Zanussi ZCV46250BA F104 error code: temperature sensor fault, safe checks, cost and repair time

• F104 immediately at power-on or before the cavity warms usually points to the sensing or control path, not just a one-off overheat event.
• F104 after several minutes of preheat is more consistent with a sensor drifting out of range, an overheat cut-out reacting early, or a heat-management issue once temperatures rise.
• On the ZCV46250BA, it matters whether the top oven, the main Thermaflow oven, or both cavities show F104, because the model-specific spares catalog separates several oven control parts.
• If the code appeared after a power cut, note whether the clock reset. The manual says the oven may not heat until the time is set again.

1. 1
   Take a photo of the rating plate or PNC first. The official spares page lists multiple ZCV46250BA PNC versions, so this matters before a part or engineer visit is booked.

   ExpectedYou can match any quote or spare to the correct PNC version.
2. 2
   Watch which temperature indicator comes on and whether the cavity starts warming before the code returns.

   ExpectedYou can tell service whether this is a no-heat fault or a heat-then-trip fault.
3. 3
   Listen for cooling-fan airflow while the oven is heating and after switch-off. The manual says the cooling fan should start automatically and continue until the oven cools.

   ExpectedYou can report whether the fan behavior looks normal or absent.

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4. 4
   Check only external basics: tripped fuse or RCD, blocked vent area, or a flashing clock. Do not remove panels, wiring covers, or internal oven parts.

   ExpectedYou rule out simple power or setup problems without crossing into unsafe repair.

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Treat the oven cavity that throws F104 as out of service until it can heat and cool normally without the code returning. If F104 appears on every start, during preheat, or alongside burning smells, repeated fuse trips, or abnormal cabinet heat, stop using the cooker and isolate power until it has been inspected.

• Do not keep retrying preheat cycles just to see if the code will disappear.
• Do not assume it is only a display glitch if the cavity stops heating or the fan behavior changes.
• If one cavity seems normal but the fault spreads or power protection trips, stop using the whole cooker.

The cheapest outcome is GBP 0 if one reset plus clock setup clears the fault permanently. On the official ZCV46250BA spares page checked for this update, parts visible for this model ranged from about GBP 24 for the Oven Overheat Protection Thermostat to about GBP 42 for the Main Oven Front Switch, about GBP 77 for the cooling fan assembly, and about GBP 124 for the user interface board before labour and call-out.

• Ask for the quote against your exact PNC, not only the model label.
• If service confirms a control board or fan-related repair, parts cost can climb well above a simple thermostat job.
• Prices move over time, so use the official parts page as a guide rather than a fixed promise.

The homeowner part is short: allow about 5-10 minutes for the reset, clock check, and separate top-versus-main-oven test. After that, repair time depends on diagnosis and parts availability. As a rough planning estimate, the on-site portion of a thermostat, switch, or airflow-related repair is often around 1-2 hours once the correct part is in hand, but waiting for the exact PNC-matched part can add days.