Fridge Too Cold

[Diggin It]

The hits just keep on coming. Lots of things gone wrong recently that I haven't discussed since people gripe I post too much. And now this.

Long complicated story on this Whirlpool 21 CuFt Top Mount Fridge/Freezer. Multiple issues that resulted in getting a full refund of the extended warranty. BUT it has worked flawlessly for the last five years or so. No problems at all, working as good as or better than new.

Until this morning. Messing around here on the web since it's just too hot to be outside doing much. Heard a clattering I couldn't find at first. Located it coming from behind the fridge. Figured a bug or gunk got in the fan. Unplugged it, checked the fan, all clear. Plugged it back in and no more clattering. However, it won't shut off. Cheap thermostat that sticks on the outside with a probe into the freezer is showing 10 below zero where it usually showed in the 3-10 above range. Turning the control in the fridge section down doesn't have a reaction until 'Off'. Any adjustment above there makes it run. Thermometer inside the fridge is around 30 degrees which can obviously cause stuff to freeze.

Not looking forward to spending another $600 or more right now.

 

[Jstpssng]

If you have someplace to store the contents with ice temporarily (coolers, heavy cardboard boxes lined with trash bags, et.al.) it may just need a chance to deice and thaw the thermostat. It won't cost you anything to try. I lucked out last year and found a Frigidaire scratch and dent with full warranty for $300. The only thing I can see wrong with it is a small dent in the sheet metal the size of a quarter, down near the bottom of one side.
I also have had some luck swapping the thermostat in from a dead, non similar unit. I messed around with used refrigerators and freezers for years before finally breaking down and buying a new one of each.

 

[CobyRupert]

Having a wiring diagram would be useful.
Sometimes diagram is a sticker on back of fridge, or on back of the removable panel you take off to get to "things" (coils, fans, relays, etc...)

If I had to take a W.A.G., it's probably the thermostat, or a closely associated relay with stuck contacts.

 

[Diggin It]

There's no sign of ice or frost buildup inside anywhere. It all looks clear. One thing I forgot to mention is a small circle of moisture on the outside back, upper right quadrant. Maybe two inches in diameter. Very hot and humid (dew point just under 80) here right now and no central air in the house so the kitchen is not A/C'd. Moisture could just be condensation, but I've never noticed it there.

Schematic doesn't tell me anything. Very simple system, fan motor, cooling system, switches, but a lot of it is contained in areas that are not accessible. Almost a sealed system in some ways.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The way I understand it, a modern day fridge only has the cooling in the freezer and the cold air is brought into the fridge compartment. If I recall, on my fridge, the fridge temperature control was really only a damper allowing varying amounts of fan forced cold air into the fridge. That may help you understand what is happening or not.

I would be happy to have my GE Profile (Bottom Freezer) fridge get that cold!

 

[CobyRupert]

There's no sign of ice or frost buildup inside anywhere. It all looks clear. One thing I forgot to mention is a small circle of moisture on the outside back, upper right quadrant. Maybe two inches in diameter. Very hot and humid (dew point just under 80) here right now and no central air in the house so the kitchen is not A/C'd. Moisture could just be condensation, but I've never noticed it there.

Schematic doesn't tell me anything. Very simple system, fan motor, cooling system, switches, but a lot of it is contained in areas that are not accessible. Almost a sealed system in some ways.

The way I understand it, a modern day fridge only has the cooling in the freezer and the cold air is brought into the fridge compartment. That may help you understand what is happening or not.

I would be happy to have my GE Profile fridge get that cold!

Ah yes! Another WAG: If cold air can't go through ducts in freezer where it's "made" to refrigerator where thermostat is, compressor will run and never shut off because thermostat is never satisfied.
Are you sure fridge is colder than usual?

During humid weather, frost build-up is more excessive and coils (& maybe duct) get blocked. Also, when fridge enters it heating (defrost) cycle, they sometimes rely on a little drain hose that takes water to a tray on top of compressor where motor's heat evaporates it. On many, this drain hose has a little nipple/boot on the end of it that can get clogged, defrost cycle then melts ice where it pools instead of drain, then re-freezes into an ice dam.
Cut the nipple off, and (manually) defrost freezer coils (blow dryer speeds things up).

I wonder if it was ice that hit the fan?
I think you have to pull fridge out to access compressor area / drain hose from back , but will likely have to take off an interior panel at the back of the freezer (or may fridge) to check things out.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ Yeah, that's what mine does. Small fan pulls air down from the freezer and the 'cold control' in attached to the top of the fridge are. That control was replaced as part of the series of problems a few years back.

I unplugged it for a few minutes again, cycled that control a few times, then set it at '1' where it was set at about '3' before. That was shortly after starting this thread. As of now, the freezer thermometer is showing around 7 above. The box shut off a few minutes ago, so I'll have to keep a close eye on it for a while.

Hoping this was some kind of weird glitch, contact hung up, etc.

Like I said this whole box has been on borrowed time for the last five years and I've been expecting it to fail, but this just isn't a good time.


Anybody know for SURE if the MyLowes discount applies to these or not?

 

[Diggin It]

I wonder if it was ice that hit the fan?
I think you have to pull fridge out to access compressor area / drain hose from back , but will likely have to take off an interior panel at the back of the freezer (or may fridge) to check things out.

Fan and compressor are in the bottom back and easily accessible. That's where it seemed like the noise was, but no ice possible there. Other systems are behind a false back panel inside the freezer. I can open that up, but it's complicated and means pulling everything out including the ice maker. When I had all the trouble before, I cut a 'window' in that panel to be able to see the coil area. There is no visible ice/frost buildup, but that doesn't preclude a clog somewhere I can't see it.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I find it immensely useful to understand how ones particular unit works in trying to troublehoot it. I am convinced this will even put you ahead of many techs that supposedly repair such things. Often by replacing expensive parts in the process of elimination.

My issue was a clogged drain line, but I had hi temperature.

 

[kenmac]

the freezer should read in the - range to be able to freeze ice (if you have ice maker) somewhere around -3 deg.
The unit will shut down at some point to allow time to defrost the freezer. (defrost timer) There are heater coils in the freezer section that freezes and needs to be thawed. ie frost free freezer.

Someone gave me a good side by side last week because they said ''I hear it running, but it won't cool'' I said ok
Took it home pulled the back off. Fan running compressor hot.
I know the compressor is off on over load. I check the small contactor.
sure enough, contactor is bad.. Replaced contactor and it's cooling just like new.

I use this fridge in my garage which isn't cooled, and it keeps drinks ICE COLD !