E3
Tower
Ambient Temperature Sensor Failure
Unit powers on but shows E3 and will not start ice making.
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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.
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Possible Causes
Defective ambient NTC sensor near air intake, sensor wiring open or shorted, connector corrosion, failed control PCB input channel
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Unplug the Tower ice maker before inspection.
- Locate ambient sensor: Remove the rear panel. Look for a small sensor mounted near the air intake grille or condenser coil, connected by two thin wires to the control board.
- Visual inspection: Check if the sensor is broken, melted, or covered in heavy dust. Clean gently with a soft brush if dirty.
- Check wiring and connector: Ensure the harness is not pinched by the cabinet and that the connector is fully seated on the PCB. Look for green/white corrosion on pins.
- Test resistance: Disconnect the sensor and measure resistance at room temperature. Compare to Tower’s NTC chart. Replace the sensor if the reading is far out of range or unstable when gently moved.
- Replace control PCB if needed: If the sensor and wiring are good but E3 persists, the main control PCB is likely faulty and should be replaced.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Ambient NTC Temperature Sensor
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