Bosch Refrigerator rD Marks the Fresh Food Defrost Sensor

What rD means

Here the trouble sits on the fresh food evaporator: rD reports that its defrost sensor is open or shorted. Just as with the freezer-side probe, the control loses the number it relies on to know a defrost has finished its work. The manual's remedy is to put in a new sensor on that evaporator, and the code number tells us which of the two evaporators to open first.

Common causes of rD

Defrost sensor on the fresh food side that has failed or shorted
Connector CN15 that is not fully pushed home
Wiring harm behind the compartment liner

✓ One safe check you can try

1. Compare the two sections: is the fresh food side warmer than set while the freezer seems normal? 2. Look at the back wall for any ice. 3. Write down what you see and for how many days. It tells us which evaporator to look at first, so mention it when you call.

! Why to stop there

Getting to the fresh food evaporator means removing panels, and a cracked panel lets warm air leak in.
The sensor only reports a state, so a wiring problem can be mistaken for a sensor failure.
Letting the code sit lets ice build up, cutting airflow and making the refrigerator work harder.

Opening a panel yourself does not automatically cancel a manufacturer warranty, but it can cause accidental damage, and some manufacturers set their own service conditions. Check your warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.

→Same appliance

Other Refrigerator codes

C1Bosch Refrigerator C1 Means the Compressor Runs but the Cabinet Will Not Cool F3Bosch Refrigerator F3 Shows a Freezer Defrost That Timed Out r3Bosch Refrigerator r3 Shows a Fresh Food Defrost That Timed Out ESBosch Refrigerator ES Means a Dispenser Button Reads as Pressed drBosch Refrigerator dr Means the Fresh Food Door Reads as Open dFBosch Refrigerator dF Means the Freezer Drawer Reads as Open E21Bosch Refrigerator E21 Means the Dispenser Module Stopped Responding F1Bosch Refrigerator F1 Shows the Freezer Sensor Reads Open or Shorted

rDrD questions

How is rD different from FD?

FD belongs to the freezer defrost sensor, and rD to the one on the fresh food side. Each sits on its own evaporator and reports separately.

Why is the fridge side warm while the freezer is fine?

That pattern fits a problem on the fresh food evaporator, such as an ice buildup or a lost defrost reading. We check it directly with the power safely off.

Does the repair cost a lot?

The sensor itself is a small part. We give you a written price after diagnosis, and we start only when you approve it. We keep the cost clear before starting.