Display shows E3 and the refrigerator may run continuously or not defrost properly.
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: Disconnect the appliance from mains before accessing the evaporator area.
Accessing the evaporator sensor:
- Empty the affected compartment (usually freezer) and remove drawers and shelves.
- Remove the rear inner panel to expose the evaporator coil. If it is heavily iced, allow it to defrost fully with the unit unplugged and doors open (this may take several hours).
- Locate the small sensor clipped to the evaporator tubing or nearby bracket.
Check and replace:
- Inspect the sensor and wiring for damage, corrosion, or broken insulation.
- Disconnect the sensor and measure resistance with a multimeter. Compare to expected NTC values; 0 Ω or infinite indicates a bad sensor.
- Install a new evaporator sensor if faulty, clipping it in the same position on the coil and routing the cable away from sharp edges.
- Reseat the connector at the main control board.
After reassembly: Refit the rear panel, shelves, and drawers. Restore power and monitor operation for several hours. If E3 returns, the main control board may be defective and require professional replacement.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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