Refrigerator shows E3; defrost cycles seem irregular, frost builds up on evaporator or freezer rear wall.
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 mains power before working inside the freezer or near wiring.
Access the evaporator area:
- Empty the freezer compartment and remove drawers and shelves.
- Unscrew and remove the rear interior panel to expose the evaporator coil and fan.
Inspect the defrost/evaporator sensor:
- Locate the small sensor clipped to the evaporator tubing or attached with a metal clip or plastic holder.
- Check for heavy ice buildup around the sensor, broken insulation, or corroded wires.
- Ensure the sensor is firmly attached to the coil; a loose sensor can misread temperature.
Defrost and test:
- If the evaporator is heavily iced, allow it to fully defrost (leave doors open, towels on floor). Do not chip ice with sharp tools.
- Once dry, inspect the sensor wiring for cracks or breaks.
- Optionally, test resistance with a multimeter; an open or shorted sensor must be replaced.
Replace if faulty:
- Install a Finlux-compatible evaporator/defrost NTC sensor in the same position on the coil.
- Secure wiring away from the fan and heater.
Reassemble and test: Refit the rear panel and shelves, restore power, and monitor for 24–48 hours. The E3 code should clear and frost buildup should reduce.
Note: If E3 remains, the main control PCB's defrost circuit may be defective and require professional replacement.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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