Wine cooler shows E4 and may shut down cooling or run continuously; defrost may not function correctly.
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: Disconnect power before accessing the evaporator or control board. Beware of sharp fins and edges.
Steps to troubleshoot E4:
- 1. Inspect for heavy frost: Remove interior rear panel and check the evaporator coil. If it is completely iced over, the defrost system is likely not working.
- 2. Check defrost sensor: Locate the defrost thermistor (often clipped to the evaporator tubing). Inspect for physical damage. Disconnect and test resistance with a multimeter; compare to Vinotemp specs at the measured temperature. Replace if open/shorted.
- 3. Test defrost heater (if equipped): With the unit unplugged, disconnect the heater leads and measure resistance. A reading of infinite resistance indicates a failed heater. Replace with a Vinotemp-compatible defrost heater.
- 4. Inspect wiring and connectors: Look for burnt connectors, melted insulation, or loose plugs between the heater, sensor, and control board.
- 5. Reassemble and reset: After replacing any failed components, reassemble panels, plug in the unit, and allow it to run through a cycle. The E4 code should clear if the defrost circuit is restored.
Note: If the heater and sensor test good, the control board defrost relay or logic may be defective and should be evaluated by a technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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