SH
Frigidaire
Shorted Temperature Sensor (Thermistor) Circuit
Refrigerator displays SH for one of the temperature readings; cooling may be erratic or unit may short cycle.
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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
Shorted thermistor, Moisture intrusion into sensor, Pinched or shorted thermistor wiring, Faulty main control board input
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the refrigerator before testing or replacing sensors.
Steps to address SH code:
- 1. Determine affected zone: Use the display or tech sheet to see whether the fresh food, freezer, or ambient sensor is reporting SH.
- 2. Access the thermistor: Remove the interior cover or evaporator cover to reach the sensor. Carefully pull it out without damaging the foam insulation.
- 3. Inspect wiring: Look for crushed or bare wires that could be touching metal and causing a short.
- 4. Measure resistance: At room temperature, disconnect the thermistor and measure resistance with a multimeter. A very low resistance (near 0 Ω) indicates a shorted sensor.
- 5. Replace the sensor: Install a new thermistor, routing the wires exactly as the original to avoid pinching when panels are reinstalled.
- 6. Check control board if needed: If the new sensor tests correctly but the SH code persists, the main control board input may be shorted and require replacement.
Allow the refrigerator several hours after repair to normalize temperatures.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Freezer Thermistor
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