Magic Chef Wine Cooler reviews and complaints
E4 Error Message
I have owned a duel temperature zone Magic Chef wine cooler for just over a year. Earlier this month I noticed an E4 error message on the control panel, for the lower zone. The owners manual suggests calling Magic Chef customer service if you get this error message, which I did. The customer service agent was of no help and informed me that I would need to call A&E Service to fix the problem - on my dime! After speaking with Magic Chef I took a look on the internet to see if anyone else has reported this issue, only to find that this is a chronic problem! It is ridiculous that Magic Chef is able to get away with this scam. The product is clearly flawed, with this very common defect that tends to show up within the first 2 years of use! What is even more infuriating is that Home Depot is participating in this scam by continuing to distribute the Magic Chef product. This is a disgrace. If you are considering a Magic Chef product, do your homework, because the product quality is deplorable.
Company Business Name: Magic Chef
Country of complaint: United States
Address: California
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Evaporator fan motor
I purchased a Magic Chef 44 bottle dual zone wine cooler from Home Depot in November 2007. An appliance service technician has just left my house, telling me that the E4 error message for the lower unit display means the evaporator fan motor has conked out. I cringe to think what parts and labor will be, after having spent $80 for him to tell me this. Actually, I already had an inkling of the problem, after having read the numerous complaints about Magic Chef products, and this problem in particular. Magic Chef products are, in a word, junk. They look nice, and Home Depot will give you a good price, but the odds are that within two years you will be repairing or replacing the product. Pay more for something else, and spare yourself the time and trouble.
Company Business Name: Magic Chef
Country of complaint: United States
Address: Bonita Springs, Florida
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
The cutting wires to put together some say it fixes the wine cooler, yesterday I tried that and it was a same result still shows e3 and e4.
I have IC board problems over a year now, other electronic products have been destructed with damaged all IC boards area, I complain about possible Japanese attacks because I found some illegal activities of those workers I reported and I started to complain on Twitter etc. then it started since April 2016. One year now.
How many electric products were damaged, I trushed a lot in a year.
I suspect the computer area but I cut already, so it is costing for wires and some parts.
Then if it is not be fixed, I will replace the wine cooler. So Jade Refrigirator is not still fixed. It was expensive one,
Last year we asked a local technician to replace the computer board, it worked for a while, then we got a new tenant he was Chinese American, the day he came into the United, the refrigirator started to be damaged again.
I suspect possible remote attack against IC board area, or through the wire in BayArea. In fact, strange workers increased to make up stories a lot in 2015, 2016, so I try to stay away form unknown Japanese or bad Japanese now, then if I complain about how and what they are bad about in BayArea, then some of Japnese or people belong to or connect to those bad, but they attack our electronics, I could say they are aiming taking over USA or even individual businesses and they are terrorizing this way, but so sophisticated to use part of government or some public positions or sections. They could not do it all. why do they have to take over overseas, No thanks. Give us back our usual days, how could happen like that?
Hi jdati, we're very sorry to learn of your concerns with your Wine Cooler. Please contact our specialty team at [protected] for further assistance.
Here same thing happened to me, last year April we started to use magic Chief wine cooler after Jade refrigirator stopped working, both have same stinky smell now. The magic chief down part is cooling down, but upper side is not.
The wine cooler sitting over 7 years but started to be used last year April, so 1 year and one month now.
I suspect IC board attackers Becasue other products were damaged here in a year now, some replacement was worth.
I appreciate certain companies with 10 years parts replacement warranty they were kind.
Here is problem, my husband already spent over $800 last year trying fix Jade refrigirator it was not fixed.
But local service and not form such as Sears. Magic chief and Jade possibly fixed by Maytag so belong to KenMore whilpool but we don't get who exactly fix for those refrigirators now. Some might have work with 5 years warranty for next five years but the size does not match to our space. What is a wise option to not waste money from now?
Our Magic Chef 44 is only about 4 years old. No Error code. it just quit working. Plug it in and nothing. no motor, no fan, the front panel docent even light up. checked the circuit, it’s fine. power to the unit has been checked... Nothing...
JackedByMagicJack, you are right on with your easy fix. I printed out your instructions soon after I got the E codes, but waited far too long to fix this myself. You rock! I found my fix was a little tough in two areas, perhaps this will help someone else see their through. When pulling out the middle shelf (your step #7) it was pretty amazing to see just how many wires are stuffed into a very small hole in the middle of the shelf. There is not a lot of room to work with these connections, which are all joined together with unique connectors, but I suggest opening the door of the wine fridge as far open as you can as this will give you a little extra room to work with. Also be careful because one of the wire connections using the large white block connector can inadvertently be put back together upside down and none of your display will come back on. Just check it to make sure you've got pins going in holes, pretty simple but I goofed the first time. The second this I will mention is that I did not have but an inch or two of stubby little wires coming from the shelf, so the first thing I did was to put a two foot extension with black and red wires of the same gauge bought at Radio Shack for $7.99 to make re-installation all the easier. I twisted the wires together very well and used good electrical tape to protect them from moisture. Fridge is working fine now and my total material cost was $10, about two hours to do it including trips to the store. I might add that while you have the fridge apart, now is a good time to clean it all up and wipe out a small drain at the back.
Bao,
My 3 year old magic chef dual zone wine cooler recently got a E3 and E4 error also. i would like to try to fix this problem before calling a electrician. can you send or post your directions and pictures ? slee219@msn.com
thanks,
Sam
I purchased a 44 bottle dual wine cooler from Home Depot in Foley, Al and the temperature will not get below 65 degrees. I have not had the E4 error, is this the same problem. Sheryl
Magic Jack,
Thanks for the instructions. Right now my wine cooler seems to be working but I know sooner or later it will fail. I talked with one of the participants to this posting; his problem involved burnt out fans. He accessed the "fried" fans in his wine cooler, identified the model info, Googled where they could be purchased and ended up replacing them. Mike
Simple diagnosis and fix. Hope this can help someone.
Time to diagnosis and fix: 30 minutes Tools: Screwdriver ad wire cutters Cost: 10 cents (wire nuts) Degree of difficulty: 2 (If you can work a screwdriver you can do this (or at least determine if this is your problem)
Many e3/e4 problem are caused by the "connectors" for the fans to the middle separator shelf are put in the pathway of condensation. This causes them to get wet and rust.
1) Unplug the fridge
2) Remove all wine and the metal shelves
3) Open a bottle of red, pour a glass and set aside.
4) Remove the 2 screws from the middle separator shelf, one on each side on top (about 3 inches from the front)
5) Remove the 4 screws from the backboard, one in each corner
6) Slide out the middle shelf slowly, on the right hand side towards the front of the shelf you will expose the wiring.
7) Gently pull out the wires and expose 4 connectors you must disconnect before removing the shelf (they are tucked into the shelf).
8) With one hand on the backboard and one on the shelf, slowly take them out together
9) Once you have the backboard and shelf out, you'll see there is a black and white connector, each having a red and black wire on each side
10) These are the fan connectors that are causing the issue. Mine were brown/green and damp (not good for electricity)
11) Using wire cutters, cut as close as possible to the "black" connector on each side to remove it. You will have 4 wires left, 2 from the backboard and two from the shelf (both having a red and black)
12) Take some of the sheath (cover) off of each wire
13) Take the red wire from the backboard and the red wire from the shelf and twist the metal portion together. Use a wire nut to help secure the wires together.
14) Cover w/ electrical tape! Or you will have the same e3/e4 issue
15) Repeat step 13 and 14 for the black wires
16) Move onto the "white" connector and repeat steps 11 - 15
17) Put the backboard and shelf back in the fridge. Be careful not to pull the backboard and shelf apart or your connection may come apart
18) As you slide the shelf in, make sure the wires you disconnected in step 5 are in the "channel" on the side of the shelf or the shelf won't slide properly.
19) Reattached the 4 connectors and then re-attach the backboard and the shelf with the screws
20) Plug the fridge back in
21) Put the metal shelves and wine back in
22)Toast yourself for saving yourself $80 and drink the glass of wine you poured in step 3
Cringe at thinking that this was such a simple fix because makes me wonder what else might go wrong.
Thanks Jacked! Gonna give it a try later tonight. WTH...can't hurt lol.
Bao,
I, too, have a two year old 50 bottle Magic Chef Dual Zone Wine Cooler purchased at Home Depot. Recently the blue temperature display began flashing the letters "EEF". Efforts to manipulate the red/white and set buttons to restore the desired temperature setting have proved fruitless. At present it seems to be maintaining a relatively cool temperature but after reading some of the posts I feel it's only a matter of time before it fails completely. I would appreciate it greatly if you could email the Word document, with photos, detailing the procedure you used to fix the problem. My email is noahdog2@att.net.
Here is what happened with my Magic Chef Cooler. It was not popping, but making a loud racket every night. I pulled it out of the cabinet, and noticed the compressor was VERY hot. I dragged the unplugged cooler into the garage and unscrewed the back panel. It was so FULL of lint it was disgusting. Everything was coated, the thermostat coils, the fan, the compressor and the entire inside of cabinet. I turned on our air compressor and blew out all the dust and lint. Plugged it in, and noticed the little fan motor was making a little ticking sound as well. I unplugged the cooler again, and reached in and felt around the fan motor and noticed it had slipped down in it's metal bracket a bit. I took a quick-tie and strapped it back into place, cutting off the excess tie. I then sprayed some WD-40 on the tiny steel mechanism between the fan motor and the fan blade. Plugged the whole thing in and let in run in the garage all night. Put the back panel on and the compressor no longer very hot and whole thing is super quiet! Worked for me!
I purchased a MagicChef 40 bottlewine cooler 10 years ago and now after we smelled something burning from the back near compressor i pulled the appliance out from under the counter removed back and compressor is very hot .But after seeing all the issues people are having after 2 years i dont feel so bad dumping it at the curb after 10 . It was starting to make a clingy clangy noise last 2 years but i discovered the cooling fan was hitting against the metal cooling grates inside the back of the unit . Oh well time to go shopping ! Probably try a new brand though considering all these issues .
WE purchased a Magic Chef MCWC45A 18-bottle wine cooler refrigerator about 3-4 years ago. Looking up the model in the Magic Chef Website came up blank. They cannot recognize their own models. Our cooler recently started to make a popping noise that repeated every 30 minutes (matching one of the comments above). We noticed that the (LG Manufacture) compressor was very hot, so such so I could not put my fingers on it to see if we could detect that the noise was coming from the compressor (LG manufacture). After reading the complaints above, I agree with my fellow victims and I thank them because you have saved me time talking to or arguing with Home Depot or Magic Chef. Shame on you both Home Depot and Magic Chef for shirking your responsibilities to your customers. JD Colon - Stockton, Ca.
Same Story. Bought a Magic Chef dual Zone wine cooler from home depot and the compressor was out within a year.
My Magic Chef wine cooler, MCWC16MCG, died last week. It was an '05 Xmas gift; purchased at Home Depot in Seattle; operational for the last year in my home in Medford, OR. It is my belief that the Compressor has failed. Where can I take the unit for service?
Thank you for a prompt response.
Marlene Henselman
I also have a magic chef wine cooler purchased at Home Depot in Oct. of 2005. My compressor also went out. Compressor warrenty worthless. Looks like I'll be buying a new one. Definetly not Magic Chef.
I have a magic chef wine fridge model MCWBC77DZC, and just recently noticed that both zones were room temperature and won't adjust down to the settings we want. After opening the back I heard a loud clicking noise every few minutes and the compressor was hot to the touch. I ordered Relay part number 6R8MG item 1795921 (start relay) from repair clinic. After installing new relay, fridge started to cool but after about an hour it started clicking again and the compressor was hot. Any ideas?
I have a Vissani HVBC31ST that came from Home Depot. I think it is the same a Magic Chef. I need to replace the starter relay and I think the P6R8MD from Repair Clinic is the right one. But, the original only has one post to attach the wire from the relay and the new one has three posts. Is this a simple as just using the same post as the original and ignoring the other posts?
Guess I was luckier than most, as mine ran for almost 10 years before quitting.
After reading this column, I ordered and installed both the PTC Starter and the Overload that are plugged into the LG compressor. The unit started up, ran 20 minutes and stopped again.
While it was running (and cooling, I could hear the refrigerant circulating inside) I put my hand on top of the cabinet above the thermostat box and it was extremely hot. Is there a way to check the thermostat before I throw any more money at this thing?
Most of the replacement wine coolers are a couple of inches too tall for where I need to keep install it.
My Magic Chef 50 bottle wine cooler (MCWC50DST) stopped working the other day. I noticed my wine was warm and the temperature display was showing 74 degrees. Compressor was not running. I checked and noticed there was no electricity arriving to the compressor. I then went ahead and checked the board. I noticed a burnt connection which didn’t allow electricity to reach the plug that went to the compressor. I welded the connection in order to make connectivity, and then assembled everything back. I plugged the wine cooler and it started right away. I was lucky that it was an easy fix with no parts, just 30 minutes of troubleshooting and 2 minute weld.