Cooker
F02
The F02 error code on a Leisure cooker indicates a fault with the oven’s temperature sensor (also called the NTC probe or thermostat sensor), meaning the appliance cannot accurately read the internal oven temperature and has shut down as a safety precaution. It’s a moderately serious fault — your oven won’t heat until it’s resolved — but in many cases it’s fixable without a costly call-out. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what the F02 code means, the most likely causes, safe DIY steps you can try at home, and honest advice on when to call a professional and what it’s likely to cost.
What does this error mean?
On Leisure cookers — including popular ranges like the Leisure Cookmaster, Gourmet, and freestanding electric range cookers — the F02 error code signals that the oven temperature sensor (NTC probe) has either failed, become disconnected, or is sending a reading outside the expected range to the main control board. In plain terms: your cooker has a small sensor inside the oven cavity that constantly monitors the temperature. When the control board asks ‘how hot is it in there?’ and gets no answer, a wrong answer, or a reading that’s physically impossible (such as -40°C or over 300°C when the oven is cold), it throws the F02 fault and refuses to operate. This is a deliberate safety feature — an oven that can’t measure its own temperature could overheat dangerously. The fault may be in the sensor itself, the wiring connecting it to the control board, or in some cases the control board itself.
Est. repair cost
DIY sensor replacement: £15–£40 for the part. Professional repair (sensor replacement including call-out): £80–£150. Control board replacement (professional): £180–£320.
🔍 Likely causes
🛠️ Step-by-step fix
Step 1 — Perform a full power reset: Switch the cooker off at the wall socket or isolate it at the fuse spur/consumer unit. Leave it completely unpowered for at least 5 minutes, then restore power and test the oven. This clears any temporary electronic fault and costs nothing.
Step 2 — Check your model’s manual: Leisure produce a wide range of cookers and the F02 definition can vary slightly between ranges. Download your specific model’s manual from the Leisure website (leisure.com) using your model number (printed on a label inside the oven door frame) to confirm the fault description before doing anything else.
Step 3 — Inspect the sensor probe visually (oven cold and unplugged): Open the oven door and look for the temperature sensor — it’s typically a thin metal rod or probe, roughly 3–5 cm long, mounted to the back wall or top-rear of the oven cavity, held by one or two small screws. Check that it isn’t visibly damaged, bent, cracked, or heavily coated in grease or food residue. Do this with the oven completely cold and the power disconnected at the wall.
Step 4 — Clean around the sensor probe: Using a soft cloth or cotton bud dampened with warm soapy water (not spray oven cleaner, which can damage sensors), gently clean around the base of the probe and the surrounding area. Grease build-up can sometimes cause false readings. Allow to dry fully before restoring power.
Step 5 — Check the sensor connector (only if comfortable doing so): The sensor wires run through the back of the oven cavity to a connector, usually accessible by removing the back panel of the oven cavity (secured with screws). With the cooker fully unplugged, remove the panel and locate the two-pin sensor connector. Press it firmly together to ensure it’s fully seated. If the connector looks burnt, corroded, or melted, do not proceed — call a professional.
Step 6 — Test the sensor resistance with a multimeter (DIY-confident users only): A healthy NTC temperature sensor on a Leisure cooker typically reads between 900Ω and 1,100Ω at room temperature (approximately 20°C). Disconnect the sensor connector and use a multimeter set to resistance (Ω) across the two sensor terminals. A reading of 0Ω (short circuit) or OL/infinite (open circuit) confirms a failed sensor that needs replacing. You’ll need a basic digital multimeter (available from £10–£20 at Screwfix or Amazon).
Step 7 — Replace the temperature sensor if confirmed faulty: Leisure oven NTC sensors are widely available from UK spare parts suppliers including eSpares, 4ourhouse, and Rangemaster Parts (Leisure is part of the AGA Rangemaster Group). Search using your full model number. The sensor is usually held by one or two screws and the wiring connector simply unplugs — no soldering required. Replacement sensors typically cost £15–£40. Always ensure the cooker is unplugged before replacing any part.
Step 8 — Restore power and run a test cycle: After replacing the sensor or reseating the connector, restore power and set the oven to a moderate temperature (e.g., 180°C). Monitor it for 10 minutes. If the F02 error does not return and the oven heats normally, the fault is resolved.
Step 9 — If the error persists after sensor replacement, stop DIY: A returning F02 after a confirmed sensor replacement points to a wiring loom fault or a failed control board. Both of these involve working deeper into the appliance’s electrical components and should be handled by a qualified appliance repair engineer.
📞 When to call a professional
You should call a qualified appliance repair engineer if: the error returns after a full power reset and you are not comfortable using a multimeter; the wiring connector looks burnt, corroded, or damaged; the error persists after you’ve replaced the temperature sensor with a known-good part; or if you suspect a control board fault. When you call, tell the engineer: ‘My Leisure cooker is showing an F02 error code. I’ve already tried a power reset [and, if applicable, replaced the NTC temperature sensor]. The error has returned.’ This saves diagnostic time and reduces your call-out cost. Look for an engineer who specialises in range cookers or domestic ovens — search for a Domestic and General approved repairer or check the Leisure/AGA Rangemaster service network via their website. Note: although Leisure produce some dual-fuel range cookers (electric oven, gas hob), the F02 fault code relates to the electric oven section only. However, if your cooker has a gas hob and any gas-related work is needed at the same time, only a Gas Safe registered engineer should touch the gas components.
⚖️ Repair or replace?
If your Leisure cooker is under 7 years old, repair is almost always the right call. The most common F02 fix — replacing the NTC temperature sensor — is inexpensive (£15–£40 for the part) and straightforward. Even a full professional call-out including sensor replacement should come in under £120–£150, which is very reasonable compared to the cost of a new range cooker. Leisure range cookers (particularly the Cookmaster and Gourmet series) typically retail between £700 and £1,800 new, so a £100 repair on a 4-year-old cooker is excellent value. If the fault turns out to be a control board failure, costs rise to £150–£300 for parts and labour. At that point, factor in the cooker’s age: if it’s over 8–10 years old and this isn’t the first repair, replacing becomes more financially sensible. Leisure parts availability is generally good through the AGA Rangemaster Group supply chain, so parts for models up to around 10 years old are usually obtainable. Always get a written quote before authorising a control board replacement.