VERIFIED
Command and response
The control board sends a command to start the compressor, and a relay or electronic switch delivers power. If the command is missing, the compressor never starts. If the command is present but power does not follow, the result looks the same from the kitchen. E34 hints at the board side of that chain. A relay is a small electrically operated switch, and when its contacts stick or burn it can fail to pass power even though the board commands it.
What you may hear and see
A relay click from the back of the cabinet, repeated every few minutes, followed by silence. The interior light and display working normally while the cooling does not. A cabinet that warms slowly over a day, rather than failing suddenly.
Frequent backdrops
- After a surge or an outage, which can leave a relay stuck.
- In kitchens with humid, salty air that corrodes contacts over the years.
- After a leak in the cabinet above that dripped on the machine compartment.
Steps a technician follows
First, confirm the incoming supply. Second, check whether the board sends the run command. Third, measure the output at the board and at the compressor terminals. Fourth, compare the result with the start device and overload protector. This sequence separates a board output from a compressor circuit fault. Measuring at both ends of the wire is what shows whether power is lost at the board or on the way to the compressor.
Observation tips for you
Write down how often the click occurs and whether any fan runs at the same moment. Use a thermometer to track the cabinet over several hours. Listen from a short distance, and never remove the rear cover or touch the electrical parts.
Food first
If the temperature crosses 40 degrees F, move perishables to a cooler with ice, and keep the freezer closed. Frozen items can hold their cold for many hours if the door stays shut.
What the estimate includes
Expect a written explanation of the measurements, the part or board repair proposed, and the price before work. Nothing is replaced without your approval, and the sealed refrigerant circuit is left alone unless measurements point there.
Photograph the model label and the area behind the cabinet if it is safely reachable without moving the unit.
Keeping the surroundings tidy
Vacuum the grille and the floor around the unit before the appointment, and clear a path to the machine area so the technician can work promptly. Pets and children should be kept away from the back of the cabinet during the visit.
Frequently asked questions
It may be a relay or protector trying to start the compressor. Record how often it repeats.
Not necessarily. The control output or start parts may be the cause.
Several hours if the door stays closed, though the time varies with how full it is.
Yes. Water on the machine compartment can damage electronics.
Model compatibility: Bertazzoni reuses codes across series and model years, so E34 may mean something different on another appliance or generation. Confirm this against your model’s documentation and record your full model number before acting.
