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We have a Kenmore (whirlpool) Side by side ref mod #106.59592990
Started as ice melting from top of freezer area and freezing on bottom racks (warm up top). Ref was warm up top yet freezing in the crisper drawers at the bottom. Both temp controls have always been kept at the factory rec settings of the arrows. Pulled product out of unit to start troubleshooting. Had cleaned lower cond coils a few months back, but did it again to get all dust off. Cond fan works well. Thought initial was ice buildup/ defrost problems. After all panels were loose got unit back up and running. The evap coils have had a thin layer of frost on all coils. The lower three coils and the incoming line that comes from the top down to the start of the low side of coil has a thicker layer. Have tripped into the defrost cycle by unplugging unit and turning off, then plugging back in. Did trip into defrost and heat all up. As checking coil patterns, had two times last week when I had to touch the evap motor to have it turn and run as other parts were running. Also had the ref not wanting to come on, or would take too long to come on. Thought it might be the Freezer thermostat control(which is on National backorder till early April). Once our ref ran, it ran forever and didn’t want to shut down. Had seen on other posts where you could tap on the ref controller and might be able to cycle the unit on by hitting it, the ref controller could be malfunctioning. Tapping would bring the unit on, and after lower temps, tapping would shut it down. If the ref turned off the compressor but the fans ran, you could also hit the control to stop all functions. Tapping was temporary, so went for the fix. **Have since replaced the wearing evap motor and switched out the ref thermostat controller (right side control). **NOW the unit does like a prestart. The thermostat clicks(which is louder than older one), and turns on the evap fan for 2-5 minutes (varies). Then you hear the click from control area and the compressor and cond fan kicks on. They all stay on to cool, which it seems to do well. After reaching temp, you hear the click and everything goes out, a half second later the evap fan motor is running again for a varying few – five minutes then stops. After a minute or so, you can tap the ref control to stop all. Have not been able to tap this time to bring it on when calling to start. Ref stays off for about ten minutes or so and starts all over. Was thinking maybe there was a capacitor problem for starting, but that would do nothing for the shutting down. Could this new ref control be bad also, or was the tapping on that ref control (right side control)putting through enough vibration to really trigger the suspected Freezer Thermostat control (left side) to connect? Suggestions?
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Hi. You may have one out of two bad parts: freezer cold control or the defrost control board Part number: 4388932
cold control Part number: 2203252
By tapping on the refrigerator control you most likely shaking the other control(s). You can check the freezer control by testing it for the continuity and /or bypassing it (jumping). Post the results. Simon.
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thanks for reply. Had tried continuity on the freezer therm (left side w off control) while control is set to on position. Continuity was across all three terms in any combination while in on position. Drops out while off. The Ref therm however only has continuity between term 1 & 2. Term 3 doesn't get anything in either on or off position. Had tried the defrost test as discribed in the troubleshooting section, and option 1 (on 15 secs off 5 for three times then off) does NOT drop it into defrost. Can get it to go into defrost if I unplug and turn off then plug back in. HOWEVER, this last time defrost only ran less than 10 min. When I tried the 15 sec off 5 sec on, it did trip into defrost for another - less than ten min.
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Hello, Per the wiring sheet for this model (attached to the post) you switched around the numbers of the defrost control tests. The option #2 implies that the bi-metal is closed. Otherwise it would not work. I would recommend to bypass the bi-metal and redo this test. Be careful to not overheat the evaporator area. Very short defrost time when you ran the option #1 points to bad Adaptive Defrost Control board. In such situation it is not necessarily to redo the option #2 test with bypassed bi-metal. Just replace the ADC board. Use the part number provided by Simon. Gene.
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thanks again for reply. Had ordered the adap defrost timer and replaced it tonight. Back to square one. On starting- sometimes - it turns on the evap fan and runs about 4 min before the compressor and cond fan kicks on and runs together. After running, most of the time, the therm will click as if therm is tripping out and all will go off momentarily like a a stalling car, and then the fans keep running. Most of the times the compressor keeps going too if the kick off is short enough. Have noticed when the click happens and you think it is shutting down, the ref side temp starts to rise for the 5 min or so before all go completely off. Still acts as though the therm is not completely opening nor closing off. Sounds simple to chg therm, but as I said that's early April before any SHOULD be available for this unit. The ref therm has already been switched out (which also had continuity on #1 & 2 term)
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Originally Posted by: Robot  ...The Ref therm however only has continuity between term 1 & 2. Term 3 doesn't get anything in either on or off position... You are welcome. I would like to confirm this test result. Basically there are two major position for this thermostat: Cold and Colder. When it is in Colder position, the normal readings should be: continuity between the terminals 2 & 1 and no continuity between the terminals 2 & 3. When it is in Cold position, the normal readings should be: continuity between the terminals 2 & 3 and no continuity between the terminals 2 & 1. Please redo this test and if the readings would not be correct, then this thermostat is the culprit. It is available and you can give it a try. - The refrigerator thermostat Part number: 2203251
Gene.
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Rank: Member
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again thanks.
Checked ref therm control (right side # 2203251) Which is the orig one replaced. Have continuity on 2 & 3 only when in the furthest left as if clicking to off. Coming off the lowest setting, cont drops and goes to 1 & 2 only. 1&2 would be in the range of our normal factory mid setting. I guess this would work as tripping by the temp probe if functioning correctly.
I had also checked the Freezer temp control (left side part # 2203251) which has contiuity in the off position only- with the two parallel wires only. In the run on position, all three have continuity.
I thought these thermostats act as switches. When the therm senses the cold it trips the system on or off. I just don't see how this would interfere with the Compressor not coming on (with the interior fan)for the first three - four minutes as cold is called nor tripping compressor off totally without the click from up top and runon for 3 - 4 more minutes.
Am I missing something? Got another idea?
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Hi.
The more I analyzing the situation the more I think that it's the defrost control board.Try to replace it.
Simon.
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thx for reply.
had just replaced the adaptive defrost timer also.
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The freezer thermostat directly controls: Compressor Condenser fan Evaporator fan (Only when the air baffle is closed) . The refrigerator thermostat directly controls Air baffle (diffuser) Evaporator fan (Only when the air baffle is open). The power to the evaporator fan motor is coming through one of the three switches in the air baffle module (air diffuser) which are operated by the air baffle motor cam. The cause of the problem could be improper performance of the switches and/or the motor. Perform the troubleshooting as instructed in the attached manual. - The air baffle (diffuser) Part number: 2209751
Gene.
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