How to Replace the Temperature Sensor on a Whirlpool WFE515S0JS Oven & Range — Step-by-Step Instructions
Step-by-step instructions for the Whirlpool WFE515S0JS (electric range, smooth glass top). Parts and access points can differ slightly by production year — the steps below cover the common layout for this platform, and the model notes flag its quirks.
Unplug the range or flip its breaker. The sensor circuit is low-voltage but lives next to 240V wiring.
Tools
- Nut driver
- Multimeter
- Oven thermometer ($10, for verification)
Parts
- Temperature sensor (RTD probe) for your model
Step by step
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1 Verify with a thermometer first
Hang a $10 oven thermometer, set 350°F, and check after 20 minutes. Within ~25°F is normal (use the oven’s calibration offset instead); 50°F+ off points at the sensor.
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2 Test the sensor
Unplug the range, find the thin probe at the cavity’s upper rear, and measure resistance at its connector: roughly 1080–1100 ohms at room temperature on most ovens. Far off = replace.
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3 Unscrew and withdraw
Two screws hold the probe’s flange to the back wall. Pull it into the oven cavity until the connector appears, then unplug it. Don’t lose the wire into the insulation.
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4 Fit the new probe
Connect, feed the wiring back, and screw the flange home.
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5 Re-verify
Same thermometer test — the dial and the thermometer should now agree within ~15°F. Fine-tune with the calibration setting if you like.
Whirlpool WFE515S0JS notes & error codes
On any F3 code, measure the sensor at room temperature before ordering — about 1,080 ohms is the target on this platform. A sensor reading well high is the fault; a sensor reading correctly points at the harness or the control instead.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| F2E1 | Runaway oven temperature — sensor or control fault |
| F3E0 | Oven temperature sensor open |
| F3E1 | Oven temperature sensor shorted |
| F5E1 | Door lock switch fault |
| F9E0 | Door latch will not reach the unlocked position |
Full details for this machine — common problems, causes, and costs — are in the Whirlpool WFE515S0JS repair guide. The general version of these instructions is here.
If a new sensor reads right but temps still swing wildly, the control board’s relay is cycling badly — board-level work worth a pro’s meter. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a oven & range repair pro near you →
What this repair costs professionally
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