Montpellier FE fridge freezer: what it means & what to check

What FE actually means

One of the temperature sensors inside the fridge freezer has stopped giving a believable reading, so the control board has flagged it and set off the alarm.

The control board checks each sensor constantly and expects a sensible temperature back. If a reading comes in above roughly +50°C or below -50°C, the board treats the sensor as short-circuited or broken open and shows FE along with the red SR alarm and a beep. The two digits after FE tell you which sensor: 01 is the freezer sensor, 02 the fridge (cooler) sensor, 03 the defrost sensor and 04 the serpentine sensor. Because the board no longer trusts that reading, temperature control and the defrost cycle can't run properly.

What FE looks like on a Montpellier fridge freezer

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Montpellier fridge freezer, FE usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
Not cooling
Freezer not freezing
Ice building up at the back
Food going off in the fridge
Running constantly and never getting cold

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

A failed temperature sensor (thermistor) in the compartment named by the digits after FE
A damaged or chafed sensor wire, or a connector that has worked loose
Moisture or ice getting into a sensor connection, common with the defrost and serpentine sensors
A fault on the control board itself, so it misreads a sensor that is actually fine

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Note the two digits shown after FE and write them down — they tell the engineer which sensor is at fault and save time on the visit.
Switch the appliance off at the socket for a minute, then back on. If the reading was a momentary glitch the alarm will clear; if the sensor has genuinely failed, FE returns.
Check the fridge and freezer are actually still getting cold, and move anything valuable from the freezer if it is softening.
Make sure both doors are shutting fully and no packet or shelf is holding a seal open, as heavy frosting around a sensor can bring on a defrost sensor fault.

Which Montpellier models show FE

FE means the same thing on this model. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

MFF186ALX

Common questions about Montpellier FE

What does FE mean on a Montpellier fridge freezer?

One of the temperature sensors inside the fridge freezer has stopped giving a believable reading, so the control board has flagged it and set off the alarm. The control board checks each sensor constantly and expects a sensible temperature back. If a reading comes in above roughly +50°C or below -50°C, the board treats the sensor as short-circuited or broken open and shows FE along with the red SR alarm and a beep. The two digits after FE tell you which sensor: 01 is the freezer sensor, 02 the fridge (cooler) sensor, 03 the defrost sensor and 04 the serpentine sensor. Because the board no longer trusts that reading, temperature control and the defrost cycle can't run properly.

Can I fix Montpellier FE myself?

There are 4 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Note the two digits shown after FE and write them down — they tell the engineer which sensor is at fault and save time on the visit.
Switch the appliance off at the socket for a minute, then back on. If the reading was a momentary glitch the alarm will clear; if the sensor has genuinely failed, FE returns.
Check the fridge and freezer are actually still getting cold, and move anything valuable from the freezer if it is softening.
Make sure both doors are shutting fully and no packet or shelf is holding a seal open, as heavy frosting around a sensor can bring on a defrost sensor fault.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Montpellier FE?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing FE?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most fridge freezer faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other Montpellier fridge freezer codes

All Montpellier fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Montpellier FE error — fridge freezer