April 19, 2023

Kenmore 253 series French door refrigerator error codes

Kenmore

These error code explanations can help you diagnose a problem with your Kenmore French-door refrigerator that begins with model number 253.7031.

For how-to information, visit the PartsDirect repair help section, which includes DIY help for major appliances, lawn and garden equipment, garage door openers, vacuum cleaners and more. Search for your model number to find a complete list of replacement parts for your refrigerator.

Error Code
Condition
DIY advice
OP in freezer temperature display

Freezer temperature sensor open

Check/Repair

Unplug the refrigerator and check wiring connections between the freezer temperature sensor and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires. If the wiring connections are okay, unplug the freezer temperature sensor from its wire harness and measure the resistance of the sensor using a multimeter. The meter should measure 84,925 ohms if the sensor temperature is 0 degrees, 32,566 ohms at 32 degrees and 11,304 ohms at 72 degrees (room temperature). Replace the sensor if the meter measures infinite resistance. If the meter measures correct resistance through the sensor, plug the temperature sensor back in and measure resistance through the freezer temperature sensor wires that connect to the electronic control board. The freezer temperature sensor connects to the electronic control board through the gray/white wires on the J4A connector. Unplug the J4A connector from the control board and measure resistance through the gray/white wires. The meter should read the same resistance as for the temperature sensor. If the meter measures correct sensor resistance through the wires, you'll likely need to replace the electronic control board because it's not accurately detecting sensor resistance. Find and repair the sensor wiring failure if the meter measures infinite resistance through the sensor wires.

How-to help
Possible parts
Thermistor (temperature sensor), electronic control board
SH in freezer temperature display

Freezer temperature sensor shorted

Check/Repair

Unplug the refrigerator and disconnect the freezer temperature sensor from its wire harness. Measure the resistance of the sensor using a multimeter. The meter should measure 84,925 ohms if the sensor temperature is 0 degrees, 32,566 ohms at 32 degrees and 11,304 ohms at 72 degrees (room temperature). Replace the sensor if the meter measures less than 10 ohms of resistance. If the meter measures correct resistance through the sensor, plug the temperature sensor back in and measure resistance through the freezer temperature sensor wires that connect to the electronic control board (the gray/white wires on the J4A connector). Unplug the J4A connector from the control board and measure resistance through the gray/white wires. The meter should read the same resistance as for the temperature sensor. If the meter measures correct sensor resistance through the wires, you'll likely need to replace the electronic control board because it's not accurately detecting sensor resistance. Find and repair the sensor wiring failure if the meter measures less than 10 ohms of resistance through the sensor wires.

How-to help
Possible parts
Thermistor (temperature sensor), electronic control board
OP in refrigerator temperature display

Refrigerator temperature sensor open

Check/Repair

Unplug the refrigerator and check wiring connections between the refrigerator temperature sensor and the electronic control board. Reconnect any loose wires. If wiring is okay, unplug the refrigerator temperature sensor from its wire harness and measure the resistance of the sensor using a multimeter. The meter should measure 28,300 ohms if the sensor temperature is 37 degrees, 32,566 ohms at 32 degrees and 11,304 ohms at 72 degrees (room temperature). Replace the sensor if the meter measures infinite resistance. If the meter measures correct resistance through the sensor, plug the temperature sensor back in and measure resistance through the refrigerator temperature sensor wires that connect to the electronic control board (the gray/black wires on the J4A connector). Unplug the J4A connector from the control board and measure resistance through the gray/black wires. The meter should read the same resistance as for the temperature sensor. If the meter measures correct sensor resistance through the wires, you'll likely need to replace the electronic control board because it's not accurately detecting sensor resistance. Find and repair the sensor wiring failure if the meter measures infinite resistance through the sensor wires.

How-to help
Possible parts
Thermistor (temperature sensor), electronic control board
SH in refrigerator temperature display

Refrigerator temperature sensor shorted

Check/Repair

Unplug the refrigerator and disconnect the refrigerator temperature sensor from its wire harness. Measure the resistance of the sensor using a multimeter. The meter should measure 28,300 ohms if the sensor temperature is 37 degrees, 32,566 ohms at 32 degrees and 11,304 ohms at 72 degrees (room temperature). Replace the sensor if the meter measures less than 10 ohms of resistance. If the meter measures correct resistance through the sensor, plug the temperature sensor back in and measure resistance through the refrigerator temperature sensor wires that connect to the electronic control board (the gray/black wires on the J4A connector). Unplug the J4A connector from the control board and measure resistance through the gray/black wires. The meter should read the same resistance as for the temperature sensor. If the meter measures correct sensor resistance through the wires, you'll likely need to replace the electronic control board because it's not accurately detecting sensor resistance. Find and repair the sensor wiring failure if the meter measures less than 10 ohms of resistance through the sensor wires.

How-to help
Possible parts
Thermistor (temperature sensor), electronic control board
SY EF

Evaporator fan circuit failure

Check/Repair

Unplug the refrigerator and check the evaporator fan wire harness connection in the freezer. Reconnect the wire harness plug if it's loose. If the wire harness connection in the freezer is okay, check the evaporator fan wire connections to the electronic control board (brown/white, blue/white and yellow/white wires on J4A and red/white wire on J4B). If the wiring connections are okay, replace the evaporator fan. If the problem continues, replace the electronic control board.

Possible parts
Evaporator fan, electronic control board
SY CE or SY CF

Communications failure between the electronic control board and user interface

Check/Repair

Unplug the refrigerator and check the wire harness connections between the user interface and the electronic control board. If the wiring connections are okay, replace the electronic control board. If the problem continues, replace the user interface.

How-to help
Possible parts
Electronic control board, user interface

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