Display shows E3 and the wine cooler may overcool or not cool at all; temperature reading may be inaccurate.
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 wine cooler before removing the control panel or top cover. Avoid static discharge when handling the control board.
Steps to address E3:
- Check installation environment: Ensure the cooler is not installed in direct sunlight, near ovens, or in unconditioned spaces outside the rated ambient temperature range. Extreme ambient conditions can trigger sensor-related errors.
- Access the control panel: Remove screws securing the top or front control panel (varies by Kenmore model). Carefully pull the panel forward to expose the wiring.
- Locate the ambient sensor: The ambient thermistor is often mounted near the control board or behind the display, with two small wires leading to the board.
- Inspect wiring and connector: Look for loose plugs, corrosion, or damaged insulation. Reseat the connector firmly on the control board.
- Test the sensor: Disconnect the sensor and measure resistance at room temperature. Compare to typical NTC values (around 5k–10k ohms at 77°F / 25°C). Replace if reading is open, shorted, or far out of range.
- Replace if needed: Install a new ambient temperature sensor (thermistor) designed for your Kenmore wine cooler. Route the wires away from sharp edges and hot components.
- Reassemble and test: Reinstall the control panel, restore power, and verify that E3 clears and the displayed temperature responds reasonably to room changes.
When to seek service: Persistent E3 with a known-good sensor suggests a defective main control board.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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