How do you seat the steam vent on the pressure

Gasket is not seated properly or is in need of replacement.

The problem is a Signal Switch Malfunction. It has to do with the power switch and the pressure switch from what I have been able to find out. Mine doesn't have a pressure problem it just goes to E4 once you set the time. I gave the switch a good smack and it has been working for a while. This is the second time and this worked both times now. I am sure the switch will have to be replaced at some time. From what I have seen this is a very common problem. There is one way to fix this problem, albeit not the best. I was able to bypass the E4 error by completely bypassing the electronics and wiring the heater coil to get power whenever the pressure cooker is plugged in. It was a very simple job, anyone with any electrical experience can do this. The only problem is that it is a safety concern as there is no way for the heater to turn off even if pressure is getting to be way too high. There may be a pressure relief valve in the lid but the heater coil won't shut off, so don't leave it unattended! But at least this way to you can still pressure cook. Pics of process: http://s909.photobucket.com/albums/ac295/danwat1234/fixing%20the%20pressure%20cooker/

Pressure cookers rely on pressure and steam,
Do a dry run first...well not dry but with just water, (no food) especially if it's an old cooker.
Inspect for cracks or pinholes before you go ahead, a crack ANYWHERE in a pressure cooker makes it a bomb...or a flower pot.
Ensure all safety devices like the pressure regulator and blow out plug are in good condition and not plugged.
If some previous owner replaced the blow out plug with a bolt or something silly don't use the cooker till it's repaired.
Bring your pressure cooker slowly up to pressure over medium heat with an inch or two of water in the bottom.
When it starts to vent steam turn the heat down so the steam barely escapes, if it has a rocker weight it will wobble a couple times a minute.

Slow gentle heat is the trick. A cooker will run for hours like that without boiling dry.

A couple tips, use salt and spice sparingly, it's trapped in there and permeates the food.
Be careful with foods that expand on cooking like rice and dried things, they can get up and block the vents if they reach the lid.

TickMagnet

Here is a piece from someone who had the same E4 error problem:

I had this problem. I noticed that steam was coming out almost immediately and the cooker would not start counting down. Eventually, the "E4" display would appear. I determined the steam vent valve (loose piece) was not seated on the vent hole in the cover so the pressure never built up. I removed the loose piece which consists of a metal cylinder and a black plastic cover with a handle. The plastic cover was so far down on the metal piece that it would not allow the metal cylinder to seat on the vent. You can use the metal piece by itself or work the plastic cap up far enough so that the metal piece seats on the vent in the closed position. I have had no more problems - it works fine. good luck! kc

I think E2 means open circuit in thermocouple in center of bottom. E4 means no contact on pressure sensing switch at edge of bottom. Mine had E4 error. Took out switch and used fine sandpaper to clean contact points. Now it works fine.
Remove 3 screws in bottom. Remove bottom cover by turning it ~1/4" to clear tabs. Remove switch at edge of bottom with two blue wires going to it. Clean contacts and replace.

Removed the 3 screws on the bottom. There is a relay near the circuit board. Kind of looks like an old morse code relay. Just tapped out "E 4" in morse code. Plugged it in and it works fine.

The vent valve is not seated on the vent and pressure won't build up. Either remove the plastic cover from the vent valve or slide it up enough so that the valve seals on the vent. If you remove the plastic cap, you will need to manually tilt the valve to "quick-vent" the cooker. Watch out for steam burns! Should work fine after that. You need to unplug the cooker and re-plug it to reset the "E4" error message.

You can remove the plastic cover from the vent valve and it will work fine. If you remove the plastic cap, you will need to manually tilt the valve with a utensil to "quick-vent" the cooker. Watch out for steam burns! Should work fine after that. You need to unplug the cooker and re-plug it to reset the "E4" error message.

No. if the steam is coming out, the vent valve is not seated on the vent and pressure won't build up. Either remove the plastic cover from the vent valve or slide it up enough so that the valve seals on the vent. If you remove the plastic cap, you will need to manually tilt the valve to "quick-vent" the cooker. Watch out for steam burns! Should work fine after that. You need to unplug the cooker and re-plug it to reset the "E4" error message.

There doesn't seem to be any legit way of fixing this. I tinkered with the pressure sensors and valves, kicked the pressure cooker a few times, still the E4 error presented itself.


I was able to bypass the E4 error by completely bypassing the electronics and wiring the heater coil to get power whenever the pressure cooker is plugged in. It was a very simple job, anyone with any electrical experience can do this.


There doesn't seem to be any legit way of fixing this. I tinkered with the pressure sensors and valves, kicked the pressure cooker a few times, still the E4 error presented itself.


The only problem is that it is a safety concern as there is no way for the heater to turn off even if pressure is getting to be way too high. There may be a pressure relief valve in the lid but the heater coil won't shut off, so don't leave it unattended! But at least this way to you can still pressure cook.
Pics of process:
http://s909.photobucket.com/albums/ac295/danwat1234/fixing%20the%20pressure%20cooker/