Er4
Napoleon Auger Motor Circuit Failure

Display shows Er4 and grill stops feeding pellets or shuts down

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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

Failed auger motor, Jammed auger preventing rotation, Loose auger motor connector at control board, Damaged auger motor wiring harness

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn OFF, unplug the grill, and empty hot pellets from the fire pot after cooling. Do not work on the auger while it is powered.

Steps:

  • Check for jam: Remove pellets from the hopper. With the grill unplugged, attempt to rotate the auger by hand from the motor end (if accessible) or gently with pliers on the auger shaft. If it will not move, there may be a pellet jam or foreign object.
  • Clear the auger: Remove the auger motor mounting bolts and slide the motor off the shaft. Pull the auger out of the tube. Clear compacted pellets, sawdust, or debris. Clean the tube thoroughly and lightly sand any rust spots.
  • Inspect motor and wiring: Check the auger motor for burnt smell, seized shaft, or melted insulation. Inspect the wiring harness from motor to control board for cuts or burns. Ensure connectors are tight.
  • Bench test (if possible): With appropriate precautions, the auger motor can be briefly powered with the correct AC voltage to confirm operation. If it hums but does not turn, or does not run at all, replace the motor.
  • Reassemble: Reinstall the auger into the tube, ensuring it spins freely. Reattach the motor, secure wiring away from hot surfaces, refill the hopper, and test operation.

Note: If Er4 persists with a free-spinning auger and a known-good motor, the control board output may be faulty and should be evaluated by a technician.

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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Auger Motor
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