Display shows E3; ice maker stops mid-cycle or never completes harvest
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 unit before cleaning or removing panels. Do not attempt to tap into the sealed refrigeration system unless you are EPA-certified.
- Step 1 – Clean condenser coil: Pull the unit forward, remove the lower front grille, and use a soft brush and vacuum to remove dust and lint from the condenser coil. Ensure the condenser fan spins freely.
- Step 2 – Check ventilation: Verify that the ice maker has proper clearance per Viking specs and that cabinet vents are not blocked. Overheating can cause long freeze times and E3 errors.
- Step 3 – Inspect evaporator plate: With the front panel removed and power restored, observe a cycle. The evaporator plate should frost evenly. Heavy frost only at the inlet or no frost suggests a sealed system issue.
- Step 4 – Verify evaporator thermistor: If your model uses a thermistor for freeze timing, test it as in the E1 procedure. Replace if out of spec.
- Step 5 – Technician-only sealed system work: If the compressor is running but the evaporator does not frost properly, or if you hear hissing/gurgling and see oil stains on tubing, the unit may have a refrigerant leak or weak compressor. This requires a professional technician to recover refrigerant, repair leaks, evacuate, and recharge to Viking specifications.
After cleaning and any sensor replacement, clear the code by power cycling and monitor a full cycle to ensure the E3 fault does not return.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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