What F3 means

The discharge sensor monitors the hot gas leaving the compressor. If it fails, the board cannot protect the compressor from overheating, so it stops with F3. This is different from the compressor actually overheating — F3 means the sensor itself is broken.

How to fix it

  1. Power off and wait for the compressor to cool (at least 15 minutes).
  2. Locate the sensor — clamped to the compressor discharge pipe (the hottest pipe on the outdoor unit).
  3. Check for heat damage — the wire insulation may have melted.
  4. Reseat the connector at the outdoor PCB.
  5. Measure resistance — replace if faulty.
  6. Use heat-resistant cable ties when routing the new sensor wire near the compressor.