Wine Enthusiast wine cooler displays E5 and may shut down or fail to cool.
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: Unplug the cooler before working near the compressor or electrical components. Allow hot components to cool.
- Check ventilation: Ensure there is adequate clearance around the sides, back, and top of the wine cooler as specified in the Wine Enthusiast manual. Remove any items blocking the rear grille.
- Clean condenser coils: Pull the unit away from the wall and remove the lower rear access panel. Use a soft brush and vacuum to clean dust from the condenser coils and fan area.
- Inspect condenser fan: Verify that the condenser fan (near the compressor) spins freely by hand. If it is seized or noisy, it may need replacement.
- Check start relay and overload: With power disconnected, remove the plastic cover on the side of the compressor. Inspect the start relay and overload protector for signs of burning or cracking. A rattling relay when shaken is often failed.
- Replace faulty components: Install a compatible Wine Enthusiast compressor start relay/overload kit if damaged. Ensure all connections are tight.
- Restart and monitor: Reassemble the rear panel, plug in the unit, and monitor for normal compressor start-up. The E5 code should clear once the compressor runs without overheating.
If the compressor hums and clicks off or E5 persists despite a good relay and fan, the compressor or control board may be failing. This requires a sealed-system technician.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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