Ice maker stops shortly after start, beeps, and displays E1 on the control panel.
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 Sencor ice maker from the mains before opening any panels. Do not work on the unit while it is connected to power.
Step-by-step checks:
- Power-cycle the unit: Unplug for 10 minutes, then plug back in and restart. If E1 clears temporarily and returns, continue with hardware checks.
- Inspect the sensor wiring: Remove the rear or side service panel (depending on model). Locate the small NTC temperature sensor clipped to or near the evaporator plate or ice-making tray. Follow its thin wires back to the main PCB. Check for cuts, pinches, or melted insulation.
- Check the sensor connection: Gently unplug and re-seat the sensor connector on the control board. Look for corrosion or bent pins. Clean light oxidation with contact cleaner and a soft brush.
- Measure sensor resistance: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the sensor and measure resistance with a multimeter. Typical NTC sensors read between 5–50 kΩ at room temperature (exact value varies by model). An open circuit (OL) or 0 Ω indicates a failed sensor.
- Test continuity of harness: If the sensor measures correctly, check continuity from the sensor connector to the PCB connector to rule out a broken wire.
- Replace faulty parts: If the sensor is out of spec or open, replace the NTC temperature sensor. If wiring and sensor are good but E1 persists, the main control board may be defective and should be replaced or inspected by a technician.
When to call a professional: If you are not comfortable using a multimeter or accessing the PCB, contact an authorized Sencor service center.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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