Amana side by side purchased in 1997.
Problem: Refrigerator side not cooling below 40 degrees.

Additional info: When temp control turned fully to lowest temp, freezer side cools to about 1 (one) degree but frig side will not cool below 39 at best.

Seals are good, vacuum sucks when opening either side door.
Frig has sealed door compartment with separate cold air input which will hold a gallon of milk OJ, etc and this gets cold enough to put ice on top of the milk.

We've defrosted the frig with everything out for 4+ hours with no change. Also blown and vacuumed out the coils.

My diagnosis is that the "fresh food" Thermostatic control unit is not working. As I understand it, this control mechanically controls a damper between the freezer and the fresh food compartments. I think that isn't working or is stuck. I do feel some cool air blowing from it, but not a lot so I believe the fan is working, especially since the door sealed compartment on the fresh food side does get to around 32 degrees.

MY QUESTION: How do i remove the cover of the thermostatic control to check the status of this damper? Any other suggestions?

This unit has outlived its expected lifespan, so hate to spend the money for a service call which could go toward a new comparable side by side unit if this is a "Mickey Mouse" fix I can do. I do have 2 left hands and 5 thumbs on each one.

My wife has pretty much decided to replace this old beastie, I'm willing to make this simple check if appropriate before we give up and go buy a new one for at least a grand plus.

Thanks for any advice, comments, and snide remarks..even.

tlcmd

Thanks!
We have removed the back and all the coils were cold with a light covering of frost. I think the probem is in the passage of the cold air from the freezer through to the fresh food section.

I believe I need to be able to get into the thermostat itself. How do I remove the cover??

tlcmd

Thanks for the reply, but I told you i had 2 left hands and 10 thumbs. How do I get to the damper door on this model?. I suspect it is through the thermostatic control box on the back of the fresh food compartment at the top. If so, how do i remove that box cover? If not, how do I get to that damper door? I can rebuild a 4 barrel Rochester carb and rebuild a 454 GMC truck motor and cure Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (I'm an MD), but not a frig guru.

Thanks,
tlcmd