3, the main control board may have a failed humidity sensing circuit and will need replacement.