Display shows E3 and the refrigerator runs continuously or not at all, with poor temperature control.

Safety first: Unplug the refrigerator before accessing the freezer evaporator area.

Steps:

• Empty and access: Remove freezer drawers/shelves. Take off the rear interior panel to expose the evaporator coil and fan.
• Locate the evaporator thermistor: On Magic Chef units, this is usually a small plastic-encased sensor clipped to the evaporator tubing or mounted near the top of the coil.
• Check placement: Ensure the thermistor is firmly clipped to the coil or in its bracket. A sensor hanging loose can cause E3 and defrost issues. Re-clip it securely.
• Inspect wiring: Look for brittle, cracked, or ice-damaged wires. Repair any obvious breaks using appropriate connectors and heat-shrink, or replace the harness if badly damaged.
• Test and replace: If you have a multimeter, test resistance at a known temperature (e.g., ice water). If readings are open, shorted, or far off spec, replace the evaporator thermistor with a Magic Chef-compatible part.
• Reassemble and test: Reinstall the panel and shelves, restore power, and allow a full cooling cycle. The E3 code should clear once the control receives valid sensor data.

Warning: Do not use sharp tools to remove ice from the evaporator; you can puncture the refrigerant lines.