Oven display shows F02 and heating stops, often shortly after starting a program

Safety first: Disconnect the oven from mains power before removing any panels or touching internal wiring.

Step-by-step checks:

• 1. Locate the temperature sensor: On most Zanussi ovens, the sensor is a small metal probe protruding from the rear or top of the oven cavity, secured with 1-2 screws.
• 2. Inspect the sensor and wiring: Remove the rear cover. Follow the sensor wires to the connector on the main PCB. Check for burnt, cut, or pinched wires and loose connectors. Reseat the connector firmly.
• 3. Measure sensor resistance: Disconnect the sensor plug and measure resistance with a multimeter. At room temperature (20-25°C), most Zanussi NTC sensors read roughly 500-1100 Ω (check service data if available). An open circuit (OL) or near 0 Ω indicates a faulty sensor.
• 4. Check continuity of harness: If the sensor tests correctly, check continuity from the sensor connector to the PCB connector to rule out a broken wire in the harness.
• 5. Replace faulty component: If the sensor is out of spec, replace it with a genuine Zanussi oven temperature sensor. If the wiring and sensor are good but F02 persists, the main control board's sensor input is likely defective, and the board should be replaced.

Warning: Do not operate the oven with a bypassed or short-circuited sensor; this can cause overheating and fire risk.