Display shows E4 and cabinet temperature fluctuates widely or unit shuts down unexpectedly
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: Disconnect power before accessing the evaporator area. Edges of metal panels and coils can be sharp.
Procedure:
- Defrost first: If there is heavy ice buildup, leave the door open and unplug the unit for several hours to melt ice. Place towels to catch water.
- Access evaporator: Remove interior rear panel inside the cooled compartment to expose the evaporator coil and fan assembly.
- Locate sensor: Find the small NTC probe clipped or strapped to the evaporator tubing. Ensure it is firmly attached and not hanging loose.
- Inspect for damage: Look for crushed wires, cracked sensor body, or corrosion where the sensor enters its sheath.
- Check wiring to board: Trace the sensor harness through the cabinet to the control board. Verify no pinched sections and that the connector is fully seated.
- Test sensor: With the unit unplugged, disconnect the sensor and measure resistance. Compare to other cabinet sensors. Replace if readings are out of range or intermittent when gently flexing the wire.
- Replace sensor: Install a new Transtherm evaporator NTC sensor, clipping it securely to the coil in the same position to ensure accurate defrost control.
- Reassemble and test: Refit the interior panel, restore power, and monitor operation. The E4 code should clear once the control detects a valid sensor signal.
Warning: Do not use sharp tools to remove ice from the evaporator; you can puncture the refrigerant tubing and render the cabinet non-repairable.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
We may earn a commission from links on this page.