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I have Kitchenaid refrigerator KBRA22ERSS01. The other night it started making a consistent running noise and in the morning was warm and the temp was increasing quickly. I used a long brush to clean underneath which was a MESS. A repairperson came to check it and said it was dead and recommended a new one. Its only 10 years old. We plugged it back in, moved the freezer contents to our chest freezer, and put some ice in there to keep the fridge cool (circulating). Here’s where the story gets odd: 24 hours later the temp dropped again! And is now back to normal 48 hours later. Will this last (the repair place I called in confusion says no)? We have ordered a new one but if this one is BACK TO LIFE that would be great!
The condenser coils being dirty is the number one cause for failure. Just like your air conditioners #1 is a clogged filter. A ten year old frig is not old. I have a frig that is 30 years old that I use for a beer box. Condenser Coils are Dirty If the refrigerator is not cold enough the condenser coils may be dirty. The condenser is like a radiator and must stay clean in order to dissipate the heat which was removed from the inside of the refrigerator. As the coils get dirtier the refrigerator becomes less efficient, which makes it work harder to cool down. If the coils are dirty enough, the unit will never be cold enough and will not be able to cool the inside of the refrigerator to the proper temperature. Evaporator Fan Motor If the refrigerator is not cold enough, the evaporator fan motor might have failed. Every refrigerator has a set of coils called an evaporator. The refrigerator may have one or more evaporator fan motor(s) depending on the model and evaporator locations. The evaporator fan motor circulates the cold air from the coils thru the compartment. If there is only one evaporator it is in the freezer side. If the fan is not working, no cold air will get to the refrigerator compartment. The freezer may still get cold. Condenser Fan Motor If the refrigerator is not cold enough there might be something caught in the condenser fan motor blade, or the condenser fan motor might be defective. The condenser fan motor draws air over the condenser coils to cool them. The condenser fan motor is located underneath the refrigerator near the back. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall and remove the access panel to access it. Start Relay If the refrigerator is not cold enough, the start relay may be defective. The start relay is a small device mounted to the side of the compressor. It provides power to the run winding along with the start winding for a split second at start-up to help get the compressor started. If the start relay is defective the compressor may run intermittently or not at all and the refrigerator will not get cold enough. The start relay should be replaced if defective. Temperature Control Thermostat If the refrigerator does not get cold enough the temperature control thermostat might be defective. The thermostat allows power to flow through to the compressor, evaporator fan and condenser fan. If the cooling system fans and compressor are running, but the refrigerator or freezer is not cooling correctly check for an airflow or defrost system problem. Start Capacitor If the refrigerator isn’t cold enough the compressor might be having difficulty starting. The start capacitor serves as a battery to give the compressor a little boost during start-up. If the start capacitor is burned out the compressor might not be able to start and run as often as it should. Test the start capacitor first with a capacitance meter, they don’t fail often. If it’s defective, replace it. Thermistor If the refrigerator is not cold enough the thermistor might be defective. The thermistor is a sensor which monitors the air temperature. It is connected to the control board. If the thermistor is defective the refrigerator does not cool or may cool continuously. Temperature Control Board If the refrigerator is not cold enough the temperature control board might be defective. The temperature control board provides the voltage to the fan motors and compressor. These boards are often misdiagnosed. Check all other components to be certain this is the cause of the problem. Compressor If the refrigerator is not cold enough, the compressor might be defective. The compressor is a motor which compresses the refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant through the evaporator and condenser coils. There are several other components which are more likely to be defective if the compressor doesn’t work. If the compressor itself is defective a licensed professional will need to replace it. Main Control Board If the refrigerator is not cold enough the main control board might be defective. This is not common. Check the defrost system, cooling fans, and cooling controls first.
Hi @John Balliet , What is the model number of the refrigerator? Can you hear if the evaporator fan is operating? It is located in the freezer compartment behind a panel. If you open the door the fan should stop. When the door is closed the fan should start again. You may have to place your ear next to the fridge cabinet to hear it running and stopping etc. It will only run if the compressor motor is also running. Do not confuse this fan with the condenser fan which is outside the compartments near the compressor. It can run whether the doors are open or not
Hi @Paul Walsh Can you hear if the evaporator fan is operating? It is located in the freezer compartment behind a panel. If you open the door (either door) the fan should stop. When the door is closed the fan should start again. You may have to place your ear next to the fridge cabinet to hear it running and stopping etc. when the doors are shut then open. It will only run if the compressor motor is also running. You could also try manually operating the freezer door switch and listen or feel the air from the vent, inside at the back of the compartment, if the fan starts operating. The switch is not only for the light, it also signals the control board to turn off the evaporator fan because the door is open. By manually operating the switch you fool the control board into thinking the door is shut so it turns on the fan and the light goes out Do not confuse this fan with the condenser fan which is outside the compartments near the compressor. It can run whether the doors are open or not. If you can’t hear the evaporator fan running at all, you have to check if the fan is iced up, faulty or perhaps the fan power circuit is faulty. Remove the panel inside at the back of the freezer compartment to expose the evaporator unit and the evap fan If it is iced up it is a defrost problem. This could be a faulty defrost heater, blocked drain or faulty control board. If it is not iced up you need to check the fan circuit, either the fan motor or the power to the fan
