E4
Brandt Defrost Sensor or Defrost Circuit Failure

Display shows E4 and the unit may not defrost properly, leading to ice buildup on the evaporator.

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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

Defrost NTC sensor failure, Open defrost heater, Faulty defrost relay on PCB, Damaged wiring in defrost circuit

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Disconnect power before working near the evaporator or heater. Risk of electric shock and sharp edges.

Steps to diagnose E4 defrost issues:

  • 1. Manually defrost: Turn off the cooler and leave the door open until all ice on the evaporator melts. Place towels to absorb water. Do not use heat guns or open flames.
  • 2. Access evaporator and defrost components: Remove interior shelves and the rear inner panel. Identify the evaporator coil, defrost heater (usually a tube or wire element at the base of the coil), and defrost sensor clipped to the coil.
  • 3. Check defrost sensor: Disconnect the defrost NTC and measure resistance at around 0–5°C (place the sensor in ice water). Compare to Brandt's NTC chart. Replace if readings are out of range or intermittent.
  • 4. Test defrost heater: With the unit unplugged, measure resistance across the heater terminals. A typical heater will show a few tens of ohms. Infinite resistance indicates an open heater that must be replaced.
  • 5. Inspect wiring and connectors: Look for burnt connectors, brittle insulation, or loose plugs between the heater, sensor, and main PCB. Repair or replace as needed.
  • 6. Control board check: If both heater and sensor test good, the defrost relay or triac on the main control board may be faulty. This usually requires PCB replacement.
  • 7. Reassemble and test: Refit the evaporator cover and shelves, restore power, and monitor operation over 24 hours. The E4 code should not reappear if the defrost system is functioning correctly.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Defrost Sensor / Defrost Heater
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