Kenmore freestanding ice maker displays E1 and stops making ice; unit may still power on but compressor and fan do not run.

Safety First: Unplug the ice maker from the wall outlet before removing any panels. Water and electricity are present—avoid shock risk.

• Access the evaporator thermistor: Remove the rear or side service panel (depending on model). Locate the evaporator coil inside the freezing compartment; the thermistor is usually a small, bullet-shaped sensor clipped to the evaporator tubing with two wires leading to the control board.
• Inspect the sensor and wiring: Check for broken insulation, corroded connectors, or a sensor that has come loose from the evaporator. Reseat the connector at both the thermistor and the control board.
• Test the thermistor: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the thermistor and measure resistance with a multimeter. Compare the reading to the service chart for your Kenmore model (commonly 5–15 kΩ at room temperature). If it reads open (OL) or near 0 Ω, the thermistor is defective.
• Replace if faulty: If readings are out of spec, install a new OEM evaporator thermistor. Clip it firmly to the evaporator tubing in the same location and route the wires away from sharp edges and moving parts.
• Reset the control: After reassembly, plug the unit back in. Some Kenmore ice makers clear E1 automatically after a successful cool-down cycle; others may require holding the power or clean button for 5–10 seconds to reset (check your user manual).