Kenmore Oven ER F3 Error: Oven Temperature Sensor Fault (LG-Platform Elite)
The kenmore oven er f3 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 Elite Wall Oven Error Code Er F3 Mean? Er F3 on a Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx-series wall oven (LG-made platform) signals a temperature sensor fault […]
Quick Assessment
Answer to continue safely
Is it safe to keep using?
No. Er F3 disables all heating elements on the Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx oven. The oven cannot be used for any cooking until the sensor fault is cleared. Attempting to bypass the fault is not possible without accessing the control board internals.
Can I reset the code?
No. A hard reset clears Er F3 from the display temporarily, but the fault returns the next time the board polls the sensor — which occurs within seconds of any preheat command. Hardware repair is required.
When to stop immediately?
Stop if you notice: Er F3 returns during preheat immediately after a new sensor is installed, The sensor harness connector pins are corroded beyond cleaning and the harness must be replaced.
Symptoms You May Notice
Er F3 displayed on the Kenmore Elite oven LCD and oven will not heat
The LG-platform Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx control board checks the temperature sensor before allowing any heating element to energize. With an out-of-range sensor reading, Er F3 appears on the LCD display and the oven refuses to preheat in any mode.
Temperature display shows a value that does not match the actual oven temperature
If the sensor is borderline (intermittently out of range), the Kenmore Elite display may show a temperature that climbs too fast (shorted sensor) or too slowly (high-resistance sensor), before the board eventually locks on Er F3.
Er F3 returns after a reset but clears momentarily when the oven is at room temperature
An aging sensor on the LG platform may pass the board's cold-start check but fail once it heats up — producing Er F3 intermittently during preheat before becoming a permanent fault as the sensor fully degrades.
Cooling fan runs continuously while Er F3 is displayed
On Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx ovens, the LG-platform board keeps the convection cooling fan running as a safety precaution when a sensor fault is active, producing continuous fan noise from the vent even though no element is heating.
Possible Causes
Failed oven RTD or NTC temperature sensor on the LG-platform Kenmore Elite
The temperature sensing element inside the probe has failed open or short from heat cycling fatigue — the same failure mode as Frigidaire-platform sensors, though the LG-platform probe uses different resistance specifications. Replacement with the correct LG-platform part is required.
DIY PossibleSensor harness connection issue at the main oven control board
The two-wire sensor connector at the main control board on the Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx has backed out, corroded, or developed a broken conductor, producing an out-of-range reading without the probe itself having failed.
DIY PossibleFailed main control board sensor input on the LG-platform oven
The sensor ADC input circuit on the LG-platform main board has failed, returning an out-of-range reading regardless of sensor condition. Confirmed only after sensor and harness are both verified good.
Requires ProfessionalSafe Checks You Can Do
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1
Measure the LG-platform sensor resistance — note the different spec from Frigidaire-platform
Turn off the Kenmore Elite wall oven circuit breaker and allow the oven to cool completely. Locate the oven temperature sensor at the rear of the cavity (two screws, two-wire harness). Disconnect the harness and measure resistance. LG-platform Kenmore Elite oven sensors typically read approximately 10,000 ohms (10 kOhm) at room temperature — significantly different from the 1,080–1,100 ohm spec of Frigidaire-platform sensors. Confirm the correct specification for your specific 790.9xxx model in its service manual on manualslib.com before interpreting the reading.
Do not use a Frigidaire-platform RTD sensor (part 316217002) as a replacement on an LG-platform Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx oven — the resistance curves are incompatible. Order the correct LG-platform sensor using your full model number from searspartsdirect.com or appliancepartspros.com.
Tools required -
2
Reseat the sensor harness connector at the main control board and perform a hard reset
With the oven unplugged, access the main control board (typically behind the upper control panel trim on 790.9xxx models) and firmly reseat the sensor harness connector. Inspect the connector pins for corrosion or bent contacts. Restore power and attempt a preheat cycle to 350°F. If Er F3 clears and the temperature display shows a steady preheat climb, a loose connector was the cause.
The main control board on Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx LG-platform ovens is typically accessed by removing the top trim panel — consult your model's service manual for the exact screw locations before disassembly. The board and sensor are both accessible without oven removal from the wall cabinet.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a qualified technician if:
- Replacement LG-platform sensor measures within specification at room temperature but Er F3 returns at operating temperature — indicating an intermittent internal sensor fault or board ADC drift
- Sensor harness connector shows corrosion that isopropyl cleaning cannot restore — requiring pigtail splice or harness replacement
- Er F3 persists after confirmed sensor replacement — indicating main control board ADC failure requiring board replacement on the Kenmore Elite 790.9xxx
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