Wine cooler displays E1 and stops cooling or runs continuously without reaching set temperature.
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 panels or touching wiring. Do not work on live circuits.
Steps to check and address E1:
- Power reset: Disconnect power for 5–10 minutes, then reconnect. If E1 clears temporarily and returns, the sensor or wiring is likely faulty.
- Locate the cabinet sensor: On most SMEG wine coolers, the cabinet NTC sensor is clipped to the evaporator cover or mounted on the rear interior wall behind a small plastic cover. Remove interior shelves and the rear plastic panel if necessary.
- Inspect wiring: Check the thin sensor wires from the sensor to the top or rear of the cabinet. Look for cuts, pinches from shelves, or rodent damage. Ensure the connector is firmly seated on the main control PCB.
- Test the sensor: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the sensor from the board and measure resistance with a multimeter. At around 20°C, most SMEG NTC sensors read roughly 5–10 kΩ (check service documentation if available). If the reading is open (infinite) or shorted (near 0 Ω), the sensor is defective.
- Replace the sensor: If faulty, order a compatible SMEG cabinet NTC temperature sensor for your exact model. Route the new sensor along the original path, avoiding sharp bends, and secure it with clips or tape as originally installed.
- Check the control board: If the sensor tests good and wiring is intact, the main control PCB may not be reading the sensor correctly. Inspect the board for burnt components or corrosion. Replacement of the PCB is recommended to be done by a qualified technician.
When to call a professional: If you are not comfortable testing resistance or accessing the control PCB, or if replacing the sensor does not clear E1, contact an authorized SMEG service center.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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