E3
Costway Ambient (Room) Temperature Sensor Failure

Wine cooler shows E3 and may not maintain the set temperature; compressor or fans may cycle abnormally.

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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

Defective ambient NTC sensor, Sensor dislodged from its mounting location, Damaged sensor harness near cabinet rear, Failed ambient sensor input on main control board

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Unplug the cooler before inspection. Do not operate with covers removed.

How to troubleshoot:

  • Check installation environment: Ensure the cooler is not installed in direct sunlight, near ovens, or in unventilated cabinets. Extreme ambient temperatures can confuse the control, though they usually do not trigger E3 alone.
  • Locate the ambient sensor: On many Costway models, the ambient sensor is near the rear grille or air intake, sometimes taped to the back of the cabinet or near the condenser coil.
  • Inspect wiring and mounting: Confirm the sensor is firmly attached and not dangling. Look for broken insulation or pulled connectors. Reseat the connector on the control board.
  • Test the sensor: With a multimeter, measure resistance at room temperature. Compare to known-good NTC values or to another sensor if identical. Replace if open, shorted, or far out of expected range.
  • Replace the ambient sensor: Install a new ambient NTC temperature sensor and secure it in the original location so it accurately senses room temperature.
  • Control board check: If E3 persists with a new sensor, the main control board may need replacement.
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Repair Difficulty

Medium 3/5

Required Part

Ambient NTC Temperature Sensor
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