F30 and F31 error code troubleshooting for ranges video

Hi. Wayne here from Sears PartsDirect. Today we’re going to talk about what to do when you see the F30 or F31 code on the range display when you try baking or broiling.

For Kenmore and Frigidaire ranges like this one, these codes mean that the control detects a problem with the oven temperature sensor probe.

The 3 parts that can trigger this code are the oven temperature sensor probe, a wiring harness or the electronic oven control board.

The F30 and F31 codes differ slightly, even though they both indicate a problem with the oven temperature sensor. Specifically, the F30 code indicates the probe could be broken or unplugged or its wires could be broken or damaged.

The F31 code is similar; it indicates the probe could be broken or its wires could be pinched. Pinching can damage the sensor wires’ insulation, causing bare wire strands to short against each other or the metal cabinet.

With both codes, if you find that the sensor probe and its wiring are okay, it means the electronic control board incorrectly detected a bad sensor, and you have to replace the board.

Tools you may need

This video shows how to figure out exactly what’s wrong. You need a multimeter complete the electric checks and a nut driver to pull off the back range panels. Also, let the oven cool to room temperature if it’s still hot.

Check the wiring connections

Let’s get started. Unplug the range and pull it out so you can get to the oven temperature sensor probe and electronic oven control board on the back of the range. If you have a gas range, shut off the gas supply.

Remove the screws and pull off the top and bottom back panels.

First make sure the sensor probe is fully plugged into its wire harness. If the connection is loose, tighten the connection and reassemble the range.

Restore electrical power to the range and see if the code disappears. If it does, you fixed the problem by tightening that wire harness connection.

If the code appears, let’s check the entire sensor circuit through the purple wires that connect to the electronic oven control board.

Check the sensor circuit

Unplug the wire harness with purple wires from the electronic oven control board. With your multimeter set to check resistance, measure the resistance through the purple wires on the connection plug. It should measure around 1,080 ohms at room temperature.

If it measures near 1,080 ohms of resistance, the oven temperature sensor probe and its wiring are likely okay. But you need to test for a ground to the metal range cabinet, because a ground in the sensor wiring to the cabinet can cause the F30 or F31 code.

Check for resistance from each purple wire to metal on the back of the range. If it measures OL, there’s no short to the metal cabinet and the wiring is okay.

If it measures OL between each purple wire and the metal cabinet, replace the control board because it’s finding a problem with the wiring and sensor probe even though your checks showed they’re both okay. Here’s a video that shows you how to replace the control board.

If it measures 0 ohms of resistance between one or both purple wires and the metal cabinet, find and repair the wire damage that’s allowing bare sensor wiring to touch the metal cabinet.

Test the sensor

If the multimeter doesn’t measure near 1,080 ohms through the purple sensor wires that connect to the electronic oven control board, a broken oven temperature sensor probe or a wiring failure is causing the F30 or F31 code. Let’s check the sensor first.

Unplug the sensor from the wire harness and check the sensor resistance. If it doesn’t measure near 1,080 ohms, replace the oven temperature sensor because it has failed. Here’s a video that shows you how.

If it does measure near 1,080 ohms of resistance through the sensor, replace the wire harness because the wire harness is keeping the electronic oven control board from measuring the proper sensor resistance.

Once you replaced the problem part, reinstall the back panels and plug in the range. The error code should be gone and that means you fixed the problem and can get back to baking!  

Well, we hope this video helps you out today. Check out our other videos on the Sears PartsDirect YouTube Channel and subscribe to get notifications when we post new videos.