Thermostat displays E1 and will not control heating or cooling
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: Turn off power to the HVAC system at the breaker before removing the thermostat from the wall plate.
Steps to troubleshoot:
- 1. Power cycle: Turn the HVAC breaker off for 60 seconds, then back on. If E1 clears temporarily but returns, continue below.
- 2. Remove thermostat from wall plate: Gently pull the Resideo thermostat straight off the wall plate to expose the wiring and terminals.
- 3. Check for remote sensor: If your model supports a remote indoor sensor (e.g., Resideo C7189U1005), locate the sensor wires on the S1/S2 or similar terminals. Ensure both wires are firmly clamped and not broken.
- 4. Inspect wiring: Look for cuts, staples through the cable, or corrosion on the sensor wires. Tighten any loose terminal screws.
- 5. Test sensor resistance: With power still off, disconnect the sensor wires and measure resistance across the sensor with a multimeter. Compare to the Resideo temperature/resistance chart in the installation manual. An open (infinite) reading indicates a failed sensor.
- 6. Bypass test: Temporarily connect a known-good Resideo indoor sensor or a resistor of the correct value across the sensor terminals. If E1 clears, the original sensor or its wiring is faulty.
- 7. Replace failed component: Replace the remote indoor sensor or the thermostat (if the internal sensor is open) following the Resideo installation guide.
When to call a professional: If you are not comfortable using a multimeter or the E1 code persists after sensor replacement, contact a licensed HVAC technician or Resideo support.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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