Kenmore · Oven
Kenmore Oven F03 Error Code
Open oven temperature sensor
What this error means
F03 on Kenmore 790-series ranges means the oven temperature sensor (RTD) circuit is open. The electronic range control cannot regulate bake or broil without a valid probe signal.
How F03 is detected
F03 on Kenmore oven units indicates the drive system did not meet expected performance. Direct-drive washers monitor rotor position with a hall sensor; dryers and dishwashers track motor current draw. When the drum or spray arm fails to turn, the inverter or motor relay shuts down to prevent burned windings. Kenmore Elite 790.75903, Kenmore 790.46187300, and similar variants may show this fault after an overloaded tub or a foreign object jam.
Sensor plug loose behind the rear panel is a leading trigger. Start with shut off power at the breaker. Rotate the drum or spray arm by hand when powered off—it should move without grinding. Grinding confirms mechanical obstruction; free rotation with repeated F03 on light loads suggests hall sensor, motor, or inverter board failure requiring professional diagnosis.
Common causes
- Sensor plug loose behind the rear panel
- Broken sensor wire inside the oven cavity routing
- Failed RTD probe internally open
- Connector corrosion from steam at the broil element
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Shut off power at the breaker
- 2Remove the rear lower panel and reseat the sensor harness
- 3Measure probe resistance—about 1080 ohms at room temperature on many models
- 4Replace the probe if resistance reads infinite
When to call a technician
New probe with correct ohms but persistent F03 indicates ERC wiring service.
Affected models
- Kenmore Elite 790.75903
- Kenmore 790.46187300
- Kenmore 790.72409410
Prevention & maintenance
- Avoid washing single heavy rugs or shoes that bind the drum; distribute weight evenly to reduce motor strain that precedes F03.
- Record when F03 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Kenmore oven—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for F03; Kenmore uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting F03; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.