HVACopedia

Gree · Heat pump

F3 Outdoor ambient sensor open or shorted

Medium severity Gree SapphireGree Livo GEN4Gree Vireo GEN3Gree Multi21+

What the control is telling you

The control reads an out-of-range value from the outdoor ambient thermistor (open circuit or short).

Applies to: Gree Sapphire 9-24k (SAP..HP230V1A), Livo GEN4 30-36k (4LIV..HP230V1A), Vireo GEN3 9-24k (3VIR..HP115/230V1A), Multi21+ 18-24k multi-zone (MULTI..HP230V1CO)

Likely causes

  • Outdoor ambient sensor unplugged, loose or with poor pin contact
  • Sensor element damaged
  • Wire chafed or shorted, or board parts touching
  • outdoor board sensing circuit faulty

Test and repair steps

  1. Kill power, then reseat the sensor plug on the board and look for corroded or loose pins.
  2. Unplug the sensor and measure its resistance; compare it with the sensor temperature/resistance chart in the service manual for the actual pipe or air temperature.
  3. Check the sensor lead for chafing or crushed wire and look for parts on the board bent over and touching (short).
  4. Replace the sensor with the same part if it reads open, shorted or far off the chart.
  5. If the sensor and plug are good and the code stays, replace the board that reads it.

Models that show this code

14 models in Gree Sapphire, Gree Livo GEN4, Gree Vireo GEN3, Gree Multi21+

3VIR09HP115V1A3VIR09HP230V1A3VIR12HP115V1A3VIR12HP230V1A3VIR18HP230V1A3VIR24HP230V1A4LIV30HP230V1AH4LIV36HP230V1AHMULTI18HP230V1COMULTI24HP230V1COSAP09HP230V1AHSAP12HP230V1AHSAP18HP230V1AHSAP24HP230V1AH

Other codes on the same units

  • E9 Cold air prevention (status)
  • F0 Low refrigerant / refrigerant blocked protection
  • F1 Indoor room air sensor open or shorted
  • F2 Indoor coil sensor open or shorted
  • F4 Outdoor coil (condenser middle) sensor open or shorted
  • F5 Compressor discharge sensor open or shorted
  • F6 Compressor slowed - overload
  • F8 Compressor slowed - high current

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Source: Gree Sapphire 9-12k (SAP09-12HP230V1A) service.pdf - section 9.1 Error Code List / 9.2 Procedure of Troubleshooting; Gree Sapphire 18-24k (SAP18-24HP230V1A) service.pdf - section 9.1 Error Code List / 9.2 Procedure of Troubleshooting; Gree Livo GEN4 30-36k (4LIV30-36HP230V1A) service.pdf - section 9.1 Error Code List / 9.2 Procedure of Troubleshooting; Gree Vireo GEN3 9-24k (3VIR..HP115-230V1A) service GREE_VIREOGEN3_SERVICE_090921.pdf - section 9.1 Error Code List / 9.2 Procedure of Troubleshooting; Gree Multi21+ multi-zone 18-24k (MULTI18-24HP230V1CO) service.pdf - section 9.1 Malfunction status sheet / 9.2 Malfunction Checking and Elimination. Summarized in our own words; check the original manual for your model.

Homeowner looking at this code? See what it means for you and when to call a technician.

For licensed technicians. Gas, electrical and refrigerant work must be done by a qualified, licensed person. Shut off power and gas before servicing, never bypass a safety control, and follow the manufacturer’s manual for the exact model; it and local codes always take priority. HVACopedia is not affiliated with any manufacturer; brand and model names only identify the equipment.