Wine cooler runs but does not cool properly; temperature rises above setpoint and display may flash E1.
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 first: Unplug the wine cooler from the mains before removing any panels. Do not work on live circuits.
Steps to check and fix:
- 1. Power reset: Unplug the unit for 5–10 minutes, then plug back in. If E1 returns, continue with diagnosis.
- 2. Locate the cabinet sensor: On La Sommeliere wine coolers, the cabinet NTC is usually clipped to the evaporator cover or mounted behind the inner rear wall near the middle of the compartment. Remove the internal shelves and the rear plastic panel (if present).
- 3. Inspect wiring and connector: Look for a small probe with two thin wires going to a plug on the main control board. Check for corrosion, loose connection, or damaged insulation. Reseat the connector firmly.
- 4. Test the sensor: Using a multimeter set to resistance (kΩ), measure the NTC at room temperature (around 20–25°C). Typical NTCs used by La Sommeliere are 5k–10kΩ at 25°C. If the reading is open (infinite) or near 0Ω, the sensor is faulty.
- 5. Compare to spec: If you have the service sheet, compare measured resistance to the temperature/resistance chart. A large deviation indicates a bad sensor.
- 6. Replace the sensor: If faulty, order a compatible La Sommeliere cabinet NTC temperature sensor. Route the new sensor along the original path, avoiding sharp bends and contact with moving parts. Plug it into the same connector on the PCB.
- 7. Reassemble and test: Refit the rear panel and shelves, restore power, and set a temperature. Monitor for several hours to confirm that E1 does not reappear and that the unit cools correctly.
When to call a technician: If the sensor tests good but E1 persists, the main control board may be defective and should be diagnosed or replaced by a qualified technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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