True Refrigerator Error Code Con: Condenser Alarm
Con on a True commercial refrigerator with a Danfoss ERC control is the condenser alarm. The manual describes it as a dirty or overheating condenser. Check that the condenser coil and the air path around it are clear, and call a technician if the code stays.
Medium: the unit may still cool for a while, but a hot condenser can lead to warm product if it is left.
- Code
- Con
- Maker
- True
- Equipment
- Reach-in refrigerators
- Applies to
- TRUE commercial refrigeration appliances with Carel, Danfoss (ERC, ETC), Dixell and LAE display controls
What does True error code Con mean?
Con is the condenser alarm shown on the Danfoss ERC display of a True commercial refrigerator. The control reads a condenser temperature input and compares it with an alarm limit. When the reading passes that limit, it puts Con on the display so the operator knows heat is not leaving the refrigeration system the way it should. The manual's definitions table gives only the label, Condenser alarm, plus a short line saying the alarm points to a dirty or overheating condenser. A hot condenser makes the compressor work harder and the cabinet temperature can climb, which is why this alarm deserves attention even though the refrigerator may still be cooling when you first see it.
Affected models and control systems
True lists Con in the Display Code Definitions for its commercial refrigeration appliances. The entry belongs to the Danfoss ERC control; the same section also covers Carel, Dixell and LAE displays, which use their own code sets.
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
- Con shown on the Danfoss display
- Cabinet temperature slowly drifting warmer than usual
- Condenser fan not heard running, or the compressor running almost without a break
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind error code Con on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Condenser coil dirty or overheating, as the manual describes the alarm
- Grease and lint blanket on the coil in a kitchen where the unit sits near a fryer or grill
- Unit pushed against the wall so the condenser cannot pull in room air
- Condenser fan motor stopped or turning slowly, so heat stays in the coil
Safe checks before calling for service
- Check that nothing is stacked in front of or on top of the unit and that the louvers or grille are open.
- With the unit unplugged, look at the condenser coil through the grille for a visible mat of dust or grease.
- Do not open electrical panels. Plug the unit back in and see whether Con returns after the coil area is clear.
- Write down when the alarm began, the cabinet temperature shown and whether the fan can be heard, for the service call.
How a technician diagnoses error code Con
- Read the display code and any alarm history on the Danfoss ERC and note the cabinet temperature.
- Inspect the condenser coil for grease, lint and blocked airflow, and clean it with the power off.
- Confirm the condenser fan spins freely and draws normal current.
- Check the alarm limit parameter in the control against the unit's data, and look at head pressure on the refrigeration circuit.
- Replace a fan motor, probe or other part only after the matching test fails.
- Cleaning a coil near the fan and wiring means working around live 115 V or 208-230 V parts that need to be isolated first.
- Checking head pressure and refrigerant charge requires gauges and handling of a sealed refrigerant circuit.
- Changing alarm limits inside the control without the unit's data can hide a real overheating problem.
How error code Con differs from similar codes
The Danfoss ERC uses Con, while the Carel, Dixell and LAE displays on other True units show their own wording for similar condenser problems.
Technical reference
- Document
- Commercial Refrigeration General Control Guide
- Edition
- TEC_TM_001 | REV. C | EN, 09/3/2025, P#811072
- Models / control
- TRUE commercial refrigeration appliances with Carel, Danfoss (ERC, ETC), Dixell and LAE display controls
- Section
- Electronic Control (with Display) - Display Code Definitions: Carel p. 74, Danfoss ERC/ETC p. 87, Dixell p. 96, LAE p. 110
- 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 True reach-in refrigerator error codes
Can I keep using the refrigerator while Con is showing?
Only for a short time and with a close eye on food temperature. A hot condenser can lead to warm product, so move food if the cabinet starts to warm.
Will Con clear on its own?
It may clear once the condenser cools, for example after a hot spell or after a blocked grille is opened. If it keeps returning, the coil or fan needs service.
Is Con the same as a high temperature alarm?
No. Con refers to the condenser. A cabinet high temperature alarm refers to the product space and can follow a condenser problem.
Need help with True error code Con?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.