Kold-Draft Ice Machine Error Code 10: Evaporator Over 120 F

What does Kold-Draft error code 10 mean?

During an ice cycle the evaporator should be cold or only briefly warmed for harvest. The K4B controller reads the evaporator probe, and if the temperature goes above 120 F, it shuts the machine down and lights the Code 10 LED: 10 (evaporator temperature over 120 F, LED 10). The manual lists four causes. The evaporator probe or its wiring may be bad or shorted, so the control reads a false temperature. The hot gas valve may be stuck open, so hot gas keeps flowing after harvest. The control board may be bad. Or the actuator motor may not raise the water plate, so the harvest cannot finish and the evaporator stays warm. The technician also checks whether the hot gas valve closes after the water plate closes. Reset the controller to clear the code. Code 10 was removed on boards Rev 1.6 and higher, so a newer board will not show it.

Affected models and control systems

Kold-Draft cube makers GT36x, GT56x, GB56x and GB106x with the K4B controller, and only while the board is Rev 1.1 to 1.5. From Rev 1.6 up, the code is gone.

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

• LED 10 lit on the controller
• Machine stopped with no ice being made
• Evaporator warm to the touch after harvest

Possible causes

Listed in Kold-Draft's documentation

• Bad (shorted) evaporator probe or wiring
• Hot gas valve stuck open
• Bad control board
• Actuator motor will not raise the water plate

Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code 10 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.

• Scale or ice binding the water plate so it cannot reach the plate-up position
• A hot gas valve coil that stays energized because of a failing relay

Safe checks before calling for service

How a technician diagnoses error code 10

1. Read the code and confirm the board is Rev 1.1 to 1.5.
2. Check the evaporator probe and its wiring against ground and resistance.
3. Watch the hot gas valve to see that it closes when the water plate closes.
4. Test the actuator motor and the water plate travel.
5. Replace the probe, valve, motor or board only after the test.

How error code 10 differs from similar codes

Code 50, harvest cycle too long, was also removed on Rev 1.6 and higher. Code 10 sits beside it among the codes only found on Rev 1.1 to 1.5.

Technical reference

Maker documentation

Kold-Draft owner support

Edition

Copyright 2015 Kold-Draft International; file named 'new 60 Series Service Manual rev041317' (Kold-Draft says it may not be current)

Models / control

Kold-Draft 60 Series electronic controller (K4B boards, revisions 1.1 to 1.80)

Section

Controller - Fault Codes (revision notes, pp. 21-22) and ERROR-CODE TROUBLESHOOTING (p. 23 onward)

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.