How House Works

Fujitsu code A3: compressor temperature error

By How House Works EditorialBased on Fujitsu manualsChecked against sources Updated

Fujitsu display

A3

“Compressor temperature error (Outdoor unit)”

KPAS, KPBS, KNAS, KZAS, KTAS, LZBS, LZAS · KPAS/KPBS service p. 03-3; KNAS service p. 03-3; KZAS service p. 03-3; KTAS service p. 03-3; LZBS service p. 03-2; LZAS service p. 03-2
Technician

OPERATION 10 / TIMER 3 (A = 10 blinks). Set when the compressor makes a protection stop at a compressor temperature of 226°F (108°C) or more twice within 24 hours (KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-66). Not in the KMAS, ASLH, LMAS or LPAS tables. KPAS installation manual: “Compressor temp. error” (KPAS Installation Manual, p. En-16).

What it means

Code A3 is a compressor temperature error. The A counts as ten blinks, so in the installation manuals’ lamp tables A3 is ten OPERATION blinks and three TIMER blinks, repeated, while ECONOMY blinks fast KPAS Installation Manual, p. En-16; LZBS Installation Manual, p. En-11; RLS3 Installation Manual, p. En-12.

The outdoor unit’s main PCB stops the compressor when the compressor temperature reaches 226°F (108°C) or more during operation. A3 is set when that protection stop happens twice within 24 hours KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-66. In that manual’s mobile app table the code is A3.1, “Outdoor unit compressor 1 temperature error” KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-9.

The causes the manual lists KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-66:

  • a 3-way valve that is not open;
  • a defective electronic expansion valve (EEV) or a clogged strainer;
  • an outdoor unit that does not operate properly, or foreign matter on its heat exchanger;
  • a failed compressor temperature thermistor;
  • insufficient refrigerant;
  • a failed main PCB.

A3 is in the service manual tables of KPAS, KPBS, KNAS, KZAS, KTAS, LZBS and LZAS units, and not in those of KMAS, ASLH, LMAS or LPAS units KMAS Service Manual SR_AS134ES_03, pp. 03-2–03-3; ASLH Service Manual SR_AS143ES_03, p. 03-2; LMAS Service Manual SR_AS058EF_04, p. 03-2; LPAS Service Manual SR_AS050EF_03, p. 03-2.

Check these first

Fujitsu’s owner’s manuals give no owner fix for this code. The steps are the same as for any code; the manuals’ wording is on the code 11 page.

  1. Check that it is an error code: OPERATION and TIMER blink while ECONOMY blinks fast KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-13.
  2. Read the code with Service check if your remote has it; it shows the A as a character KPAS Operation Manual, pp. En-13–En-14.
  3. Stop the unit, turn off its breaker and consult authorized service personnel, as the manuals require for this lamp pattern RLS3 Operation Manual, p. En-10; KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-12. This is separate from their rule against using the breaker for everyday on and off KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-2.
  4. Give them the code KPAS Operation Manual, p. En-14.

When to call a licensed technician

The KPAS/KPBS service manual’s checks for A3, in order KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, pp. 03-66–03-67:

  • Whether the 3-way valve is open: the gas side for cooling, the liquid side for heating. If it is closed, open it and check operation.
  • The electronic expansion valve and the strainer.
  • The outdoor fan and heat exchanger: foreign objects, whether the fan turns by hand, and the fan motor.
  • The compressor temperature thermistor, checked with it disconnected from the PCB.
  • The refrigerant amount, by checking for refrigerant leakage.
  • If none of these improves the symptom, replace the main PCB.

Fujitsu’s service manual says anyone working on or breaking into a refrigerant circuit should hold a valid certificate KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 02-1; in the US that is a technician certified under EPA Section 608. Fujitsu also warns of electric shock and sets a waiting time after power-off before electrical components are touched: 5 minutes in the service manual, 10 minutes in the KPAS installation manual KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 02-1; KPAS Installation Manual, p. En-2.

Notes for different models

  • The other K-series and L-series service manuals that list A3 have their own section for it KNAS Service Manual SR_AS159ES_02, pp. 03-60–03-61; KZAS Service Manual SR_AS137ES_03, pp. 03-63–03-64; KTAS Service Manual SR_AS147ES_04, pp. 03-62–03-63; LZBS Service Manual SR_AS048EF_02, pp. 03-39–03-40; LZAS Service Manual SR_AS024EF_09, pp. 03-39–03-40. Their temperature limits are not repeated here.
  • RLS3-era tables call it “Compressor temp. error” RLS3 Service Manual, p. 7, but their service instructions have no section for A3 RLS3 Service Instructions, p. 02-01; RLS3Y Service Instruction, p. 02-01; RLB Service Instructions, p. 02-01; RLS2 Service Instructions, p. 02-01; RLFW1 Service Instruction, p. 02-01.
  • A1, “Discharge temperature error (Outdoor unit)”, has a similar list of checks and a 230°F (110°C) discharge temperature limit KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-64. 72, “Compressor thermistor error (Outdoor unit)”, is a separate code for the compressor thermistor KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09, p. 03-2.

Related Fujitsu codes

  • A1 “Discharge temperature error (Outdoor unit)”
  • 72 “Compressor thermistor error (Outdoor unit)”

See also

Other ductless mini-splits: Daikin, Mitsubishi Electric, MrCool

All Fujitsu codes

Fujitsu is a trademark of its owner. How House Works is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fujitsu.

Sources

  1. GENERAL Inc.. KPAS/KPBS Service Manual SR_AS142ES_09. Document code SR_AS142ES_09, page stamp 2026.06.18; covers ASUH09–36KPAS/KPBS and AOUH09–36KPAS1. The 2026 revision. It adds code 45, which the earlier revision SR_AS142ES_04 does not list.. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  2. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). KPAS Installation Manual. PART No. 9387603408-01; KP series; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  3. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). KPAS Operation Manual. PART No. 9387602548-01; KP series; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  4. Fujitsu General Limited. KNAS Service Manual SR_AS159ES_02. Document code SR_AS159ES_02, page stamp 2025.10.08; covers ASUH09–24KNAS and AOUH09–24KNAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  5. Fujitsu General Limited. KMAS Service Manual SR_AS134ES_03. Document code SR_AS134ES_03, page stamp 2024.11.11; covers ASUH09/12KMAS and AOUH09/12KMAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  6. Fujitsu General Limited. KZAS Service Manual SR_AS137ES_03. Document code SR_AS137ES_03, page stamp 2025.01.09; covers ASUH09–24KZAS and AOUH09–24KZAH1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  7. Fujitsu General Limited. KTAS Service Manual SR_AS147ES_04. Document code SR_AS147ES_04, page stamp 2025.07.30; titled Service Manual for Cold Climate Region; covers ASUH09/12/15KTAS and KTAB with AOUH09/12/15KTAP1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  8. Fujitsu General Limited. ASLH Service Manual SR_AS143ES_03. Document code SR_AS143ES_03, page stamp 2024.11.11; covers ASLH09/12KNAS and AOLH09/12KNAS1, 115 V. Its code table prints blink counts only, with no wired remote controller code column.. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  9. Fujitsu General Limited. LZBS Service Manual SR_AS048EF_02. Document code SR_AS048EF_02, page stamp 2022.10.14; covers ASUG09–15LZBS and AOUG09–15LZAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  10. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). LZBS Installation Manual. PART No. 9387603187; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  11. Fujitsu General Limited. LZAS Service Manual SR_AS024EF_09. Document code SR_AS024EF_09, page stamp 2022.10.12; covers ASUG09–15LZAS and AOUG09–15LZAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  12. Fujitsu General Limited. LMAS Service Manual SR_AS058EF_04. Document code SR_AS058EF_04, page stamp 2022.10.05; covers ASUH09/12LMAS and AOUH09/12LMAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  13. Fujitsu General Limited. LPAS Service Manual SR_AS050EF_03. Document code SR_AS050EF_03, page stamp 2022.10.18; covers ASUH09/12LPAS and AOUH09/12LPAS1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  14. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3 Service Manual. No document code printed; the error table page is stamped 2015.01.06; covers ASU9/12RLS3 and AOU9/12RLS3. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  15. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3 Service Instructions. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12/15RLS3 and AOU9/12/15RLS3. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  16. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3 Installation Manual. PART No. 9320456016; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  17. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3 Operation Manual. PART No. 9320455026; no publication date printed. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  18. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS3Y Service Instruction. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12/15RLS3Y and AOU9/12/15RLS3. The cover is stamped “TENTATIVE”.. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  19. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLB Service Instructions. No document code or date printed; covers ASU18/24RLB and AOU18/24RLB. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  20. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLS2 Service Instructions. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12/15RLS2 and AOU9/12/15RLS2. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.
  21. Fujitsu General America / GENERAL HVAC Solutions America (document portal). RLFW1 Service Instruction. No document code or date printed; covers ASU9/12RLF1 and AOU9/12RLFW1. Accessed Oct 12, 2026.