Wine cooler shows E3 and interior light and fan may work, but compressor does not start or cycles erratically.
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: Unplug the appliance before removing the control panel or top trim.
Steps to troubleshoot:
- Locate the ambient sensor: On many Fagor wine coolers, the ambient sensor is located near the front control panel or behind the top grille, sensing room temperature.
- Remove the control panel bezel: Carefully pry off the plastic trim (if applicable) and remove screws securing the control panel. Gently pull it forward to access the wiring.
- Identify the sensor connector: Look for a small two-wire harness labeled "AMB" or similar on the main PCB. Follow it to the sensor.
- Inspect and reseat: Disconnect and reconnect the sensor plug several times to clean contacts. Check for pinched or cut wires.
- Test resistance: With the unit unplugged, measure the sensor resistance at room temperature. Compare to expected NTC values (often 5–10 kΩ at 25°C). Replace if open, shorted, or far out of range.
- Replace the ambient sensor: Install a new Fagor ambient NTC sensor if faulty, routing the harness away from hot components and sharp edges.
- If E3 persists: The main control board may not be interpreting the sensor correctly. Replace the main PCB.
Tip: An incorrect ambient reading can cause the unit to shut down in cold rooms; ensure the cooler is installed within the specified ambient temperature range.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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