Maytag Oven Error Code F3E1

The F3E1 error code on a Maytag oven indicates that the main control board has detected an out-of-range temperature reading from the lower cavity oven temperature sensor (often called the RTD sensor or oven sensor probe). Specifically, the control has registered a temperature above 995°F (535°C) or below 0°F (-18°C), values that fall outside any realistic operating range for normal cooking. Because the control cannot trust the sensor input, it halts oven operation to prevent overheating or inaccurate temperature regulation. The "Open or Shorted" designation tells you the fault is electrical in nature: an open circuit means the sensor circuit has a break interrupting current flow, while a short circuit means two conductors are making unintended contact and driving the signal to an extreme value.

The lower cavity sensor is a resistive temperature device whose resistance changes predictably with temperature. At room temperature this sensor typically reads in a specific resistance range, and the control monitors that resistance continuously through a dedicated input circuit. Connector P10 on the main control board is the interface point for this sensor circuit, making it the first place to inspect. A backed-out terminal pin, corroded contact, or loose connector at P10 can introduce enough resistance into the circuit to mimic an open-sensor condition or send a wildly incorrect signal to the control.

The most common root causes are a failed oven temperature sensor, damaged wiring in the sensor harness (particularly near the back wall of the oven cavity where heat exposure is highest), or a poor connection at the control board connector. In less common cases, the main control board itself may have a failed input circuit, though this is typically diagnosed only after the sensor and wiring have been confirmed good.