Kenmore Range Error Code F1-E3

The F1-E3 error code on a Kenmore range indicates a fuel type selection failure caused by an incompatible or incorrect EEPROM installed in the electronic control board. The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) is a small chip on the control board that stores critical configuration data, including whether the appliance is programmed to operate as a gas range or an electric range. When the control board reads EEPROM data that does not match the actual appliance type, it triggers this fault and halts normal operation to prevent unsafe conditions.

This fault most commonly occurs after a control board replacement where the wrong board was installed, or where the replacement board carries an EEPROM programmed for a different fuel type than the range in question. It can also occur if the EEPROM chip itself has become corrupted or failed, causing it to return invalid fuel-type configuration data during the board's startup self-check. In rare cases, the fault may appear after a significant power surge that corrupts stored EEPROM values.

Because the root cause is a hardware mismatch or chip failure rather than a wiring or sensor issue, the corrective action is straightforward: the control board must be replaced with a unit that carries the correct EEPROM for the specific fuel type of the range. Disconnecting and restoring power will not resolve this fault. The replacement board must be sourced and confirmed to match the appliance's fuel type before installation.