My Kenmore top freezer model is turned to coldest setting but only cooling to 0-10 degrees where previously at that setting it would go well below 0. The fridge hovers between 40-50, though it also is at the coldest setting. The underneath coils are clean. The internal freezer coils are not iced up, so no evidence it is a defrost problem. Those coils appear to be evenly frosty, though I need to doublecheck at a different point in the cycle. The evaporator fan runs fine, so should be pushing air to fridge okay unless blocked, which does not appear to be the case. And the fridge does NOT run constantly, as if the compressor cannot cool it. I am wondering if the issue is with the thermostat, which tells the compressor to kick off at the wrong temp. But open to other possibilities.
Hi.
You need to check the frost pattern on the evaporator coil. It should be completely covered with frost. Next check if the return and supply air ducts clear and there is a good air circulation. Also check if the lights are not staying on when doors are closed.
If all these checks as functional you should try to replace the cold control
Good luck. Please keep us posted with the results.
Thank you.
Simon.
There’s not much frostiness on the coils after running for 40+ minutes (see photos), though air being blown by fan is definitely cold, though maybe it should be colder. Given these photos, should I bother replacing the temperature control or am I looking at some other issue?
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Hi.
Did you put the evaporator cover back for this 40 minutes? Touch with the wet finger top and bottom rows of the coils, left and right. Is it sticky all around? Have you checked the lights?
Thanks,
Simon.
Yes, evaporator cover was on. Lights go off when door closes. Will need to empty freezer and pull off cover to check stickiness. Are you asking if it’s cold and somewhat frosty by wanting to know about stickiness?
HI.
Yes, exactly. If it’s frosting up evenly so the wet finger sticks to the metal the sealed system works fine. If you have a jumper wire with an alligator clips jump the two wires of the cold control and let the fridge run (make sure you not going to cause the short) for 24 hrs to check if it will get below zero. Do not let it run with jumper for long because the evaporator coil is going to freeze up.
Thank you,
Simon.
I don’t have a jumper wire, but as a point of information, adjusted settings to 3.5 for freezer and 4 for fridge last night (had had both at 5 - coldest - and heard that can make temp issues worse), and this morning freezer is at 10 below 0, fridge now at 40, though doesn’t seem that cold to me. Evaporator fan running strong with good wind in freezer but very little air flow in fridge - not enough to put out a match. Does this suggest damper issue? I will continue to track to see if this is just an odd reading or if temp remains relatively constant.
Hi.
Put your hand next to the air damper and open the freezer door. If you will feel the air flow increase, check the air return ducts at the divider for blockage.
Thank you,
Simon.
Installed thermostat and all is right in the cooling world again. Thanks for the help!