Wine cooler shows E3 and interior temperature fluctuates widely or unit shuts down intermittently.

Safety: Disconnect the wine cooler from mains power before removing the control panel or top cover.

How to troubleshoot E3:

• Check installation conditions: Ensure the wine cooler is not installed in an area outside its specified ambient temperature range (typically 10–38°C). Extreme ambient temperatures can confuse the sensor and trigger E3.
• Locate the ambient sensor: On many SMEG wine coolers, the ambient sensor is located behind the front control panel or near the top front grille. Remove the control panel bezel or top trim carefully to access it.
• Inspect the sensor and wiring: Look for signs of moisture, corrosion, or physical damage. Ensure the connector is fully seated on the control PCB.
• Test the sensor: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the sensor and measure resistance at room temperature. Compare to typical NTC values. If the reading is far outside expected range, the sensor is defective.
• Replace the ambient sensor: Order the correct SMEG ambient NTC sensor for your model. Install it in the same location, ensuring it is not in direct contact with hot components or light bulbs.
• Check the control board: If the sensor tests correctly and wiring is intact, the main control PCB may misinterpret the signal. Replacement of the PCB is usually required and is best handled by a technician.

Tip: After replacement, perform a power reset and allow the unit several hours to stabilize before judging temperature performance.