Freezer 28 & Fridge 57 Degrees

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

Two days ago noticed our 7 yrs 7 months old GE Side by Side GSS25QGTAWW was running warmer than usual. Freezer consistently at 28-32 and fridge in the 50’s. Quite a bit higher than the usual zero for the freezer and 37 degrees for the fridge. Just like I have done over the years as preventative maintenance I pulled it out, took the bottom rear panel off did a total cleaning of the Condenser Coils, Condenser Fan & Motor, Compressor, etc.

I pretty much had the feeling that was not going to fix the problem, and of course it didn’t. So, I did my research and found the most probable causes for this issue was Dirty Condenser Coils (which as stated already cleaned), Evaporator Fan Motor/Heater/Thermostat, Condenser Fan Motor, Thermistor, Compressor, & the Main Control Panel/Board (MuthaBoard).

Of course the Compressor is the most expensive repair, only to be done by professionals and usually not cost effective on an older model. The Compressor seems to be fine. So does the Condenser Fan Motor except for every now and then even though it seems to be spinning at the proper speed it makes a squeaky/squealing noise that I have had to tinker with to get it to stop.

I have not yet tested any of these parts with my Multimeter. After doing a visual inspection on most of them and from the past history of over the years we have had several power outages that have shut down our appliance’s, central A/C & heating, etc. I am tempted to just go ahead and order a new Main Control Panel, Thermistor, & Evaporator Fan Motor and then use the process of elimination. Although the Panel is pricey.

Any suggestions or helpful advice is most appreciative. Thanks for your time and patience. :slight_smile:

2

Check the evaporator frost pattern.

3

I ordered the parts I figured would cover all the bases. A new Main Control Board, a Thermistor, and 2 Evaporator Fan Motors from AppliancePartsPros.com.

The reason I ordered 2 different Evaporator Fan Motors is because just as I thought was going to happen did happen. APP has the wrong EFM listed for my model side/side GE GSS25QGTAWW. APP states the EFM without the Thermistor Sensor built in to the harness is the correct match but in reality it is the EFM that comes with the Sensor built in to the harness that is the correct match.

After reviewing and researching the problem we were having with the freezer & fridge fluctuating everyday being anywhere from 13 degrees to 25 degrees warmer than usual and the suggestions from the pros of replacing the Control Board and the EFM both at the same time, that’s what I went with.

I first removed the old Control Board and installed the new one but the EFM never kicked in. I then removed the old EFM with the attached Thermistor, installed the new one and bingo everything is back to normal and working great. I probably could put the old Control Board back in and the EFM would still work but after reviewing a lot of the pros comments about how they have seen old Boards burn out new EFM’s and vice versa, I figured it would be best to keep both the new Control Board & EFM with the built in Thermistor installed as is.