E20
Kenmore
Evaporator Coil Temperature Sensor Fault
Kenmore hybrid (heat pump) water heater displays E20 and runs only on electric elements
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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
Failed evaporator thermistor, loose sensor harness, sensor out of position on coil, control board sensor circuit failure
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn OFF power at the breaker. Heat pump sections contain refrigerant—do not open sealed refrigeration components.
- Access top cover: Remove screws securing the top heat pump cover and carefully lift it to access the evaporator coil and sensors.
- Locate sensor: Find the thermistor clipped to the evaporator coil tubing. Ensure it is firmly attached and not hanging loose.
- Inspect wiring: Check the harness from the sensor to the control board for damage or loose connectors. Reseat connectors.
- Test thermistor: Disconnect the sensor and measure resistance with a multimeter. Compare to the Kenmore service chart for the measured air temperature. Replace if open, shorted, or out of range.
- Replace sensor: Install a new evaporator temperature sensor / thermistor and clip it securely to the coil.
- Reassemble and test: Reinstall the top cover, restore power, and verify that E20 clears and the heat pump mode operates.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Evaporator Temperature Sensor
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