Kenmore Oven F3-E2 Error: Broil Sensor Open or Short Circuit (Upper Oven Sensor Fault)
The kenmore oven f3-e2 error is a fault signal from the control board — this guide walks through what it means, common causes, and safe diagnostic steps. What Does Kenmore Wall Oven Error Code F3-E2 Mean? F3-E2 on a Kenmore 790-series wall oven (Frigidaire/Electrolux platform, F-E hybrid notation) signals a fault in the broil or […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
Maybe. On single-wall-oven models, the bake function may operate normally while F3-E2 is active (broil sensor fault only). Do not use the broil function until the sensor is repaired. On double wall ovens, do not use the upper cavity at all — use only the lower oven and schedule repair promptly.
Can I reset the code?
No. F3-E2 returns immediately on any broil or upper-oven command because the sensor circuit fault is still present. Resetting the breaker only clears the display temporarily. Sensor or harness replacement is required.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: F3-E2 appears during a bake cycle, not just broil — indicating the fault has spread to a shared sensor circuit, New broil sensor installed but F3-E2 still sets — confirming a harness or board issue.
Symptoms You May Notice
Broil function does not work — F3-E2 appears when broil is selected
Pressing Broil and Start on the Kenmore 790 control panel results in F3-E2 appearing instead of the element energizing, because the board cannot monitor broil cavity temperature without a functional sensor.
On double wall ovens, the upper oven refuses to operate while the lower oven functions normally
In Kenmore 790 double wall oven models, E2 typically refers to the upper cavity sensor. If only F3-E2 appears when the upper oven is selected, but the lower oven operates without error, the fault is isolated to the upper cavity sensor circuit.
Temperature display shows an implausibly high number (short circuit) or dashes (open circuit) in broil mode
The broil display behavior reveals which sensor failure mode is present: dashes indicate an open-circuit (F30-type) reading, while a very high number like 999°F indicates a short-circuit (F31-type) reading from the broil sensor.
Uneven browning with the top of food scorched or undercooked
Before F3-E2 locks out the upper element, intermittent broil sensor readings cause the board to over- or under-drive the broiler, leaving food tops burned on one pass and pale on the next from the same recipe.
Possible Causes
Failed broil or upper-oven RTD sensor probe
The second RTD probe (for broil or upper oven) has failed open or short, triggering F3-E2. On single-wall ovens, this probe is often located near the broil element at the top of the cavity; on double-wall ovens, it is in the upper cavity rear.
DIY PossibleDisconnected or damaged broil sensor harness
The two-wire harness for the broil or upper oven sensor has pulled loose, been pinched, or developed an internal break, producing an open-circuit reading at the ERC board input even if the sensor probe itself is functional.
DIY PossibleERC board second sensor (E2) ADC input failure
The E2 analog input on the ERC board has failed, making a functional sensor appear as an open or shorted circuit. Confirmed only after the sensor and harness are both verified good.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Identify and locate the broil or upper-oven sensor probe
Turn off the circuit breaker and allow the oven to cool. Consult your Kenmore 790 model's wiring diagram (available at manualslib.com for most 790.49xx models) to locate the broil sensor probe — it is typically in the upper rear of the cavity near the broil element, secured by two screws. Remove it and disconnect its two-wire harness. Measure resistance: 1,080–1,100 ohms at room temperature is normal; OL (open circuit) or under 500 ohms (shorted) confirm sensor failure.
On Kenmore 790 double wall ovens, verify that you are measuring the upper oven sensor, not the lower — harness color codes vary by model. The wiring diagram identifies each sensor by its harness connector color.
Tools required -
2
Test whether bake function works without triggering F3-E2
After identifying whether the fault is in the broil sensor specifically, restore breaker power and test the bake function only (avoiding broil). On many Kenmore 790 single-wall-oven models, a failed broil sensor (F3-E2) still allows bake to operate normally since bake uses the main cavity sensor (E0). Confirming bake works helps narrow the fault to the broil sensor circuit before ordering parts.
Do not use the broil function or any upper-oven function on a double-wall-oven model while F3-E2 is active — the board cannot regulate upper oven or broil temperature without the sensor and a thermal runaway risk exists.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Replacement broil sensor tests 1,080–1,100 ohms at room temperature but F3-E2 still sets during a broil cycle
- Harness continuity from broil sensor connector to ERC board E2 input shows an open conductor
- F3-E2 appears on a Kenmore double wall oven and both upper and lower oven functions are affected simultaneously
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