Older Thermador Cooktop F4, CIT365GB-Series Induction: Pan Too Close to Control Panel (Legacy)

What F4 means

On older Masterpiece induction models this table lists F4 as a pot or pan placed too close to the control panel. That differs from the current Thermador cooktops, where F4 is an overheated-electronics message. The older units named in the manual are CIT304GB, CIT304GM, CIT365GB, CIT365GM and CIS365GB. You see F4 when hot cookware crowds the touch panel.

Usual causes of F4

Cookware sitting too near the control panel
Hot pan or utensil resting on the touch controls
Panel area heated by a large pan

✓ A safe check worth trying

1. Remove the pan and anything hot from the touch control area. 2. Look at where the pan sits on the element and center it. 3. Let the panel cool for a few minutes. 4. Turn the element on again with the pan centered on the cooking surface.

! Why you should stop here

Repeated F4 with a correctly placed pan suggests the panel sensor is misreading.
Control panels on this generation can be fragile and should not be pried open.
We confirm parts by model number and quote before any repair.

Taking off a panel yourself does not by default void a manufacturer warranty, yet it can lead to accidental damage, and some manufacturers attach their own service terms. Read your warranty paperwork, or ask us, before you decide.

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More Cooktop codes

U400Thermador Cooktop U400 Voltage Error Code E7015Thermador Cooktop E7015 on Current Masterpiece and Freedom Induction Models: Electronics Overheated E8207Thermador Cooktop E8207, Current Masterpiece and Freedom Induction: Zone Shut Off, Electronics Hot E8208Thermador Cooktop E8208 on Current Induction Models (Masterpiece/Freedom): Overheated Electronics F0Legacy Thermador Cooktop F0 on Older CIT365GB-Series Induction Units: Cooking Sensor Defective (Older Meaning) F2Older Thermador Cooktop F2 on CIT365GB-Series Induction Units: Element Too Hot (Not the Current Meaning) F3Thermador Cooktop F3 on Older CIT365GB-Series Induction Units: Cooking Sensor Too Hot (Legacy Meaning) F8Legacy Thermador Cooktop F8 on CIT365GB-Series Induction Units: Automatic Shut-Off After Long High-Power Use

F4F4 questions

Does F4 mean the cooktop is damaged?

Not on this older table. It says the pan is too close to the control panel, so moving it is usually enough. A persistent F4 with a properly placed pan is worth a visit.

Is this the same F4 as on new Thermador induction cooktops?

No. Current models print F4 for overheated electronics. This page covers the older CIT365GB-era meaning only, so check the model on your cooktop's rating label.

What size pan avoids F4?

The manual doesn't give a size; it only says the pot or pan was too close to the panel. Center the pan on the element and keep large cookware away from the controls.