U-Line Ice Maker Evap T Open: Evaporator Sensor Open Circuit
Evap T Open on a U-Line ice maker means the evaporator thermistor circuit is broken, so the control has no evaporator temperature and ice making may stop or behave oddly.
What does U-Line ice machine code Evap T Open mean?
Evap T Open is the message a U-Line ice maker shows when its evaporator thermistor circuit is open. An open circuit is a break in the path, so the sensor reading never reaches the board and the evaporator temperature is unknown. A loose or damaged connector on the thermistor, a thermistor that has gone bad, or damage somewhere along the wiring can each make the break. The display names the sensor and the kind of break, not the exact spot where it happens.
Evap T Open at a glance
- Code
- Evap T Open
- Appliance
- U-Line ice machine
- Applies to
- U-Line ice makers using an evaporator thermistor
- Type
- Needs attention soon
- Can you clear it yourself?
- Sometimes, after the safe checks below
- Most likely cause
- A loose or damaged connector at the evaporator thermistor
What you may notice with Evap T Open
- The display shows Evap T Open
- Ice production slows down or stops
- The unit may cycle on and off without finishing ice
- The bin has less ice than you expect
How the ice machine detects Evap T Open
An ice maker freezes water on a cold surface called the evaporator, and the control needs to know how cold that surface is at each stage. A thermistor on the evaporator does that job. Its electrical resistance shifts with temperature, so the board reads the sensor as a changing value and decides when to keep freezing and when to move to the next step.
When the board sees no path at all through that sensor, it treats the circuit as open. Instead of guessing at the evaporator temperature, it flags Evap T Open. The control cannot safely run the freeze cycle without that reading, so the unit may stop making ice or behave erratically until the connection is restored.
Likely causes of Evap T Open
- A loose or damaged connector at the evaporator thermistor
- An evaporator thermistor that has stopped working
- Damage to the wiring between the sensor and the control
Can you keep using the ice machine with Evap T Open?
It is fine to leave the ice maker plugged in while you wait for a visit, but do not expect normal ice production. The control cannot read the evaporator, so it may not run the cycle as designed. If you see water leaking, hear unusual noises or smell something hot, switch the unit off at the breaker and leave it off.
What you can safely check
- Stop the ice maker, then unplug it or switch off its breaker, and shut the water supply valve if one is within easy reach.
- Wait about a minute and restore power.
- Watch whether Evap T Open returns when the unit starts making ice again.
- Look for water on the floor or a cabinet panel that has been knocked loose, without opening anything.
- If the code returns, call us and tell us whether ice is still being produced.
What our technician does for Evap T Open
- Check the evaporator thermistor connector for looseness or damage
- Measure the thermistor to see whether the sensor itself has failed
- Inspect the wiring from the sensor back to the control for breaks
How to keep Evap T Open from coming back
- Keep water and cleaning sprays away from the back and lower panels
- Avoid pushing the unit hard against the wall, which can pinch wiring and connectors
- Do not pull cables or tubes when moving the ice maker for cleaning
- Use a surge protector so storms do not damage the sensors and board
Technical reference
- Code
- Evap T Open
- Appliance
- U-Line ice machine
- Control family
- U-Line ice makers using an evaporator thermistor
- Maker documentation
- U-Line owner manuals and support
- Checked
- November 2026
Code meanings come from the maker’s documentation and our own repair work; we do not reprint the maker’s document. Confirm the full model number before acting on a code. We are an independent repair company, not affiliated with U-Line Corporation.
Related U-Line ice machine error codes
Evap T Open questions
Which part is the evaporator thermistor?
It is the temperature sensor that watches the evaporator, the cold surface where water is turned into ice. The control uses its reading to follow the ice-making cycle, so losing it affects how the unit decides what to do.
Does open mean the same as short?
No. Open means the sensor circuit is broken, while short means the circuit is bridged. Each sends a different electrical signal to the board, and your unit shows a separate message for each.
Can I still use the ice that is in the bin?
The ice already in the bin is a separate matter from the sensor problem. If it looks clean and has been held cold, many owners use it, but if you doubt it, discard it and wait for the unit to be checked.
Will the code clear on its own after a restart?
A restart sometimes lets the board read the sensor again if a connector was just loose. If the circuit is really broken, the code returns quickly, and that tells you a part or wire needs attention.
What details help you most when I call?
Give us the exact message, Evap T Open, whether the unit still makes any ice, and whether water or noise has changed. That lets us bring a thermistor and connector parts that fit your U-Line ice maker.
Need help with Evap T Open?
A technician finds the cause at your bar or lanai and puts the price in writing before any part comes out.