Kenmore · Refrigerator
Kenmore Refrigerator Error Code 36
Harvest thermistor failed calibration check
What this error means
Code 36 means the harvest thermistor failed a range check distinct from code 32—typically comparing mold temperature delta before and after the heater cycle. The module concludes the sensor cannot reliably report release temperature.
How 36 is detected
When 36 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 36 calls are resolved without parts: run service test 58 and record thermistor values at freeze and post-heat. 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 36 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
- Harvest thermistor decal detached from the mold wall
- Sensor reading stuck high after a failed harvest
- Water film on the thermistor from a leaking fill valve
- End-of-life ice maker with drifted sensor curve
Step-by-step fixes
- 1Run Service Test 58 and record thermistor values at freeze and post-heat
- 2Dry the mold interior and confirm the sensor pad contacts the metal wall
- 3Compare readings to the chart—flat readings across temperature change mean a bad sensor
- 4Replace the ice maker head when the harvest thermistor fails the delta test
When to call a technician
Module recalibration after ice maker replacement is model-specific—service can confirm code 36 clears in Test 56.
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 36 from lint and food debris buildup.
- Record when 36 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 36; Kenmore uses multiple revisions with different harness lengths and board firmware.
- Photograph wiring connector orientation before disconnecting any component while troubleshooting 36; reversed plugs on pumps and valves cause immediate repeat faults.