Kenmore · Refrigerator
Kenmore Refrigerator Error Code 33
Fill tube heater out of range
What this error means
Code 33 means the fill tube heater resistance or current is outside the acceptable range. A cold fill tube freezes incoming water and prevents the mold from filling—code 33 catches heater circuit failures early.
How 33 is detected
When 33 appears on a Kenmore refrigerator, the control board has confirmed that water did not leave the machine within the programmed drain window. On Kenmore 106.51133210, Kenmore 106.62562101, and similar variants, the drain pump runs for a fixed interval—often three to seven minutes on washers and dishwashers—while a pressure switch or turbidity sensor verifies the tub or sump is empty. If water remains, the cycle stops to prevent spin with a full tub or overflow on the next fill.
Most 33 calls are resolved without parts: thaw the fill tube with a warm cloth until water can pass freely. Restricted drain paths mimic pump failure because the impeller spins against a blocked hose or filter. Document whether the pump hums audibly during the drain step; a humming pump with no water movement points to a clogged filter or kinked hose, while silence may indicate a failed pump motor or loose wiring at the harness.
After clearing blockages, run a short cycle and listen at the drain hose for steady water flow. If 33 returns on the next load with a clean filter and straight hose, measure resistance at the pump motor connector per the service manual for your model before ordering a replacement pump assembly.
Common causes
- Open fill tube heater wire along the freezer ceiling
- Ice plug in the fill tube from a failed heater
- Failed heater element on the plastic fill tube assembly
- Ice box fan not running, allowing tube freeze even with a good heater
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Thaw the fill tube with a warm cloth until water can pass freely
- 2Run Service Test 36 to confirm the ice box fan operates
- 3Measure fill tube heater resistance at the connector per tech sheet
- 4Replace the fill tube heater kit if resistance reads open
When to call a technician
Fill tube and heater replacement in the freezer ceiling is tedious—service can install the correct tube kit for your model.
Affected models
- Kenmore 106.51133210
- Kenmore 106.62562101
- Kenmore 106.74202410
Prevention & maintenance
- Clean drain filters and hose terminations monthly on high-use refrigerators to prevent 33 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when 33 appears in the cycle and whether it clears after a 60-second power reset on your Kenmore refrigerator—that detail speeds diagnosis if you call service.
- Keep the model and serial number from the rating plate when ordering parts for 33; Kenmore uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting 33; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.