Kenmore 111 Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator Code rt Lo / rt Hi: Room Temperature Sensor
On Kenmore bottom-freezer refrigerators with model numbers starting 111, a platform whose builder we could not identify, rt Lo or rt Hi reports that the ambient temperature sensor has failed. This sensor tells the control how…
- Code
- rt Lo / rt Hi
- Appliance
- Refrigerator
- Brand
- Kenmore
- Warranty
- 30-day workmanship
What rt Lo / rt Hi means
On Kenmore bottom-freezer refrigerators with model numbers starting 111, a platform whose builder we could not identify, rt Lo or rt Hi reports that the ambient temperature sensor has failed. This sensor tells the control how warm the kitchen is so it can adjust cooling. With it out of range, cooling may run slightly off, though the main cooling circuit is often still working.
Common causes of rt Lo / rt Hi
- Ambient (room) temperature sensor
- Sensor wiring and connector
- Control board input
1. Note whether the display reads rt Lo or rt Hi. 2. Keep the refrigerator away from heat sources such as an oven or direct sun if you can do so safely. 3. Leave a gap behind and above the cabinet for airflow. 4. Do not open the control housing yourself.
- Whether the sensor reading is out of range or something in the wiring is skewing it
- We test the circuit before replacing the sensor
- If the temperatures stay normal, this can wait for a convenient visit
Other Refrigerator codes
What does the ambient sensor do?
It tells the control how warm the room is, so cooling and anti-sweat settings can follow the conditions in your kitchen. It is a supporting reading and not the main cooling signal.
Is this urgent?
Less than a freezer or defrost problem. Watch your food temperatures, and call us if either compartment drifts, but a convenient visit is usually fine when the refrigerator is otherwise cooling normally.
Does moving the refrigerator help?
Giving it airflow and keeping it away from heat is good practice, but it will not repair a failed sensor. The code stays until the sensor or its wiring is corrected, however cool the room becomes.
Still unsure about rt Lo / rt Hi?
A technician diagnoses it on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.