Viking Undercounter Refrigerator Code E3: Evaporator Thermistor Reads Out of Range

What E3 means

On Viking Professional and Designer undercounter refrigerators with TruProtect control, such as the VUAR1531T, VURD1441D and DUAR1531, E3 means the evaporator thermistor, called sensor B, reads out of range. The control relies on that sensor to manage cooling and defrost, so a wrong reading can make the unit run too long or too little. On dual-zone wine cellars, E3 refers to a different sensor.

Common causes of E3

Evaporator thermistor sensor B out of range
Sensor wire or plug loose
Control board input reading wrongly

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Note whether the cabinet is staying cold. 2. Unplug the unit for a minute and plug it back in. 3. Hold SET, then press ON four times, to wipe the code. 4. Do not pull at any wires you can see. 5. If E3 returns, call us for a sensor test.

! Why to stop there

The evaporator sensor sits inside the cooling section
Checking its resistance needs the right meter
Ice buildup may hide the real cause

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Refrigerator codes

ShrViking Built-In Refrigerator Display Shr: Sensor Circuit Shorted Upper unit openViking Fully Integrated Column Message "Upper unit open": refrigerator door open Upper unit too coldViking Fully Integrated Column Message "Upper unit too cold": refrigerator running colder than set Upper unit too warmViking Fully Integrated Column Message "Upper unit too warm": refrigerator above its setting Hi/Low Temp / Power Failure / Door Ajar (TruProtect)Viking TruProtect Undercounter Refrigerator Alarms: Hi/Low Temp, Power Failure, Door Ajar HIGH TEMPViking Built-In Refrigerator Message HIGH TEMP: Cabinet Warm for Two Hours LAViking Undercounter Refrigerator Code LA: low-temperature alarm after 30 minutes LLViking 5 Series Undercounter Refrigerator Code LL: compartment temperature too low

E3E3 questions

Is sensor B the same as the display sensor?

No. Sensor B is the evaporator thermistor. The display thermistor is sensor A and is reported by E4 on this undercounter platform, so the two codes point to two different sensors.

Does E3 mean the same on a wine cellar?

Not always. On dual-zone wine cellars E3 points to the upper compartment sensor A instead. Check which appliance you have before comparing the two, or tell us the model number.

What does the repair involve?

We test the sensor, replace it if needed and clear the code. The price is written before work and the repair is covered by our 30-day workmanship warranty.