Maytag Range Error Code F3

The F3 error code on a Maytag range indicates the electronic control board has detected an abnormal resistance reading from the oven temperature sensor (RTD sensor). The board continuously monitors the sensor circuit and triggers F3 when the resistance falls outside the expected range, either reading as an open circuit (no continuity, indicating a broken sensor or severed wire) or a short circuit (near-zero resistance, indicating a sensor or wiring fault that has failed closed). This distinction matters during diagnosis because open and shorted faults point to different failure points along the same circuit.

For homeowners, the oven temperature sensor is a small probe mounted inside the oven cavity, usually at the upper rear wall. It tells the control board how hot the oven actually is so the board can regulate temperature accurately. When this sensor or its wiring fails, the board can no longer trust the temperature data, so it shuts down oven operation and displays F3 to prevent overheating or inaccurate cooking cycles. The range's surface burners may still function depending on the model.

F3 is triggered by one of three conditions: the sensor probe itself has failed, the wiring between the sensor and control board is damaged or disconnected, or a connector along that circuit has corroded or pulled apart. Testing the sensor's resistance at room temperature (typically around 1080 to 1100 ohms for a standard RTD sensor) confirms whether the probe is the source or whether the fault lies in the wiring.