Brand: Frigidaire Model Number: FGHC2331PFAA Main Symptom: Door Intermittently Wont Close What happens & when: Every now and then the refrigerator door won’t fully close. Then after a day or so it works fine.
Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:
Hi,
This one is kind of weird. The refrigerator door on this side by side will go through periods
where it won’t close all of the way. Then after a day or so, it closes fine.
I have looked at the gaskets, and the hinges (without taking the door off), and can’t see
anything that would tell me why. Of course I also verify that there is nothing in the door
trays keeping it from closing as well as any drawers stuck out.
I would think if it’s a hinge problem it wouldn’t right itself and the problem would be permanent.
Has anyone ever seen this?
Yes — I’ve seen this type of intermittent closing problem, and on FGHC2331PFAA I’d concentrate on the lower door-closing cam/bearing area, not just the hinge bracket.
What makes the cam especially suspicious is the intermittent nature. If the plastic cam/bearing is worn, cracked, or binding, the door can sometimes ride up the cam correctly and sometimes hang on it. Door load and exactly where the cam lands can change the behavior. So I wouldn’t rule out the hinge mechanism just because it temporarily starts working again.
I’d check it this way:
Open the refrigerator door and watch the bottom edge of the door while slowly closing it. It should ride smoothly through the closing cam. Look for the door lifting, dropping, or kicking outward near the last few inches.
When it’s actually acting up, slightly lift the handle side of the door while closing it. If it suddenly closes normally, that’s a strong indication of wear/play at the lower cam/bearing/hinge.
Pull the lower grille and inspect the #241917801 closer plate. Then, if nothing is obvious externally, I’d remove the refrigerator door and inspect #241990301 closely. A hairline crack or worn/ramped surface can be hard to see with the door installed.
Also check cabinet leveling. You want a slight rearward bias so gravity assists closing rather than fighting it.
One other thing I’d check while the failure is occurring is the gasket. If the mechanical cam looks good, look for a section of gasket that has temporarily rolled/folded outward or gotten stiff/deformed. The refrigerator-door gasket for this model is (Frigidaire 241510207 Refrigerator Door Gasket | Genuine OEM Part ).
My first suspect would be the lower closing cam/bearing #241990301, with #241917801 right behind it. I wouldn’t condemn the complete hinge until those pieces are inspected with the door removed. The intermittent symptom actually fits a worn/binding plastic closer better than a bent hinge bracket.