Refrigerator not cooling, but freezer is working

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
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21

— Begin quote from Gene;215904

The problem is not solved, the diagnostic is not done properly - why do you have to pay?

— End quote

ahhh…I mistyped originally - should have been "hate to pay"…but, problem remained - thermostat was replaced but no cool air. That said, after reading through these threads all morning I self-diagnosed and determined I needed to try the evaporator fan motor. Local repair shop had one in stock, grabbed at lunch, drove home in the evening and, thanks to the schematics on this site, pulled the thing apart and switched the motor and fan in a matter of minutes. Presto. Cold air, refrigerator operating perfectly. Saved me either $1800 on a new fridge or another $150 on a repair call, either way you dice it.

Which leads me back to the original service call. They don’t want to hear my complaint which is, even if the thermostat needed replacing (and I believe them - I saw the coils encased in ice and the ruptured thermostat) shouldn’t the repairman have plugged the thing in prior to reassembly just to ensure the fan was blowing (or stuck his hand in front of the fridge vent to ensure air was moving)? Lesson learned. Next time (hoping there isn’t one) I’ll come here first.

So - back to the original question, though - would failure of thermostat cause the fan motor to go - or vice versa?

22

The fan motor has nothing to do with the thermostat. They are absolutely separate.

I’m glad you were able to diagnose and fix it it. Good job!

Gene.

23

I have a HOTPOINT fridge, model number HTS22GBMARWW

I have noticed a weird buzzing noise from my fridge the past couple weeks. The freezer works just fine. My wife opened the fridge last night and the fridge was warm. At first I thought she just left the door open but found out the fridge wasn’t cooling. My first thought was a filter or vent but then thought that if it was a vent the freezer wouldn’t be working. I can hear the compressor behind the fridge running. However, instead of a quiet hum, it’s sounds like an aggressive loud hum. Any Ideas. I don’t have an ice maker.

24

— Begin quote from iandylan2330;233605

I have a HOTPOINT fridge, model number HTS22GBMARWW

I have noticed a weird buzzing noise from my fridge the past couple weeks. The freezer works just fine. My wife opened the fridge last night and the fridge was warm. At first I thought she just left the door open but found out the fridge wasn’t cooling. My first thought was a filter or vent but then thought that if it was a vent the freezer wouldn’t be working. I can hear the compressor behind the fridge running. However, instead of a quiet hum, it’s sounds like an aggressive loud hum. Any Ideas. I don’t have an ice maker.

— End quote

What is the exact temperature in the freezer?

Can you pinpoint that noise?

Here are the breakdown diagrams and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=211279

Gene.

25

Have a maytag msd2641keb side by side. coils ok. frig warm freezer cold cleared return area of ice and frost, fan starte bac up, but stopped when freezer door was closed. some frost forming on back bottom wall of freezer.

26

I have a GE TBFM17VC refrigerator that I inherited and am having issues with. The freezer will cool down to 2.0 deg F on coldest setting, but the fridge maintains the same temp of 50deg despite cooling setting. Nothing is in the fridge except some beer, and there is no ice on the back panel in the freezer, also the freezer fan is blowing strong. I can not detect any fan movement in the fridge. Whats my next step? Thanks.
Don

27

— Begin quote from elderdjrobjr;240481

Have a maytag msd2641keb side by side. coils ok. frig warm freezer cold cleared return area of ice and frost, fan starte bac up, but stopped when freezer door was closed. some frost forming on back bottom wall of freezer.

— End quote

Sorry for the delay.

Remove the rear panel in the freezer and check how the evaporator is covered with snow. Post the results.

Here are the breakdown diagrams and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5177485&diagram_id=1340767

Gene.

28

— Begin quote from homebrewdon;243345

I have a GE TBFM17VC refrigerator that I inherited and am having issues with. The freezer will cool down to 2.0 deg F on coldest setting, but the fridge maintains the same temp of 50deg despite cooling setting. Nothing is in the fridge except some beer, and there is no ice on the back panel in the freezer, also the freezer fan is blowing strong. I can not detect any fan movement in the fridge. Whats my next step? Thanks.
Don

— End quote

Don,

Make sure the freezer temperature control is set on "A" or "B". Wait about 24 hours to see the difference and post the result.

Here are the breakdown diagrams and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=222121

Gene.

29

Refridgerator not getting cold, but Freezer working fine. Help GeneCoils were iced over. MAybe defrost not working?? how do I troubleshoot this on my Maytag MSD2758GE…

30

GE TFX26ZPDA side by side
I found the fridge wasn’t getting below 65 but freezer is working. After reading the thread I noticed the back panel of the freezer hasn’t defrosted in a while. I’ve unplugged the fridge and removed the inside panel of the freezer to see tons of frost. I removed the heating element & it measures 1M ohms which I’m guessing should be closer to zero ohms. Is that correct & how do I know if I need to replace the thermostat also?
Hoping to get some help troubleshooting.

Thanks,
Kevin

31

— Begin quote from bunji69;258528

…Coils were iced over…

— End quote

Sounds like there is a faulty defrost system. Very common problem with Maytag refrigerators and the solution, most likely, is to replace the adaptive defrost control (13 on the diagram). You also have to defrost the evaporator coils manually. A hair dryer may help.

Here are the breakdown diagrams and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=48115

Gene.

32

Kevin,

The defrost heater is bad. No doubt about it. It comes with the new defrost thermostat, so you do not have to worry about it.

Here are the breakdown diagrams and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=228838

Gene.

33

Thanks Gene. I had only seen the heater sold by itself. And thanks for providing the part link.

Kevin

34

You are welcome Kevin. Keep us posted.

Gene.

35

Hi,

My refrigerator is Whirlpool ED25RFXFW01. The refrigerator is not cold enough on Sat, but the freezer is working. On Monday morning, the freezer is not working and the ice cream is melting. Funny thing is the freezer is working again after I came back from work on Monday evening.

Can you tell me where to check and which parts that I need to replace?
If you have the picture link that will be greatful.

Thanks,

Steven

36

— Begin quote from stevenycc;278591

Hi,

My refrigerator is Whirlpool ED25RFXFW01. The refrigerator is not cold enough on Sat, but the freezer is working. On Monday morning, the freezer is not working and the ice cream is melting. Funny thing is the freezer is working again after I came back from work on Monday evening.

Can you tell me where to check and which parts that I need to replace?
If you have the picture link that will be greatful.

Thanks,

Steven

— End quote

Steven,

The first thing I would do is remove the rear cover and clean the condenser. Make sure the fan next to the compressor is working.

Here are the breakdown diagrams and http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=251104

Gene.

37

— Begin quote from Gene;278997

Steven,

The first thing I would do is remove the rear cover and clean the condenser. Make sure the fan next to the compressor is working.

Here are the breakdown diagrams and Replacement parts for WHIRLPOOL ED25RFXFW01 | AppliancePartsPros.com

Gene.

— End quote

Hi Gene,

Thanks for reply. I clean the condenser and it is working. It looks like the defrost probelm, b/c the coil is iced. Does my model has the defrost control? How to check whether defrost heater problem, defroster timer problem, or defrost thermostat problem?

Thanks,

Steven

38

Steven,

Are you sure the evaporator is frosted up? Normally it suppose to be covered with a thin snow.

Gene.

39

— Begin quote from Gene;279411

Steven,

Are you sure the evaporator is frosted up? Normally it suppose to be covered with a thin snow.

Gene.

— End quote

Is it a thin snow or frost? Please see the pictures.
Thanks,

Steven

40

Steven,

So far it looks good. As long as it is not blocking the air flow, it’s fine.

Gene.