Frigidaire Oven F3 Error: Temperature Sensor Open Circuit
Quick Answer
Frigidaire F3 is a temperature probe open circuit fault, and the important brand-specific detail is the resistance spec: Frigidaire RTD probes read 1,100 ohms at room temperature (68F), which is higher than the GE spec of approximately 1,080 ohms. If you use GE specs to test a Frigidaire probe you may incorrectly condemn a good probe.
I usually see this code from a physical break in the sensor wires after years of expanding and contracting with the heat cycles. When F3 hits, your Frigidaire is basically blind to its own temperature and won't engage the heating elements for safety. It's a super common service call, and honestly one of the easiest DIY fixes out there since the probe's cheap and takes maybe 15 minutes to swap.
FrigidaireOvenSeverity: moderate90% DIY Success
Time to Fix
20–60 min
Difficulty
beginner
Parts Cost
$18 – $280
Tools Needed
Phillips #2 screwdriver, Multimeter (with ohms and continuity settings)
What Does the F3 Code Mean?
OK here's the deal with F3. Think of it like a broken bridge between your oven's brain and its thermometer. Nine times out of ten the sensor inside the oven has just worn out from all those heat cycles. The control board is the more expensive part, but it's rarely the culprit for this specific code. Most of the time you're looking at a $20-40 probe replacement and you're done.
Most Likely Causes
Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:
RTD probe wire broken inside the probe body from heat fatigue40%
Probe connector disconnected or corroded at the wiring harness24%
Probe tip physically damaged from impact inside the cavity22%
Oven cleaner chemical contact corroding the probe connector pins14%
Symptoms You May Notice
F3 flashing on the display the moment you try to start preheating, sometimes with a beep sequence that won't stop until you clear it.
Oven stays completely cold no matter what you select. Bake, broil, both locked out.
Temperature display shows dashes, ERR, or just won't show any number at all.
The oven throws F3 mid-cook, so your dinner's ruined and the heating elements shut off partway through a cycle.
Control panel seems to work fine and the clock runs normally, but zero heat no matter what you try.
Can you reset a Frigidaire oven to clear the F3 code?
You can't button-mash your way out of an F3. The control board checks that probe circuit every single time you try to start a cycle, so clearing it without fixing the actual problem won't stick. Once you've replaced the sensor or fixed the wiring, kill power at the breaker for 60 seconds. Flip it back on and the board re-scans the circuit automatically. If the repair worked, the code clears on its own. No special button sequence needed.
Tools Required for Diagnosis
Phillips #2 screwdriverMultimeter (with ohms and continuity settings)Flashlight or headlampNeedle-nose pliers (for reaching the harness connector)Aluminum foil (to protect probe during oven cleaning)
Diagnostic Checklist
Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.
ComponentComponent Under Test
Expected Range1070–1130 ohms
ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.
Replacement Parts
If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.
Part Name
OEM Number
Estimated Price
RTD Temperature Probe316217002 · $18–$35
316217002
$18 – $35
Control Board (ERC)316557115 · $120–$280
316557115
$120 – $280
Frequently Asked Questions
What resistance should a Frigidaire oven RTD probe read?
Keep this number in your head: 1,100 ohms at 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the Frigidaire spec, and it's actually different from GE which reads closer to 1,080 ohms. If you google generic RTD specs you might test a perfectly good Frigidaire probe and think it's bad. Your meter might drift 20 to 30 ohms depending on how warm your kitchen is, and that's fine. The real failure sign for an F3 is OL on your meter screen, which means the wire inside the probe is physically snapped and there's no resistance reading at all.
Can I use oven cleaner near the RTD probe?
Honestly, no. Those caustic chemicals can eat right through the seal where the wires enter the metal probe tube, and once that seal's compromised, moisture gets inside and corrodes the sensor filament from the inside out. You won't even see it happening, the outside of the probe looks fine. If you're doing a deep clean, wrap the probe tight in aluminum foil and tape it off before you start spraying anything. Be careful not to snag those wires when you're wiping down the back wall either, the connectors aren't that robust after a few years of use.
Will my Frigidaire oven heat at all with an F3 code?
Nope. Hard lockout. The control board lost its temperature eyes, so it has no idea if the oven cavity is 75 degrees or 600 degrees. To prevent a runaway heating situation or a fire, the software kills the bake and broil relays completely. Your clock, timer, and display might all work fine, but the heating elements won't come on. Don't bother trying to preheat repeatedly hoping it clears on its own. It won't. You need to fix the root cause first.
How long does an RTD probe usually last in a Frigidaire oven?
Eight to twelve years is pretty typical for normal use. I replaced three of these last Tuesday alone, all ovens from 2012 to 2014, and every single one was just plain age-related probe failure. Nothing dramatic. If you run the self-clean cycle a lot or cook at high temps frequently, that shortens the lifespan because of all the extra thermal stress on those thin internal wires. The good news is the probe's one of the cheapest fixes on an oven, usually $20 to $40 for the part, and it takes about 15 minutes to swap.
What's the part number for the Frigidaire oven temperature probe?
Part number 316217002 covers a huge range of Frigidaire, Kenmore, and Electrolux ovens from roughly 2008 onward. Before you order, check your model number on the door frame sticker and cross-reference it just to be sure. Some older Frigidaire Gallery series models take a slightly different probe. The part runs $20 to $40 and you can find it at Repair Clinic, AppliancePartsPros, or Amazon. Takes about 15 minutes to swap, two screws out, connector unplugged, new one in. It's probably the easiest oven repair you'll ever do.