Hoshizaki Ice Machine 2 Beeps: Harvest Backup Timer
Two beeps on a Hoshizaki KM or KMH ice machine mean the harvest backup timer ran out: harvest took more than 20 minutes on two cycles in a row. The orange H TIMER LED lights on E boards. Press ALARM RESET with power on after the cause is fixed.
High: the machine stops until the cause is fixed and reset.
- Code
- 2 beeps
- Maker
- Hoshizaki
- Equipment
- Ice machines
- Applies to
- KM / KMD / KML / KMS crescent cubers, "E", "G" and "J" control boards (KM-1301 to KM-2600, KMD-460/530, KML-250 to 631, KMS-822)
What does Hoshizaki error code 2 beeps mean?
A harvest normally lasts a few minutes: hot gas warms the evaporator until the ice slab releases and drops. The control runs a backup timer to catch a harvest that is not finishing. If harvest takes more than 20 minutes on two cycles in a row, the machine stops and sounds two beeps. On E boards, the orange H TIMER LED also lights. The manual lists six causes: an open thermistor, a hot gas valve (HGV) not opening, a TXV or LLV leaking by, a low refrigerant charge, an inefficient compressor, and a WRV leaking by. Each of these keeps the evaporator from warming enough to release ice, or makes it cool again too fast. The alarm is reset with the ALARM RESET button while the power is on, but resetting without fixing the cause only brings the alarm back. Because most of the causes are in the sealed refrigeration circuit, this is not an operator repair.
Affected models and control systems
KM-1301SAH/3 through KM-2500 and KMH-2000 stackable cubers with E and G control boards; the same table appears in the manual for the KMD-460/530 and KML-250 to 631 G-board models.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- Two beeps and a stopped machine
- Orange H TIMER LED on E boards
- Ice stuck to the evaporator
- Cycle that ends without a harvest
Possible causes
Listed in Hoshizaki's documentation
- Open thermistor
- HGV not opening
- TXV or LLV leaking by
- Low charge
- Inefficient compressor
- WRV leaking by
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code 2 beeps on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A hot gas valve coil that has weakened and does not open fully
- Scale on the evaporator that makes ice cling longer
- A low ambient or water temperature that slows the harvest
Safe checks before calling for service
- Check that the water supply and the room temperature are in the normal range.
- Look at the ice on the evaporator and note whether a slab is stuck.
- Press ALARM RESET with power on only after the cause has been dealt with.
- Write down the model and which LED lit, then call service.
How a technician diagnoses error code 2 beeps
- Confirm the 2-beep alarm and the H TIMER LED on E boards.
- Time a harvest and watch whether the evaporator warms.
- Check the evaporator thermistor and the hot gas valve operation.
- Check the TXV, LLV and WRV for leaking by, and measure the system charge.
- Test the compressor and replace the failed part after measurement.
- Charge, valve and compressor checks are on the sealed refrigerant circuit and need licensed tools.
- Hot gas valve and relay tests are on live circuits.
- Six causes share one alarm, so measurements decide the repair.
How error code 2 beeps differs from similar codes
2 beeps is the harvest backup timer; 3 beeps is the freeze timer, with a yellow F TIMER LED on E boards.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Hoshizaki owner support
- Edition
- Number 73208, issued 7-7-2015, revised 8-11-2015
- Models / control
- KM / KMD / KML / KMS crescent cubers, "E", "G" and "J" control boards (KM-1301 to KM-2600, KMD-460/530, KML-250 to 631, KMS-822)
- Section
- III.B. LED Lights and Audible Alarm Safeties, pp. 49-50
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Hoshizaki ice machine error codes
Should I press ALARM RESET?
Only after the cause is fixed, and with the power on. Otherwise the alarm returns.
What is the orange LED?
On E boards the orange H TIMER LED accompanies the 2-beep harvest backup timer alarm.
Is the machine broken?
It has stopped to protect itself. The cause needs diagnosis.
Need help with Hoshizaki error code 2 beeps?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.