[jimh4938]

Hello,

I have an Amana Fridge. Fridge on top and freezer on the bottom Model=ARB190ZCW.
Recently, the fan was making noise. Much noisier than usual. Then after that the fridge stopped working and its temp rose to just about room temperature. Meanwhile the freezer temp is normal and seems to be working fine. There seems to be an intake vent in the freezer. I'm not sure if this is how the fridge gets cool, but it could be that we blocked the freezer intake to the fridge; and maybe burnt out the fan?? Anyway, looking at the diagrams for this fridge, I see that this fridge has a condenser fan and evaporator fan. There is a thermostat in the freezer and one in the fridge. The one in the freezer seems to be an actual electronic thermostat; turning on and off the compressor. However, the one in the fridge seems to be more of a mechanical linkage. Feels like its opening and closing a vent.

Are there any ideas out there as to what I should be looking for in diagnosing this problem? Is it likely a circulating fan that's gone bad? Am I reading this right and that the fridge doesn't have an electronic thermostat, but rather just a vent control? If so, which fan (evaporator or condenser) is the one that circulates cold air to the fridge?

Thanks for all help!

Jim

[denman]

Here are your parts, includes a wiring diagram.
Replacement parts for AMANA ARB190ZCW | AppliancePartsPros.com

Take a look in the Controls section Item 18, this is your damper assembly
I believe it uses a mechanical thermostat instead of closing a switch the thermostat opens and closes the vent mechanically. It regulates the amount of cold air allowed to enter the fresh food section and therefor the fresh food section temperature.

There is a good chance that your only problem is the evaporator fan, it is required to blow cold air from the freezer up into the fresh food section.

It also circulates air in the freezer you ensure that the food is evenly frozen.

Note: Blocking the cold air intake may effect the fresh food section temperature but will not burn out the fan motor. It is not uncommon for the fans to have problems.

[jimh4938]

Thanks for your help Denman.

Does the evaporator fan run continuously, or is there some control that turns the fan on/off?

Not sure I understand your point about the fan though. Looked like you said that my problem might simply be an evaporator fan, but further down, you said that it is uncommon for fans to have trouble. Are you suggesting the fan is the problem, or the damper?

Thanks again for all your help.

Jim

[denman]

Does the evaporator fan run continuously, or is there some control that turns the fan on/off?
Yes it runs all the time except when the fridge is in defrost mode

Sorry for the confusion.
I said "It is not uncommon for the fans to have problems." meaning that it is common for fans to have problems.

[jimh4938]

Thanks Denman. I'll look at the fan first. If that's going, then I'll check the damper. Thanks for all your help!

[denman]

My pleasure
Sounds like you are almost there